June 5, 2015

Happy LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! Students who came to class today helped clean and organize the clothing lab. Have a great summer and good luck in High School!

June 4, 2015

No class due to the Freshman Lagoon Day!

June 3, 2015

Students were in and out of class for the 9th grade awards assembly and memory book signing, so there were no assignments today.

June 2, 2015

Today, students discussed the different types of child abuse, why it occurs and why it is more common when the parents are teens. We also discussed what shaken baby syndrome is, how it occurs and some of the most frequent reasons why. We also demonstrated to the students what happens when a baby is shaken by using our shaken baby syndrome simulator. They also watched a video on shaken baby syndrome which shows the aftereffects of this type of abuse.

June 1, 2015

Students took their final end of term test during class today. There are NO REDOS for this test. This will be placed on their grade and they will see their final grades tomorrow. If a student was absent today, they HAVE to take their test tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2nd or I will not be able to get it on their final grade.

May 29, 2015

Students learned about the effects of alcohol and drug use on an unborn baby. Afterward, we watched a video on Fetal Alcohol syndrome and Drug-effected infants and compared the physical symptoms of each of these syndromes to a healthy infant. They had an article to read and write abut the article.

May 27-28, 2015

Students watched a video on the importance of abstinence before marriage and monogamy after marriage titled "Sex still has a price tag." Any parent who is worried about the content of this or any other video or lesson is free to come in to ask questions. Feel free to contact me if you would like to view anything. The video is district approved and meets state and district guidelines. We also discussed how and why people break-up and how students can handle break-ups better. We also discussed how relationships leave their mark on our personalities and will affect our future relationships.

May 22 and 26, 2015

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 Tuesday after school at 3:15 by the office. If students are driving with their parents or parents are meeting us there, you need to be there around 4:30 and we will be seated between 4:45 and 5:00.

May 21, 2015

We talked more about etiquette that should be used in a restaurant, especially for those who are going to La Caille. We watched a short video about good restaurant etiquette. We practiced calculating a 15% gratuity. We also looked at bus etiquette not only for La Caille but for any time you ride a bus.

May 20, 2015

Students started their etiquette unit today by learning about proper etiquette when using technology. The also had an assignment called "The Netiquette Edge" due today.

May 19, 2015

Students learned about what rights they have as they date and what responsibilities they have when dating.

May 18, 2015

Today, we discussed and learned about the differences between love and infatuation. We watched a short video clip from called "Fanny's Dream" and used questions and role plays as examples for the students to decide if it is love or infatuation.

May 15, 2015

La Caille permission forms and fee receipts were due today in class! Students discussed why group dating is important, especially while they are in high school and we discussed a number of inexpensive activities you can do on group dates.

May 14, 2015

Students discussed what kind of qualities they are looking for in people they date and how those qualities may change over time due to changes in values, maturity, etc.

May 12-13, 2015

Students learned about the stages of adolescent attraction by discussing each stage and by using examples. They took notes while we discussed and video clips were used to identify the different stages.

May 11, 2015

Students had a mid-term test today on the Relationships unit. We discussed and reviewed for this test Friday and what they would be tested on and needed to study. We will start the dating unit tomorrow.

May 8, 2015

Students discussed their experiences with their electronic babies. We then watched "The teachings of Jon" about a boy with Down Syndrome and the lessons he is teaching his family.

May 7, 2015

Students learned about the difference between feeling lonely and being alone. We also discussed reasons why friends and peers reject others and how peer pressure is involved.

May 6, 2015

Students learned about refusal skills and how to use them to get out of different situations, as well as how to use peer pressure for good.

May 5, 2015

The students learned about peer pressure, what it is, why it occurs and what they can do to combat negative types of peer pressure. We also had a couple of activities related to peer pressure.

May 4, 2015

Students learned about why we have groups of friends and how they influence us for better or for worse. Students learned about gangs today. Why they form, who is most likely to join a gang and the different levels of gang activity. We relate this to the need for teens to feel like they belong to a group (Love and belonging) and to peer pressure.

