Psyched About School

Are you looking for ways to strengthen phonemic awareness in your students?  This hour-long webinar from Understood has numerous activities that are fun and practical to implement individually or in small groups.  They also share several computer programs and apps (some free and some that must be purchased) that can be used to reinforce phonemic awareness skills.  The presenters explain how to implement the activities and why they will work.  Check it out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LX3-4pg58M

Did you know our department puts out a newsletter several times a year?  The articles are written by members of our very own staff.  This month's topics include retention, collaborative and proactive solutions to behavioral and emotional problems, Khan Academy, and the benefits of early reading exposure.  To see our newest edition, click on this link: http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us/cms/lib/NC01001395/Centricity/Domain/47/September%202015.pdf You can find past issues if you visit our department's webpage: http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us/Page/786

Last year we posted an article from Edutopia about the 5 homework questions every teacher should ask.  It included recommended guidelines from the National PTA.  If you did not get a chance to read it, here is a link to that information. http://schoolpsychws.blogspot.com/2015/05/is-homework-helpful-5-questions-every.html Here is another comprehensive article from MindShift that covers how much homework students are actually doing, how much homework is being completed by students in other countries, how much homework is too much, and the actual effect homework has on student performance and achievement.  The thing we like most about this article is that the information is backed by research. Let us know your thoughts. http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/09/22/what-kinds-of-homework-seem-to-be-most-effective/

As we close out Suicide Prevention Month we wanted to share some quick tips on how parents and educators can support children's mental health. Click on the link to find some easy tips and great references for how we can all better support our students. Let us know if you would like more information about a certain topic or strategy! http://www.nasponline.org/resources/mentalhealth/mhtips.aspx

　 Children's Self-Esteem by Ann Vernon and Ginger Calhoun Since it first emerged into the psychological spotlight, the term "self-esteem" and its importance to one's mental health may seem to be over-used, and possibly misunderstood. It almost goes without saying that everyone needs positive self-esteem, but what is it actually? How is it created and would you recognize it if you saw it? Self-esteem is essentially self-evaluation and self-judgment. Nathaniel Branden, one of the foremost psychologists writing in this field, has identified two basic components. The first is having an innate confidence in the ability to face whatever comes one's way. Secondly, inherent in one's self-esteem is self-respect and having the assurance that one's personhood has value and that one is worthy of happiness. Self-esteem is developmental, and there are many who influence its growth in children. Parents, teachers, relatives, siblings, and peers all add to or ta...

Teachers, it is hard to get hyperactive kids to sit still, right?  Well, there is an interesting new study from a researcher at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.  The research suggests that by letting those kids fidget, it actually increases their focus and performance.  This article from Mindshift summarizes the findings from that study.  It certainly gives us a different perspective when trying to figure out ways to instruct AD/HD kids who have difficulty sitting still. http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/05/15/let-kids-fidget-in-class-why-it-can-be-good-for-those-with-adhd/

As we continue to talk about suicide prevention during Suicide Awareness month, the N.C. State University Counseling Center has released this powerful video.  The video features three N.C. State students who attempted suicide but survived. They hope the video will help people feel more comfortable talking about mental health issues, especially suicide. At the end of the clip the students offer encouraging words of support that could touch the lives of our students who may be feeling the way these students did.  Although the video has a positive message for our high school students, we encourage teachers, counselors, parents, and guardians to review it first. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR6YBcwkA7k

In a sample of more than 6,000 students nationwide, African American children were the only group where preschool oral narrative skills were a significant predictor of emergent literacy skills. Research out of the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute shines on light on something in education we may be missing. As we talk about development we first learn to speak, then read and then write, each skill providing us with essential information needed to move onto the next. This is an intriguing article, that I hope we can reflect on, share discussion about, and hopefully change how we foster this skill for our students, who knows it may be the key to unlocking a magical door. http://fpg.unc.edu/news/storytelling-skills-support-early-literacy-african-american-children

Each month, Psychological Services will be introducing various staff members. First on our list is Marty Farmer. Marty has been a school psychologist for 27 years. She has worked 24 of her 27 years in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. Marty enjoys working with students one-on-one and figuring out their individual learning styles. Currently, Marty is the school psychologist for Meadowlark Elementary, Meadowlark Middle, and Clemmons Elementary. In years past, Marty has served as a school psychologist for 12 other schools in the district. In her free time, Marty enjoys reading, knitting, and playing the trumpet. One interesting fact about Marty is that while she attended college at UNC-Chapel Hill, she had a class with basketball star Michael Jordan. Thank you Marty for all of your years of service!

