Elementary School Group Proposal

Elementary School Group Proposal Sara A. Goldman Portland State University

Elementary School Group Proposal

Rationale In elementary school, children are presented with many new situations, especially children coming from impoverished backgrounds. Many of these children have never been exposed to different cultures, including the dominant middle-class culture, which they are expected to adopt if they are to succeed in a normal school environment. Many of these kids need extra support in connecting with positive adults. This is often the first time that kids have the opportunity to reach out to caring adults, apart from their immediate families. The group in this setting will address making friends, appropriate pro-social behaviors, and exploring healthy positive adult relationships. In guidance we help kids recognize safe adults and safe touches. The group would also address tools to help children become more responsible for their own choices and behaviors. This includes teaching them ways to respond to difficult situations. Giving them tools (walking away,

Elementary School Group Proposal talking it out, sharing, listening, cooling off) to utilize during a difficult time all awhile recognizing that some problems are big (illegal, unsafe, dangerous) and small (sisters hitting me, Johnny took my pencil etc).

Type of Group This group will be a personal growth and skills training group for children between the ages of 8 and 10. The group will consist of 4 to 6 students who will meet for 45 minutes each week. The group will be an open group, but with structure, meaning that students will be allowed to graduate from the group, and other students may join as the teachers and administrators see fit. Students will stay in the group for at least 10 weeks, but maybe allowed to stay longer if more support is needed. This openness will allow new students to learn from the older students in the group. Regular attendance will be required. During the group meeting students will participate in discussions and activities pertaining to the topic of that week. There will also be space allowed for students to talk about their own challenges and successes.

Goals and Objectives

Elementary School Group Proposal The group will help school age children recognize appropriate pro-social behavior, being responsible for their own behaviors, and create friendships with peers

and the group leaders. The primary goal of the group is to help children enhance social-emotional growth by providing a healthy environment in which they can explore their relationship with themselves, their peers and the adults in the group. The following objectives will be utilized in attempting to accomplish these goals: To develop a caring and appropriate relationship with an adult outside the family unit To develop a stronger sense of self worth and belonging Identify personal strengths and weaknesses Recognize alternative ways of dealing with conflicts and engage with these strategies when dealing with difficult situations Create and recognize personal peer relationships

Basic Information The group will be lead by the school counselor. The cost of the group will be minimal, as the counselor will be using regular school supplies which are available in the supply room. The participants will be identified through their teachers, the

Elementary School Group Proposal

special education team, school administrators, the school counselor and through family referral. The group goals are general enough that there is a possibility for several groups of different ages. While the proposed group is for students between the ages of 8 and 10, with a little adjustment, the group could be applicable to nearly all students of elementary age. It would be best for developmental reasons and ease of group administration that the groups of children be fairly homogeneous in age and grade level. The group will be fairly structured with exercises and activities built into every session. There will be occasion for some unstructured talk time, but as the group is for younger, less developed individuals, most of the time will be structured.

Topics for the Group The group will start off by acclimating any new members to the group, including going over the rules and goals of the group. Each session will focus on a different topic, with some of the meetings simply being a place where kids can feel how a positive relationship can work. Other types of activities will include: Goal setting Appropriate touching

Elementary School Group Proposal Identifying feelings Team building Friendship discussion Personal responsibility discussion Choosing appropriate reactions to difficult situations

Evaluation Methods At the start of the group, and as each child joins the group, the children will be given a simple survey concerning feelings about self, school, and friendship. Questions will be as clear and concise as Do you like school? Do you have at least one friend? Do you have at least one adult in your life you can trust? and Is there at least one thing you can do well? Also, there will be the initial information gathered by which the children were referred to the group. This information comes from teachers, school administrators, the school counselor, and family. At the end of the group, the children will re-take the simple survey. Also, information will be gathered again from the same sources which provided the original referral. Also, the group leader will be able to see how each student is progressing, both in the group, and outside of the group. Observable behaviors should be briefly

Elementary School Group Proposal documented by the school counselor.

References Acosta, O., Nabors, L., Tashman, N., & Weist, M. (1999). Quality Improvement and School-Based Mental Health Programs (DHHS/PHS Contract H133B90022). Rockville, MD Full text http://www.fmhi.usf.edu/institute/pubs/bysubject.html Coy, D.R., & Gallager, J. (1998) A New Emerging Role for School Counselors: Communication Activity Therapy for Families. Sydney, Australia. Retrieved from http://www.eric.ed.gov:80/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_sto rage_01/0000019b/80/16/1f/94.pdf Gravelle, F., Pare, D., & Smith, D. (2002). Alternatives to School Suspension: An intervention for At-Risk students. New Orleans, LA: American Educational Research Association. Retrieved from http://www.eric.ed.gov:80/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_sto rage_01/0000019b/80/1a/56/c8.pdf Sullivan, M. E. (2001). The Room Under the Steps; Creating a sense of community for Socially-Emotionally Disturbed Adolescents (Masters Dissertation). Retrieved from http://www.eric.ed.gov:80/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_sto rage_01/0000019b/80/19/23/b3.pdf