May 1, 2015

Students compared friendships to pottery. Friendships can be great and you have to put a lot of work into them, but if they are broken, they can never be fully repaired. We also had an example of breaking a friendship (or in our case, a plate) and two students tried to repair it the best they could. We then discussed how this also applies to any of our friendships.

April 30, 2015

We identified the differences between peers and friends and discussed qualities of a good friend and good friendship. We also discussed the changing types of friendships throughout our lives.

April 24-29, 2015

The students learned about how the elderly are often taken advantage of and some of the programs available to the elderly for extra help and support. We also discussed the increase in elder abuse and watched a video made by the state of Utah about what elder abuse is and who to report abuse to if we suspect abuse occurring to an elderly person we know.

April 23, 2015

Students will be learning about and discussing siblings, the effect of birth order, and sibling rivalry. Today is all discussion, so nothing was due, but a few notes were written down.

April 22, 2015

We are discussing conflict resolution and the many parts that are involved in conflict resolution. What issues tend to be the most common, how personality styles affect conflict, how to approach it, and how to resolve conflict. Students identified some of these aspects in a couple of stories and then came up with how to resolve the issue.

April 21, 2015

Students learned about the six different types of people in their support systems. They were then given different case studies to use to identify these types of support and they had to identify who and why different people in their personal lives are in their personal support systems.

April 20, 2015

Students learned about and discussed Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs. We discussed each level in detail and gave examples of all. We also related these needs to their needs, as well as the needs of their parents.

April 16-17, 2015

The students discussed what independence is, why people want it and what responsibilities come with it. We then discussed why everyone has to rely on at least one other person throughout their lives, and right now that happens to be their parents. We discussed the saying "No man is an island" and teens effect on the family.

April 15, 2015

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.

April 14, 2015

Today, we discussed different family types and dealing with different family members due to changing circumstances

April 13, 2015

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 May 26th after school to La Caille. Parents are also invited to attend. The dinner is $35.00 per person and must be paid to the office by the end of school on May 15th. Students will then take their receipt and permission form to class and turn it into the basket by 3:00 p.m. on May 15th 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.

April 10, 2015

The first students checked out the electronic babies today. We took a quiz on how the babies work and answered any questions students thought of about the babies.

April 7th-9th, 2015

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.

April 1, 2015

The class took their end of term test today in class. This will be graded and put on Skyward sometime in the next week. Tomorrow we will be starting the relationships unit, which will last all of 4th term.

March 31, 2015

Today, we finished or discussion of harassment and focused on Internet safety and Cyberbullying.

March 30, 2015

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 as well.

March 26, 2015

Students continued discussing and learning about common gender issues. Today we played "Gender wars." Students were separated into male and females and each team was asked different questions about the opposite sex. The team with the most answers correct won treats/prizes.

March 25, 2015

Students learned about ethics, what it is and how we can show ethics by making better choices and thinking of others.

March 23-24, 2015

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. They also had a homework assignment to interview someone who is a role model for them and how that person has influenced them.

March 20, 2015

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 and we also discussed the seven categories of risk and the consequences of each.

March 19, 2015

Students learned about good judgement and making wise decisions, as well as thinking about the risks and consequences to decisions.

March 18, 2015

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 17, 2015

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.

March 16, 2015

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 13, 2015

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.

March 12, 2014

We had a catch-up day so students could catch-up on any assignments and we could catch-up on any lessons we are behind on.

March 11, 2015

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 10, 2015

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 9, 2015

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 5, 2015

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 4, 2015

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.

March 3, 2015

Students had a mid-term test today on the Independent Living Skills unit. We discussed this test last week and what they would be tested on and needed to study.

March 2, 2015

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 27, 2015

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 26, 2015

Students had a mid-term test today on the Independent Living Skills unit. We discussed this test last week and what they would be tested on and needed to study. We also reviewed for this assessment yesterday.

