March 31st

The students watched a demonstration of how the electronic babies work, what items are sent home with the babies and what the student will be scored on. They learned about the check-out and check-in times and procedures. There is also a report option that any student who chooses to opt out of the baby simulation can do to earn the points instead. The first babies will be checked out starting on the Friday after spring break and students sign up for a weekend as they return their parental permission slip.

March 30th

Students had an end-of-term test today on the Communication and Critical Thinking units. We discussed this test yesterday and what they would be tested on and needed to study. We will start the Relationships unit tomorrow.

March 29th

We discussed what sexual harassment is, why people harass others and what to do if it happens to them or if others complain about it occurring. We then watched a video on Sexual harassment.

March 25th

Students learned about and discussed harassment of all kinds today. We discussed the types, why it is inappropriate and how this behavior makes others feel. We also checked their grades and citizenship for 3rd term and made sure they were accurate/correct.

March 24th

Students continued watching a film which shows real-life examples of critical thinking skills in action and taking a risks and responsibility for themselves. We will finish this film tomorrow.

March 23rd

Students discussed responsibility and how it relates to the risks we take and the consequences which may occur because of our choices.

March 22nd

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.

March 19th

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.

March 18th

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. Today was also the last day to turn in any late.missing assignments from this term and any extra credit, including late and hall passes from this term. New passes will be given out for next term next week.

March 17th

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. Students then watch and answered questions on a video entitled "Get a winning attitude." They were also warned that the last day for any late/missing work, extra credit and anything else for their grade is due on Thursday, March 18th. No exceptions will be made.

March 16th

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, March 18th.

March 15th

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.

March 12th

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, March 18th.

March 11th

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 discussed why our brains may see something different then everyone else.

March 10th

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.

March 9th

Students had a sub today and learned about values. Students turned in a paper for participation points from questions asked about a story called "Test day".

March 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.

March 5th

The students watched a video titled "Relationships... When they help, When they hurt." The video was about using communication to build relationships and gave examples about when people use communication to tear down a relationship. At the end, we discussed how to use constructive forms of communication instead of destructive in our relationships.

March 4th

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.

March 3rd

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

March 2nd

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 and watched an educational video about nonverbal communication.

March 1st

Students played the "Game of Life," the board game, seeing some of the things that may happen in real life. They answered questions on a sheet about some of the things that happened to them during the game and turned it in at the end of class for points.