April 1st

Students discussed ideas/ways to get along better with their family members, as well as ways they can add to the harmony in their own families.

March 31st

Students learned about how families are changing and the outside influences which are causing a lot of the changes we are seeing. We also started discussing our family relationships.

March 30th

Today, we finished answering questions about the electronic babies and I explained the report option that students can do instead.

March 29th

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 this Friday and students sign up for a weekend on a first come, first served basis as they return their parental permission slips.

March 28th

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

March 24th

The students were given their final grades and citizenship for this term. They were given time to find any mistakes which may have been made and before I finalize grades. We then spent time reviewing for their end of term test they will take on Monday.

March 23rd

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 22nd

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. Their deadline for any late/missing assignments and any extra credit they wanted on this terms' grade was also due today.

March 21st

Students discussed the way gender effects education, career choice and salary. We also compared gender equity in the United States to other countries. Participation points were given for participating in the discussion and answering questions.

March 18th

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.

March 17th

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

March 16th

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 April 14th 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 on April 1st. Students will then take their receipt and permission form to class and turn it into the basket by 3:00 p.m. on April 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 after that time.

March 15th

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 14th

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 11th

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.

March 10th

Students had a journal entry, followed by a scenerio 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.

March 9th

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.

March 8th

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.

March 7th

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 3rd

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.

March 2nd

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 1st

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.