School Counselor and LGPC
ACADEMIC SKILLS (8TH GRADE)
At William Wirt Middle School, I led two sections of an Academic Skills Group, driven by data and designed to serve students who were at risk of not graduating. In this group, we completed activities designed to emphasize the importance of taking clear notes, staying organized. completing assignments, advocating for oneself, and paying attention.
SESSIONS AND RESOURCES
SESSION 1: INTRODUCTION
February 14, 2019
For the introductory session, the group filled out a pre-survey, established norms, and did an icebreaker activity. The group played Jenga with icebreaker and growth mindset questions.
SESSION 2 (GROUP A): NOTE TAKING METHODS
February 28, 2019
Students were taught four ways to take notes. Once discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each methods, students took notes on a superhero passage from Mrs. Thomas's 'OWL'standing Class Blog
SESSION 2 (GROUP B): ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
March 1, 2019
In an organizational activity, group members were shown two identical backpacks. Two volunteers were instructed to race to find a piece of paper with an X on both sides.
SESSION 2 (GROUP B): BACKPACK #1
March 1, 2019
When group members opened their backpacks, one was very organized, making it easy to quickly find the paper.
SESSION 2 (GROUP B): BACKPACK #2
March 1, 2019
When group members opened their backpacks, the other was messy, making it harder to find the paper.
SESSION 2 (GROUP B): ORGANIZATIONAL STUDY TIPS
March 1, 2019
At the end of the session, students were given a handout the I designed to help students learn organizational skills
SESSION 3: HOMEWORK COMPLETION
March 7, 2019
To discuss the importance of completing assignments, students were given sandwich bags with set amounts of marbles in three different colors. Each color represented a different requirement for the class (homework, assessments, and classwork). The bags had possible scenarios on them (see above). After reading the scenarios, students debated whether the student would pass and verified by putting the provided marbles into a jar and comparing whether the marbles passed a line drawn on the jar.
SESSION 3: GRADE BREAKDOWN HANDOUT
March 7, 2019
To illustrate grade distributions for different classes, students were given this worksheet. It also served as a reminder of the activity completed during the session and the importance of doing each assignment
SESSION 4: SELF-ADVOCACY
March 14, 2019
Students learned what it means to self-advocate and how to do it using the SHARE acronym:
Sit up straight,
Have a pleasant tone,
Activate your thinking,
Relax,
Eye contact
SESSION 5: TERMINATION
March 28, 2019
The group ended with a discussion of what students learned and what they plan to do moving forward. Members also took a post-survey.
CUT FOR TIME: FOCUSING ATTENTION
Cut For Time
Students are shown a set of 15 words individually and then asked to write down how many they remembered. During the second round, another counselor would make noise in the background via text notifications, emails, music, etc. while the group leader showed the second set of words. Students would discussed which was more difficult and the skills they used to concentrate.
Session was cut due to time constraints
ATTENTION HANDOUT
Cut For Time
A handout I designed to help students with attentional skills
RESULTS
Process Data: ​10 students participated in the academic skills group, divided into two sections
Outcome Data:
100% of group members increased their Quarter 3 grades in at least 2 classes.
90% of group members increased their Quarter 3 grades in at least 3 classes.
60% of group members increased their Quarter 3 grades in all 4 core classes.