Monday, April 8, 2013

Your 3 Words Lesson


I got the inspiration for this activity from awesome school counselor Julie Ford who shared this in her Lessons That Sparkle session at last years ASCA conference.  So how many of you have seen or heard of the "Your 3 Words" campaign that was featured on Good Morning America a couple of years back?  Well I hadn't until Julie was so kind to share.  Your 3 Words is exactly what it says...you share 3 words (and that's it) about family, friends, motivation, positivity, humor, pretty much anything but you can only use guess how many words...3!!!!

So I decided to try this out with my 4th grade classes.  I talked about how people can make a lasting impression and it can be both positive and negative and that they would the opportunity to leave an impression here at JYJ but with only 3 words!  Boy did I get some strange stares then when I told them about only using 3 words.  I then showed them the video (see below) of GMA's your 3 words.  I'll warn you the song is very catchy and gets stuck in your head.


After the video, I showed the classes a few examples that myself and the counselor intern did for our 3 words.

School Counselors Rock (this is totally true)

This is also so true, sign created by counselor intern Dhruti.

I gave each student a half sheet of construction paper and told them to think about their 3 words and the power that they held.  I can say that they really got into it.
Nothings Too Hard

Always Aim Higher

Students work on their 3 words
As they finished, I took group pictures using my iPad of all the students holding up their signs which I printed and posted on a bulletin board (along with some the signs that they made).   I got lots of (positive) comments from students, teachers and parents about this activity.

Holding up our signs (I took pictures of every student holding up their sign, using my iPad).

Your 3 Words for the bulletin board made using Word (I printed these on colored cardstock).
Finished product!  I didn't have enough room to post all the signs the students made, but I had everyone's picture holding their signs.
Who knew that sharing 3 words would bring out such powerful and dynamic thoughts!








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7 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Hey Vanessa, thanks it's a pretty simple, yet powerful lesson. Thanks so much for reading!

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  2. Joshua's sixth grade teacher had them do this as a year-end reflection. Makes them think about what's really important, doesn't it? Thanks for sharing - I never thought about doing it in counseling. {Always Aim Higher} = my personal favorite!!

    Barbara

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  3. Very cool activity! I have seen adults do this, but never thought to do it with my students. Now I just have to give it a try!

    Thanks for a great idea.
    Carol
    www.themiddleschoolcounselor.blogspot.com

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  4. Oooh I like the idea of this as an end-of-the-year activity; especially with our 6th graders who will be moving on. Love your creativity!

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  5. Awesome idea! Thanks for sharing!

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  6. This is awesome! SO positive! I can't wait to try it!

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