EdCamps, A New Blog, and MY NEW FAV COUNSELING RESOURCE!!!!!

Good evening, y'all! I hope you are all having a great weekend! I am sure you are all super busy with high school planning, testing, and transitions starting to fire up!!!

A few weeks ago, I posted a picture of my fun day at an Ed Camp! It was my 3rd Ed Camp to attend and I had some messages and a comment asking what they are!! So, today I wanted to share what an Ed Camp is and how you can use it with other counselors, educators, staff members, and even students!!!!

What is an Ed Camp???

Below is a great definition.

Basically, its an informal conference. Attendees show up and by the use of sticky notes or a Google Doc list topics that they would either like to learn about or facilitate. Those organizing the Ed Camp combine the topics based on interest (there may be multiples) and then assign them to a room for all of the sessions.

What is really cool about it is that it is NOT a "sit and get." Everyone can interact and ask questions. If you don't like the session, it' more than okay to walk out and go to a different one. It is very laid back and interactive.

As I said, this is my 3rd one. You get out of it what you put in.

Below are some ideas of ways to use Ed Camps:

• Counselor Specific Ed Camps-this would be a great way to share resources, trade ideas, and grow your PLN
• Campus Ed Camps-teachers could come with areas they need support or things they want to learn more about. As a teacher I would love this because I would feel like I could choose what I go to AND I can get what I need from staff development
• Student Ed Camps-you could have a social/emotional Ed Camp where students could learn about relaxation tips, anger management, and self esteem, (if those are the areas they are interested in). You could give a topic and they could create the sessions! 

I will be at a conference this week in Orlando and I hope to participate in an Ed Camp there!!


Another thing I wanted to share with you all is a new blog me and my principal/mentor/friend created! It is called Principals with Purpose. We wanted to start it because we both share the same educational beliefs and wanted a way to continue to collaborate with each other because we know we won't always be able to be at the same campus. There is some good stuff, y'all! She is awesome and I learn so much each day from her.  You can check it out HERE.

Last, I want to share a really neat resource with you. Many of you have probably heard of Go Noodle! It is a free website that has indoor recess ideas, brain breaks, and music for kids. Yesterday afternoon, I was relaxing with my 8 year old and he said we should do relaxation. I was trying not to laugh but then he brought up Go Noodle. From the main page (you will need to create a free account), you click CHANNELS. From there, click FLOW.  There are tons of neat, calming videos. I was thinking of when I was an elementary counselor, how perfect these would be for my "friends" that had cool off time with me. They are the perfect amount of time and there is even a voice that guides them through!!!

Here is an example of one called Think About It. It is for when students have hurt feelings.
See it HERE or below

Y'all if I was still a counselor this would be one of my NEW FAVORITE resources!!! Love that my own kids think it's so neat and that it is FREE!!!!!!

Next on the blog, I have a OOTD (Outfit of the Day) post and my 5 favorite items of the month!!! Make it a great week....you are AMAZING!