Using Target Dollar Spot Items in Your School Counseling Program

The Target dollar spot is a gold mine for school counselors!  I'm always on the lookout for fun, interactive items to add to my school counseling program. Target always seems to hit the mark! Since my school budget is next to zero, I appreciate finding high quality items for a reasonable price. In addition to lower prices, I love that Target changes its merchandise frequently. This has given me the opportunity to update some of my older lessons and helps me avoid falling into a rut of doing the same old things over and over again.

I frequently use hooks or props in my school counseling program. A prop is an object that is introduced in a lesson that illustrates an important point or concept. Incorporating props in your school counseling setting can increase student engagement and can be a valuable resource in helping to add enthusiasm. The pressure to keep students attention is a daily struggle and can feel overwhelming, especially this time of the school year! It's amazing how small trinkets or props can make a huge impact with classroom lessons and individual/group counseling sessions. Here are 3 easy examples of using props from the dollar spot in your school counseling program.

Items bought at Target dollar spot

There were so many fun things to choose from, it was difficult to narrow it down! I loved ALL the bright, colorful items. My office is quite small, so I try to be really selective regarding what things I bring into my work space.

COOL DOWN CUBES

These colorful ice cubes come in a bag of 12 cubes for $1. The "Cool Down Cubes" have become a great interactive activity for my students.  My students have related well to the concept of completing a calming strategy to "cool down" when having negative feelings. You can write calming strategies on each ice cube or CLICK HERE for this FREE download. Place ice cubes in bucket, have students pull out one ice cube at a time and complete the calming strategy listed. 

STAY COOL MEMORY GAME

These "Stay Cool" drink coasters complemented the "Cool Down Cubes" perfectly! They come in a package of four coasters for $1. This activity brings good discussion of a variety of different calming strategies students can use when feeling anxious, angry or stressed. CLICK HERE for this free download. Cut out calming strategy circles and glue on back of coasters. Play like the game of Memory.  The student with the most matches, wins the game.

LEMONS TO LEMONADE-GROWTH MINDSET ACTIVITY

I have a soft spot for anything thing lemon related! How fun are these decorative lemon tags?? They come in a package of four for $1. I spend a lot of my time helping students reframe their fixed mindset to a growth mindset. CLICK HERE for a free download of this activity. Cut out circles and glue on back of lemon tags. Place lemon tags in cup. Students take turns pulling out lemon tags and reframe fixed "sour lemon" mindset statements to a positive "sweet lemonade"growth mindset statements.

Adding props to your school counseling program gives you a chance to have fun and be creative! Dollar spot items are an easy way to help increase student engagement and help make your lessons more memorable. Want to read more about using props in school counseling? I wrote an article for Confident Counselors on this subject.  CLICK HERE for more details.

What fun things do you use in your school counseling program?