October 29th

Students continued to discuss responsibility today and we focused the rights and responsibilities they have and how they are responsible for for their role in a group, including in families. They also were given printouts of their grade and citizenship and the students were given time to check for any mistakes I may have made.

October 28th

Students finished watching and discussed examples of critical thinking from the film "On Our Own." They also had to turn in their assignment from this film which was worth 20 points.

October 27th

Students started watching the film "On Our Own" which shows a real-life example of critical thinking skills in action and students taking a risk and responsibility for themselves. We will finish this film tomorrow. Students had to identify 10 times in the film the children exhibit good judgment and 10 times they exhibit poor judgment. This will be turned in tomorrow for 20 points.

October 26th

Students learned about and discussed risk today. We covered the seven categories of risk, why we take risks and what consequences could result. They read stories about risks taken and what happened to each person involved in the stories.

October 23rd

Students had a lesson on decisions and consequences, as well as responsibility. Students had a journal entry, answered a questionnaire entitled "Best Interest Test," and discussed decisions and consequences, responsibility and critical thinking and how they all relate to each other.

October 22nd

We discussed the appropriate do's and don'ts when dining and finished up our discussion about various etiquette skills. We also watched a short video about good restaurant etiquette and also discussed appropriate bus etiquette, not only for La Caille but for any time you ride a bus.

October 21st

We talked more about etiquette that should be used in a restaurant, especially for those who are going to La Caille. We focused on dining etiquette in particular.

October 20th

Today we started our etiquette unit in preparation for La Caille. We talked about telephone and cell phone etiquette. We talked about introducing people, how to greet people and what types of things to talk about. Students were also reminded of the upcoming deadline on Thursday, October 22nd for any other late assignments or extra credit.

October 19th

Students had to write about their role model, which we then used to discuss why these people are their role models and what they did to influence them. We read a story titled "A Coach I Can't Forget" and answered questions about the story, which the students turned in after we discussed them.

October 16th

Students had a journal entry today and a lesson on attitudes. We discussed what influences their attitudes, what we can do to change our attitudes for the better and read some quotes relating to attitudes.

October 15th

Students partnered up and were given a scenario about hot air ballooning over the Rockies. They had to decide what pieces of equipment they would throw out 1st, 2nd, etc. to use their critical thinking and communication skills. They were then put into groups and had to do the same thing, but this time they had to take into account the opinions of everyone in the group. We then compared this to the workplace and working with others to solve problems. Students were then provided with the opinion of experts and what they would do in a similar situation. They were also warned about the upcoming deadline for make-up work and extra credit which is Thursday, October 22nd.

October 14th

Students had a journal entry, followed by a scenario about survivors from an ocean liner sinking. They are in a life boat and have to make a choice who they would get rid of first and second if they had to to survive. We then discussed their choices and reasons why, what communication and critical thinking skills they used and if they would have made different choices. We discussed stereotypes, diversity and workplace skills as well. The students were also reminded about the upcoming deadline for extra credit and missing work, which is next Thursday, October 22nd.

October 13th

Students discussed the importance of critical thinking and discovered ways to build and use critical thinking skills. Students learned about current research being done on dementia and Alzheimer's and what they can start doing now to help prevent the disease later on in life. Students were shown 3-D images and were also given brainteasers to work on tonight. Answers will be provided to the students tomorrow. There is a prize for the student who has the most correct.

October 12th

We discussed critical thinking. Students learned the process of critical thinking and why it's important. Using situations two teens found themselves in, we used the steps to come up with possible solutions and consequences.

October 9th

We learned about the 5 love languages: giving gifts, giving service, physical touch, quality time, and verbal affirmation. Students identified their love language by taking a questionnaire which then helped identify what type they are. They then drew pictures of different types of love languages their family or friends tend to show.

October 8th

Students discussed and read about the dangers of gossip and it's effects on people. We read the story "Confessions of a Teenage Gossip" and answered questions based on the research and information in the article.

October 7th

Students learned about inter and intra-personal communication and ANTs (automatic negative thoughts) and how they relate to how we communicate with others. We also had a visual demonstration using Mr. Box to show students what kinds of things get in the way of good communication. Students took a few notes, but nothing was due.

October 6th

Students discussed listening skills and participated in a couple of listening activities, including reading the book "Listen Buddy" and listening to common sounds and telling me what they are. Students also had to listen to verbal instructions to complete a drawing exercise.

October 5th

Today, students learned about non-verbal communication skills. We watched a video and students had to answer questions based on different non-verbal communication skills terms. This was turned in for points.