October School Counseling Activities
Now that Back to School Season is out of the way, it’s a great time to start building relationships and connections with your students through meaningful and relevant games that address SEL (Social and Emotional Learning). And who doesn’t love a good monthly theme? I know I sure do!
As an elementary school counselor, you probably already know the importance of incorporating self awareness lessons into your counseling work. But have you considered how incorporating games can make these activities even more effective? Let’s explore the benefits of combining fun with self awareness of feelings to promote social-emotional learning. With October now in full swing, it’s the perfect time to try out some of these October elementary school counseling games with your students.
1. Feelings Maze Race
Now I LOVE a good race game! Let’s face it, kids love the thrill of finishing their assignments and flexing on other players with a loud “I’m done!” Friendly and healthy competition is always a good social skill. This maze race has that and more. Themed with Halloween images and clip art, students start the maze, and ask they approach each feelings face, they have to find a classmate who has experienced the feeling on the face, listen to the classmate tell a story about when they experienced the feeling, and then they may continue through the maze. It’s a new twist on old fun and students LOVE this activity! You can give out prizes for the first one done, or you can reward everyone for positive and healthy communication. Disclaimer: This game can make your classroom very busy and very loud. Shut your door and let the kids guide themselves through the activity. The noise will be worth it. Trust me……
If doing this with a classroom full of 25 third graders isn’t your thing, try it with a small school counseling group, put it in a center, or guide students through it as a group work warm up.
2. Coping Skills Puzzles
Kids love puzzles and frankly, so do I! I created these EASY puzzles for students to color, cut, and reassemble. There are tons of ways to use these, and they make great center activities. The actual pieces are very easy rectangles, but the picture that is created by the puzzle is the tricky part. Each piece has a coping skill for students to read and explore. These are a great conversation starter.
- Use the black and white copies to let students color, cut, and give to a partner to reassemble.
- Print the color copies, let students cut and assemble.
- Print and laminate the color copies, store in a baggie, and allow students to complete the puzzles at center time or for morning work.
3. Halloween Themed Daily Check in
Daily feelings check-ins with students are an invaluable tool for creating a supportive environment at school that promotes emotional well-being, positive behavior, and academic success. If your students use chromebooks or other technology every day, use these check in forms as their “Do Now” in a Google Classroom or Google Slides assignment. The resource is both digital and printable so if you’re looking for something to college or have students share, print them for more fun. Black and white copies are great for coloring. I love these as a lunch bunch placemat too!
To save yourself time and make this a part of your classroom routine, look here for a yearlong bundle of monthly themed check in forms!
When it comes to promoting social-emotional learning in elementary school students, it’s essential to incorporate fun and engaging activities that promote self-awareness of feelings. Activities such as mazes, puzzles, and coloring check ins can help students understand and recognize their emotions better. These October elementary school counseling games not only promote these important skills but also help students bond with each other in a healthy, fun way. Give them a try in your classroom or school counseling sessions and see how easily they can open up the floor for healthy conversations about emotions, social skills, and more!