The topic of self-injury is one that not many people want to discuss.  Although it is not well understood (even some of the research is unclear), the prevalence of these behaviors is shocking (this article suggests that 12 to 24% of young people have tried it).  This article from Cornell University explains what self-injury is, who is at-risk for these behaviors, the dangers associated with self-injury, and how to detect whether someone is engaging in self-injury.  It is important to understand self-injury and what drives it so that we can help young people learn more effective coping skills. http://www.selfinjury.bctr.cornell.edu/perch/resources/what-is-self-injury-9.pdf

AFIRM: Autism Focused Intervention Resource and Modules, is a great resource for our teachers who have contact with students with Autism. A training technique: Time Delay , was recently featured in the News and Resources email from the Frank Porter Graham Childhood Developmental Institute (also a great resource for up to date information coming out of NC; you can sign up to receive emails from them as well). Time Delay: is a response prompting procedure that systematically fades prompts during instructional activities.It is used to increase students academic, social, communication, motor and play skills. The module offers each person training in the basic knowledge of TD and applying it to the classroom setting. The module takes about 1.5- 2 hours to complete, and with many modules offered through the state, you can stop and then come back and complete it whenever it is convenient for you. Also... its FREE! AFIRM also offers modules for Peer- Mediated Instruction and Intervention, ...

We posted this link on Twitter last week from the National Association of School Psychologists.  The  printable pages include resources for youth, parents, and educators on how to create safe and supportive learning environments, identify students at risk, and provide support following a suicide or attempted suicide.  One student is too many!  Please take the time to read this important information. http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/suicide-resources.aspx

Last year we posted a blog on one of our favorite books, Wonder by R.J. Palacio.  In case you missed it, check it out here: http://schoolpsychws.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-wonder-by-rj-palacio.html This year, R.J. Palacio is encouraging entire classrooms to "ChooseKind" by inviting them to take The Certified Kind Classroom Challenge.  This is a great opportunity for your class to win a ChooseKind classroom banner and become eligible for other great prizes.  ChooseKind fits in nicely with the WS/FCS support of Rachel's Challenge.  Teachers could consider reading Wonder with their class and taking the ChooseKind challenge.  Although Palacio believes that just one act of kindness can make a difference, she hopes entire classrooms can have an even greater impact!  To learn more, visit her website. http://choosekind.tumblr.com/certified-kind-classroom-challenge?ref=92FCCE87CCCA&utm_source=RH_Children\%27s&utm_medium=Social_Media&utm_con...

As the newness of the year starts to wear off on some of our students, we begin to see more behaviors emerge that get our attention or behaviors continue that we thought should have been distinguished already. In the article below, David Pitonyak provides us with important tips on simple things we can do to support the person who may be having some difficult behaviors. Also at his website www.dimagine.com you can find more useful tips and information about students with behaviors. Take a look around and let us know what you think or if there are other behavior supports you feel are important to consider with our students! http://www.dimagine.com/10things.pdf

Check out the article on the WS/FCS website about the new staff members in Psychological Services. We have enjoyed getting to know them and are excited for you to learn more about them! http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=1&ModuleInstanceID=12708&ViewID=047E6BE3-6D87-4130-8424-D8E4E9ED6C2A&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=186252&PageID=1

I must admit I haven't seen it yet.  My children went to see it with their grandmother and had very different perspectives on the movie.  I've heard this movie can open the door to conversation with your child about emotions, especially the role they have on our behaviors.  This article by MindPsi does a great job of explaining why this is such a great movie for you to see with your child. We would love to hear your thoughts on Inside Out.   http://mindpsi.net/blog/the-emotions-of-inside-out/

Even though school has only been in session for two weeks, many students are already experiencing stress.  In spite of our best efforts, some of them lack appropriate coping strategies for dealing with that stress.  Throughout the year, we will be posting blogs to help you teach students more effective and healthy ways to cope.  Here are five really smart ways to help them lower the stress in their lives from psychcentral.com http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/09/23/5-stress-busters-for-students/

Are you looking for some new ways to check for understanding in your students and to find out what they have learned?  The folks over at Edutopia have complied a list of 53 ways to do just that!  Check it out! http://www.edutopia.org/resource/checking-understanding-download?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=checking-understanding-link