March 8, 2013

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 7, 2013

Students not only discussed listening skills, but how to actively listen and why it is important. Listening activities were also done in class to learn about listening to directions the first time, the importance of asking questions when something is not understood, and listening to what is going on around them.

March 6, 2013

Students learned about Non-verbal body language today. We focused on being attentive and observant while communicating with others and looking for hidden communication cues.

March 5, 2013

Students continued with the communication unit. We continued learning about destructive types of communication and focused on gossip and swearing.

March 4, 2013

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.

February 28, 2013

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.

February 27, 2013

Students had a mid-term test today on the Independent Living Skills unit. We discussed and reviewed for this test yesterday and what they would be tested on and needed to study. We will start the communication unit tomorrow. This test is worth 50 points on their grade.

February 26, 2013

Students spent class playing a review game for their Teen Living Mid-term test, which will be tomorrow!

February 25, 2013

Students learned the latest statistics about teens in Utah and the high rate of suicide. We tied his in with the different emotions teens feel and why they need to be able to practice good stress reducers to avoid getting to the point where suicide feels like the only option.

February 22, 2013

We discussed positive and poor coping mechanisms people use to try and deal with or runaway from the stress in their life.

February 21, 2013

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.

February 20, 2013

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.

February 19, 2013

We talked about three communication styles: aggressive, passive and assertive. Students identified the styles by statements made by or descriptions about the three styles. Then in groups, they role-played one of the three styles to understand what they look like.

February 15, 2013

Students finished the video on Teen Anger and turned in the questions from the video. We then learned about the consequences of uncontrolled emotions and behavior.

February 14, 2013

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. We also started a video on Teen Anger and will finish it tomorrow.