Question

Annie is a fourth-grade student in Ms. Garcia's homeroom class. For the past few days, Ms. Garcia has noticed that Annie has not been as engaged with her classmates as usual and seems withdrawn. Ms. Garcia asks the school counselor for help with Annie. The counselor's first step should be to

A. ask Ms. Garcia to keep an observational log of Annie's behavior in class
B. contact Annie's parents to ask how things are going at home
C. ask Ms. Garcia to ask Annie to come see the counselor the next day
D. explain to Ms. Garcia other ways to engage Annie in class activities

Answer 1

The counselor should first ask Ms. Garcia to log Annie's behavior, then use that information to support further steps, including engaging Annie in class.

Step-by-step explanation:

The school counselor's first step should be to ask Ms. Garcia to keep an observational log of Annie's behavior in class. This log would include detailed notes about Annie's engagement levels, interactions with classmates, and any other notable changes in behavior. Such data is critical in identifying patterns and determining the next steps. It also allows for an informed approach when engaging with Annie directly or when involving her parents in discussions about her behavior. Secondly, the counselor can also consider suggesting strategies for Ms. Garcia to engage Annie in class activities, potentially drawing from everyday interactions or class routines to open lines of communication and make her feel more included.