Hi, my name is Samantha Evans and I am the new Guidance Counsellor at ERWBBS. I have been in education for 14 years, teaching a variety of grades in elementary and middle school. For the last 8 years I have been a Learning Support Teacher and Guidance Counsellor. I completed my Post-bachelor in Counselling in 2012 and my Masters in Counselling Psychology in 2017. I am passionate about creating an environment where students feel safe and welcome. My hope is for all students to love coming to school! Please call or email if you have any questions or concerns at (204)467-5537, sevans@isd21.mb.ca.
Here are two programs that we are diving into at ERWBBS:
The Zones of Regulation is a simplified way to think about our emotions in terms of 4 colours. When students can put their emotions into one of 4 categories, they can begin to choose the right tools to self-regulate and become more self-aware of what triggers a specific emotion.
https://zonesofregulation.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66ogmkG98pI
The Social Thinking Methodology provides strategies to help students develop social competencies, become flexible thinkers and problem solvers. This program targets conversations and social connection, executive functioning, friendship development, perspective taking and self-regulation.
https://www.socialthinking.com/
Below are some picture books to help with specific topics.
Many of these books are read aloud on YouTube.
Please preview them before sharing.
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst – a picture book about being connected to the ones you love even if you can’t see them.
Click image for YouTube Video
The Dream Jar by Johnson Lindan Lee – a picture book where an older sister helps her younger sister find a way to turn her nightmares into beautiful dreams.
Click image for YouTube Video
The Way I Feel by Janan Cain – a picture to help children learn about their feelings and understanding that all feelings are good.
Click image for YouTube Video
The Color Monster by Anna Llenas – a picture book that encourages children to open up and discuss how they are feeling especially when we have more than one feeling at the same time.
Click image for YouTube Video
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson – a picture book about friendship, judgement and bullying
Click Image for Your Tube Video
The Worrysaurus by Rachel Bright – a book about letting go of your worries and fears and feeling happy in the moment.
Click Image for You Tube Video
Julia Cook is a children’s book author who writes books with very specific topics to help families and teachers: https://www.juliacookonline.com/book-julia/ .
Below is a link for a book that supports the Zones of Regulation program we use at RWBB:
https://zonesofregulation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Zones-Book-Nook-1.pdf