Describes several practical ideas for using poetic expression in an elementary school. Notes that counselors can promote increased sensitivity and insight among children while assisting them in achieving greater cognitive, emotional, and behavioral awareness of themselves, others, and their environment, by using poetry. (ABB)

Describes the use of art counseling in elementary schools, illustrated with a case study. The sessions involved serial drawing, in which the counselor asks the child to draw a house, tree, and person, as well as free drawings. (JAC)

Describes the development, implementation, and instrumentation of a needs assessment model for elementary school students, including primary grades. A personal approach, presentation of the needs assessment as an oral script, relevant examples, and student questions are suggested to ensure the success of this activity. (JAC)

Argues that poor and minority students' access to quality teachers can significantly narrow the achievement gap. Describes research showing the effects of quality teaching on academic achievement and teacher-quality provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act. Suggests several ways to improve teacher quality such as salary increases, subsidized…

Discusses development of a culturally relevant school counseling program for immigrant children which includes needs assessment, inservice training, training school counselors in cross-cultural counseling, incorporation of interpreters and consultants, appropriate diagnostic procedures, preventive and intervention programs, an advocacy role for…

Discusses the needs, problems, and issues of the Hawaiians, focusing on cultural differences in values in group orientation, concept of time, communication and learning, and appropriate behavior. Provides recommendations and implications for counselors of Hawaiian children. (ABL)

Describes assumptions underlying brief strategic intervention and distinguishing it from other intervention approaches. Presents case study of third grade student with problem of vomiting to illustrate school counseling technique of brief strategic intervention. Includes depiction of some basic steps school counselors can follow and some…

Discusses ways that elementary school counselors can help children with attention deficit disorders. Defines attention deficit disorders with and without hyperactivity and describing characteristics of the disorders. Discusses role of elementary school counselor in areas of teacher education, identification of the disorder, as school liaison, as…

Explains attachment theory and posits that, if proper bonding and subsequent attachment, usually between mother and child, does not occur, the child develops mistrust and deep-seated rage. Presents evidence of the problem of attachment disorders, lists symptoms of unattached children, examines treatment of attachment disorders, and discusses…

Discusses role of school counselor as consultant on discipline within schools. Reviews two popular school discipline models: Obedience models, based on the premise that telling students what to do is permissible and that punishment is effective intervention for misbehavior; and Responsibility models, focused on helping students to accept personal…

Describes methods by which counselors in elementary and middle schools use music in their work to introduce, enhance, or review guidance lessons. Offers a song about feelings that has been composed specifically for these purposes. Describes a variety of other methods that incorporate music into the counseling and guidance of children in…

Discusses four issues that are keys in the relationship between hearing children and their deaf parents as they relate to individual counseling of the hearing child: interpreting, communication, feelings toward parents, and role reversal. Concludes counselors should help children to explore and understand similarities and differences between their…

States and then unmasks myths about Mexican-American students that have hindered public schools from fulfilling their mission. Myths focus on Mexican-American culture; Mexican Americans' intelligence quotient; attitudes and aspirations of Mexican-American parents; and education and achievement of Mexican-American students. Describes Mexican…

Explains how brain separates foreground from background in response to its continual need to simplify the surrounding environment; discusses educational/counseling implications of growing understanding of relevant brain mechanisms and processes; and suggests nontechnical explanations and discussion ideas that counselors can use when working with…

Considers ways that elementary school counselors can help children who are grieving over the death of a parent. Explains process of grieving, presents developmental considerations, and identifies adults in the school who can work together to help grieving child. Explores role of school counselor in this process, providing 20 recommendations. (NB)