CLASSROOM GUIDANCE
Students in grade K-5 will see the counselor at a minimum of 6 times a year within the classroom setting. Themes vary year to year based on the needs of the classroom.
Kindergarten
Early in the year the counselor makes several visits to each class. These visits are aimed at introducing students to the school counselor, and helping them understand the role that the school counselor plays as a member of our school. Students learn that counselors spend time in classrooms talking and teaching about friendship, cooperation, and problem solving.
First Grade
This is an exciting year for the counseling program. Children are taught the entire Kelso program. This is an intensive curriculum to teach the skills of conflict resolution. We use stories, games, and role plays to help students learn and internalize the nine choices that will help them solve small problems.
Later in the year, the students are introduced to the Champions of Dignity. This program includes the stories of four superheroes with the super powers of personal control, communication, acceptance and understanding, and problem solving. It is the hope of the counselor that these high interest role models will help children to remember their own super powers when need be.
We continue to enhance the student's emotional learning by utilizing bibliotherapy. Age appropriate books are chosen to explore topics such as honesty, friendship, accepting diversity, and responsibility. A key reason for having such an active program at this grade level is to help the children feel comfortable with the counselor. It also allows the counselor to get to know the students.
Second Grade 
Second grade counseling curriculum is a review of the Champions of Dignity and Kelso programs. At this point it is also a continuation of the character education program that began in first grade.
Third Grade
The focus in third grade is character education. Personal responsibility, honesty, and friendship are explored. A program that we will be piloting this year is entitled Don't Laugh at Me. This program focuses on enriching children's emotional, social and ethical development. Lessons target topics such as character education, conflict resolution, bullying prevention and community building. The activities from the program involve cooperative discussions, writing, art projects, and role playing. Whenever possible the lessons are integrated into curriculum topics in the classroom.
Fourth Grade 
This year, study skills have been added to the fourth grade guidance curriculum. Students will be taught some practical ways to organize themselves, manage their time, and study more effectively. In addition, they will receive character education based lessons based on various literature resources. The lessons are presented to coincide with English Language Arts curriculum topics. Students practice note taking and other organizational strategies related to the stories shared in class. Reading topics cover areas such as Acceptance and Respect, Bullying Prevention, Self Confidence, Diversity, and Tolerance.
Fifth Grade
In fifth grade, the counseling curriculum speaks to the upcoming transitions the students will face as they become adolescents and move on to the middle school. Programming will target topics such as cliques and bullying as well as respect for self and others. Cooperative games and activities will be used with the students to help them learn the power of strong communication skills, while having fun.
last modified by S. Paulson, 2005.