September 30th

We discussed the importance of listening today, talking about how to listen well and how it benefits relationships. We did a 'guided' walk outside: in pairs of two, one partner was blind-folded while another led them only using words; Partners then switched the blind fold and the partner who could see guided the other using no words but only touch. Most students found it easier to follow when their partner used words. A story was also read to the students and their listening skills were tested by answering questions about the story.

September 29th

We talked about verbal communication. We watched a couple short video clips about bad verbal communication and poor public speaking skills. Students learned some tips about public speaking. We then talked about the 5 love languages: giving gifts, giving service, physical touch, quality time, and verbal affirmation. Students identified their love language by taking a quiz. They then drew pictures of different types of love languages their family or friends tend to show.

September 25th

Students learned about the differences between verbal, non-verbal and written forms of communication. We then focused on non-verbal communication cues that people use to send off messages to others. We also watched a couple of video clips on verbal, non-verbal and written forms of communication at the end of class.

September 24th

Students continued with the communication unit. Today, they learned about and compared a hammer to destructive and constructive communication. A class note page was provided to the students to write notes on.

September 23rd

We started on the Communication unit today and started with learning the differences between child like, parent like and adult like communication styles. They also watched three clips from "The Emperor's New Groove" and had to identify the three types of communication.

September 22nd

Students put together their sample for this class for their portfolio. We also had a journal entry and discussed solitude and stress reducers. Students were also reminded that anything not turned in past two weeks after it's due date will not be accepted and that it is their responsibility to check Skyward and the blog site at least once a week to check on their grades.

September 19th

Students started learning about stress, stressors, and stress reducers today. We shared examples of stressors. They also learned about distress, eustress and stress reducers. They took a questionnaire to rate how much stress they have and we discussed how everyone handles stress differently. We also discussed biofeedback and handed out biodots to use to see how they are reacting to the daily stress they have in their lives.

September 18th

Students watched a presentation from our guest speaker from La Caille today. She discussed and demonstrated proper etiquette procedures students would use on dates and when dining out. Students are also taking an optional field trip on October 9th after school to La Caille. Parents are also invited to attend. The dinner is $32.00 per person and must be paid to the office by September 30th. Students will then take their receipt and permission form to class and turn it into the basket by 3:00 p.m. October 1st to be added to the list and the count. Reservations will be made that day at 3:00 and no additions or subtractions can be made.

September 17th

The students had a journal entry and an activity today. They had to visually demonstrate to me what they have learned about themselves thus far. They had to fold a paper into 8 squares had to label the eight squares:
Things that raise my self-concept:
My top extrinsic values are:
My top intrinsic values are:
Things that describe my personality are:
When I am happy I:
When I am sad/angry I:
Things that stress me out are:
Things that reduce my stress are

They had to then find or draw pictures of these things to demonstrate what they have discovered about themselves. These are due tomorrow at the start of class.

September 16th

Students discussed what makes them angry and learned the differences between hot, cold and warm anger and compared these emotions to balloons. They also read the book "When Sophie gets angry" and talked about what they can do to control their anger. There was a paper that went with this, but the students didn't turn this in.

September 15th

Students were given an activity called "Written all over your face" to help them distinguish between emotions and facial expressions. They had all of class to work on it and the answers and prizes were given at the end of class for those who had the most correct.

September 12th

We read the book "What are you so grumpy about" and discussed the seven basic emotions. Then we discussed and wrote about how these emotions are portrayed in the books they are reading and the TV and Movies they watch.

September 11th

Students discussed emotions, feelings and the affects these feelings have on us and others around us. We read "My many colored days" and we also studied how our surroundings, especially the music we listen to, can effect our moods. Students listened to clips from different types of music and had to explain how each made them feel.

September 10th

Students were supposed to identify their color personality using the Hartman color code. They told me they had done it last year during Health, so they watched a portion of Charlotte's web instead. I also explained the La Caille trip and handed out permission forms. The permission forms and money/receipt is due in to me by October 1st if they decide to attend. the trip is the night of October 9th. If you have questions about the field trip, please email me or call the school and my extension number is 1016.

September 9th

Students discussed what different factors have made up/influenced their personality. They were then shown common personality tests people have created. Today, students learned about astrology signs, the Chinese zodiac and A/B type personalities.

September 8th

Students finished watching select clips from "Charlie and the Chocolate factory" to identify each of the values each golden ticket winner had. We continued and discussed common values each member of society has and talked about setting priorities. The students then answered a series of questions to rank their values in order of priority from the most important to the least. We also discussed how our values and priorities effect the goals we set and if we will be able to reach those goals or not. We are more likely to achieve goals that we value or that we see as a high priority.

September 5th

Students started discussing values and focused on the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic values. they had to know and recognize the difference between the two types and they practiced by watching a few movie clips about children and their different types of values.

September 4th

Today, we finished up learning about self-concept by watching part of the movie "Charolette's web." We discussed how Charolette spends her time trying to help Wilbur feel better about himself and to help other's see the same things in Wilbur that she sees. We also spent some time discussing the book "Stargirl" and how she works to help others and make them feel special and how it ties in to self-esteem.

September 3rd

Students continued learning about self-concept today and focused on Self-confidence. We discussed being a unique individual and listened to a song and watched a couple of video clips on confidence. We also shared a couple of children's books which students can use with their younger siblings.

September 2nd

At the beginning of class, we read the story "You are special" and answered a journal entry question having to do with the book. We also had a "Pop" quiz to see how many of the students remembered the five types of development during adolescence. Students finished and turned in their personal road maps, which were due today. Students learned about the differences in the terms self-concept, self-esteem, and self-image, as well as how they affect all areas of our life. We were in the middle of taking a questionnaire entitled "How strong is your self-concept" so we will finish it and discuss it tomorrow.