Minute Meetings: What, Why and How?

For the past few years, I have heard about minute meetings. This year I’ve decided to give it a try. So, here is what I have found in my search.

WHAT ARE MINUTE MEETINGS?

Students meet with a counselor 1:1 in the hallway for a quick check in.

Here is what other school counselors have to say about meeting minutes.

http://www.schoolcounselingfiles.com/blog/category/minute-meetings

https://prezi.com/8gik5y4xej_g/school-counselor-minute-meetings/

http://jyjoynercounselor.blogspot.com/2012/09/minute-mtgs-w-tech-spin.html

http://afellowschoolcounselor.blogspot.com/2013/07/just-lazy-tech-filled-sunday.html

WHY MINUTE MEETINGS?

• Students love 1:1 positive attention. With minute meetings, each students can be assured, “My counselor knows me!”.
• Students are reminded that the school counselor is a support person they can talk to.
• Counselor will get to know a student’s self-perception on things like school, family, friends, worries and needs.

HOW CAN I RUN MINUTE MEETINGS?

Click here to see the sample excel-sheet sample and here for the blank-excel-template for minute-meetings

Here is how I ran my minute meetings.

1. I started small. I met with only 5th graders for this year, thinking next year I’ll add another grade level.  I had 5 classes of about 24 students each. I met with each class for 30 to 45 minutes pulling kids into the hallway for a minute-ish each. The other students were doing an activity (watching an intro to Growth Mindset video and answering questions about it … with a word search on the back) Here is the PPT I send to teachers with the hyperlinks of videos embedded. ppt-for minute-meetings
2. I used an Excel Worksheet with a few simple question using this form to document the student’s needs and answers to my questions. I like using excel because I can sort each column to triage.
3. I asked the students 4 questions where they could answer by telling me or pointing to a number. Easy Peazy. And then I asked a follow up question if warranted or if there was time. Here is the 0-to-10 likert scale you can print out for them to look at while you chat.
4. Each student answered the questions as we sat in 2 chairs in the hallway and upon finishing went back in the class and tapped another student to come.

What were the benefits of minute meetings?

• Students loved the 1:1 attention. I got face to face time with 125 students in 3 days.
• I learned things about students I wouldn’t have known otherwise.
• I got pre-post measures of self-perception for any 5th grader I might invite to be in a small group… and now I know who might be good candidates for some of my groups.
• Other staff noticed and asked, “What are you doing in the hallway with the kids?” My principal walked by several time. This was a great way to SHOW a great new program.
• 125 students heard a grown up say, “If you ever need anyone to talk to, I am here for you”.
• I emailed the teachers afterwards  (here is the email) to reinforce my appreciation of their flexibility of doing this unorthodox “lesson” and got great feedback.
• Would I do it again? 100% yes!