Past projects 2
Overcoming Obstacles
Funded Nov 29, 2023Thank you for helping me purchase SEL focused books to accompany my classroom lessons. One of the books, Desmond and the Very Mean Word had an amazing impact on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes at my school. I began reading the book with the 4th graders during Peace Week in January. The teachers and students commented on how powerful the message of the book was. Because of this, I decided to read it to 3rd and 5th graders as well. This book not only provided a wonderful opportunity for me to talk to students about how to treat others and the power of forgiveness, but it allowed me to talk with students about Reverand Tutu and the struggles he experienced in South Africa.
Some of the books I purchased are being used in my classroom lessons and others are being used to support students in my small counseling groups. The Memory Box and The Memory Book are helping students preserve memories of a loved one that has passed away. The students are taking turns selecting which pages to complete and what memories they want to share. The experience has created an incredible bond between the students as they support each other through this difficult time in their lives.
I am excited to continue incorporating the books into my comprehensive school counseling program. So many of them will support the messages I share with students during Nevada Respect Week and Pece Week. Thank you again for this wonderful opportunity that Nevada's school counselors can take part in to help fund our student focused counseling programs.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Pelto
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 2 other donors.Calm, Cool, and Coping
Funded Nov 24, 2021Thank you for supporting my school counseling program. This school year was a very difficult one for so many of my students, The squishies, fidget bracelets, and calming rings were given to and used by individual students dealing with anxiety. Along with the calming strategies I taught them, the above mentioned items helped the students physically calm themselves in their classrooms. Since the students were able to calm themselves, they were able to remain in their classrooms and therefore learn more of their core subjects.
The Spot books were a great resource for my practicum student and I to use to teach kindergarten students about feelings. Being able to identify feelings helped the students learn how to self-regulate. When the kindergarteners learned how to self-regulate, there were fewer behavioral referrals to the office.
The giant coloring pages were utilized daily. They were used so much that I had to order more. When students came to my office to talk, they were given the option to color while we talked. Since coloring can be soothing and it helped the students open up and feel less nervous while talking. A student made a comment about the coloring pages that has stuck with me. As he looked at the filled in giant coloring pages, he said "this is sad." He went on to explain that all the filled in coloring pages meant that I had talked to a lot of students this year that needed help.
I would not have been able to support so many students without your support. Thank you again for your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Pelto
This classroom project was brought to life by Nevada Department of Education.