Mueller Charter School School Counseling Program: Classroom Guidance Results Nathan Locke Marcela Munoz

Guidance Curriculum Presented in all four 5 th grade classesPresented in all four 5 th grade classes Guidance curriculum was a two day presentation during November and December of 2007Guidance curriculum was a two day presentation during November and December of 2007 Met with 5 th grade teachers to coordinate lesson.Met with 5 th grade teachers to coordinate lesson. LessonLesson –Developing a positive body image Influence of peers and media Recognizing negative and positive messages Identifying positive characteristics in themselves Learn strategies to deal with verbal bullying in school.

National Standard Personal / Social A Students will acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect themselves and othersStudents will acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect themselves and others

Student Competency A1.1 - develop attitudes toward self as a unique and worthy person. A1.4 – understand change as a part of growth. A1.10 – identify personal strengths and assets. A2.3 – recognize, accept, respect, and appreciate individual differences.

Goals of the Lesson Two of the goals of this lesson were: Two of the goals of this lesson were: 1.To increase students’ acceptance of their body. 2.Acquire strategies to deal with verbal bullying.

(California Healthy Kids Survey, 2007) Why are we teaching this? 47% - Students being teased because of the way they look 49% - Students who do not feel comfortable with their bodies

Research tells us  “Students who are teased about their body can become isolated from friends and school and become vulnerable to risky behaviors.” (CHKS,2007)  According to the Search Institute, students who become caring and responsible adults have 40 researched-based developmental assets. Two of which are: 1.Personal conflict resolution skills 2.A positive self-image

Research says –Achievement Related Data: Research tells us a poor self image can lead to a drop in school attendance, as well as an increase in behavior referrals. –Achievement Data: Which in turn may lead to failing classes and/or dropping out of school.

What do they BELIEVE? Pre 59% Disagreed or Strongly Disagreed with the statement Post 77% Disagreed or Strongly Disagree with the statement “I believe real beauty should be measured by the shape of models and actors in magazines and on television.”

Belief Question: “I believe real beauty should be measured by the shape of models and actors in magazines and on television.”

What do they BELIEVE? Pre 35% of students strongly agreed Post 52% of students strongly agree “ I feel comfortable with the shape of my body”

Attitude question: I feel comfortable with my body

Skills Question: Anti- Bullying Strategies 49% identified strategies 85% identify strategies Pre Post

Students who can identify anti-bullying strategies This is a 73% increase!

All 120 students in 5 th grade received this guidance lesson As a result, It is out hope that the Spring 2008 CHKS survey will show that Mueller 5 th grade students have developed a more positive body image. Results

Results: Behavior Referral Rates This is a decrease of 47% !

Implications / Limitations Using developmentally appropriate visuals Use a sample group to test the Pre- Post. Pre assess student knowledge

Recommendations Translate the Pre-Post test according to the languages spoken at your site. During the process, you may find idioms that cannot be translated. Talk to teachers about the lesson before hand. That way you may be able to align the lesson with grade level curriculum and standards. Give pre-post test to a sample group before administering to the class. Survey students before hand to avoid re-teaching them information they may already know.

Next Steps Post test results have shown that students have developed and/or have the skills to develop a positive body image. We need to wait for Spring 2008 CHKS data results. We will analyze and report the results ASAP.

The school counseling program is contributing in a meaningful way to the personal development and academic achievement of all students. Thank you for your support

The End

Reference California healthy kids survey: Technical report for Mueller Charter (Spring 2007). WestEd.