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

October 27th

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 26th

We have finished our etiquette unit and went back to our critical thinking unit. Today, we discussed good judgment and how it affects our decisions and values. A few notes were taken, but nothing was due.

October 25th

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. Students who are going on the La Caille field trip need to meet Thursday after school at 3:25 by the office. If students are driving with their parents or parents are meeting us there, you need to be there around 4:15 and we will be seated at 4:30.

October 22nd

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 21st

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 28th 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 the end of school today. Students will then take their receipt and permission form to class and turn it into the basket by 3:00 p.m. 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 after that time.

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.

October 19th

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 18th

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.

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 we discussed why everyone sees things differently.

October 12th

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 11th

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 8th

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 7th

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.

October 6th

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 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.

October 4th

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 shown in the movie clips.