February 25, 2015

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

February 24, 2015

Students discussed poor ways people use to numb stress and we focused on depression and suicide. The students watched an educational video on the effects of suicide and how people can identify warning signs from friends and family.

February 20-23, 2015

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, 2015

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.

February 18, 2015

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 17, 2015

We learned about the consequences of uncontrolled emotions and behavior.

February 13, 2015

We read the book "What are you so grumpy about" and discussed the seven basic emotions. Then we discussed and wrote about how these emotions are portrayed in the books they are reading and the TV and Movies they watch.

February 12, 2015

Students discussed what different factors have made up/influenced their personality. They were then shown common personality tests people have created. Today, students learned about astrology signs, the Chinese zodiac and A/B type personalities.

February 10, 2015

Students learned about goals, long-term and short-term and why goals are important. We also discussed how our values and priorities effect the goals we set and if we will be able to reach those goals or not. We are more likely to achieve goals that we value or that we see as a high priority. They watched a video clip and answered a series of questions about their future goals.

February 6-9, 2015

We continued on values today and discussed common values each member of society has and talked about setting priorities. The students then answered a series of questions to rank their values in order of priority from the most important to the least. We also discussed how our values and priorities effect the goals we set and if we will be able to reach those goals or not. We are more likely to achieve goals that we value or that we see as a high priority.

February 5, 2015

Students started discussing values and focused on the differences between tangible and intangible values. They had to know and recognize the difference between the two types and they practiced by watching a few movie clips about children and their different types of values.

February 4, 2015

At the beginning of class, we read the story "You are special" and answered a journal entry question having to do with the book. Students learned about the differences in the terms self-concept, self-esteem, and self-image, as well as how they affect all areas of our life. We were in the middle of taking a questionnaire entitled "How strong is your self-concept" so we will finish it and discuss it tomorrow.

February 2-3, 2015

Students were assigned to create a vision board. They were given the instructions (see video at: http://youtu.be/bnCWD2K4lio) as to how to do this and had the rest of class to work on this. They were also provided with a grading rubric so they would know how they would be graded. These will be due on Thursday, February 5th at the beginning of class.

January 30, 2015

We finished discussing the five types of adolescent development, which we related to the acronym of Pepsi. We then moved on to discussing common roadblocks to development that teens may face and the challenges associated with each one.

January 29, 2015

Students finished discussing and watching movie clips about the eight stages of development. We also discussed another theory about stages of development which we nicknamed PEPSI for the first letter of each word.

January 28, 2015

Students were reminded about the three things due in two weeks (Class fee, Human Sexuality Instruction permission form, PG movie permission form). We started our discussion on the eight types of developmental stages during adolescences.

January 27, 2015

Students took a pre-test today over what we will be learning about this semester. Once they were done, we did an activity to review what students learned about yesterday about the class and classroom.

January 26, 2015

Students reviewed the class disclosure, human sexuality policy, PG video list, given hall passes and a late pass and reviewed the course content. They also have a $10.00 lab fee and two permission forms due in two weeks. Students were also shown the class website and blog, and provided information on how to sign up for text reminders. If a student is on a fee waiver, they need to contact the main office by February 5, 2015.

January 22, 2015

Students checked and finalized their grades and citizenship. We also had a final activity to finish up the class and read the book "Oh, the places you'll go."

January 21, 2015

Students took their final end of term test during class today. There are NO REDOS for this test. This will be placed on their grade and they will see their final grades tomorrow. If a student was absent today, they HAVE to take their test tomorrow, Thursday, January 22nd or I will not be able to get it on their final grade.

January 20, 2015

Today, students discussed the different types of child abuse, why it occurs and why it is more common when the parents are teens. We also discussed what shaken baby syndrome is, how it occurs and some of the most frequent reasons why. We also demonstrated to the students what happens when a baby is shaken by using our shaken baby syndrome simulator. They also watched a video on shaken baby syndrome which shows the aftereffects of this type of abuse.

January 16, 2015

Students learned about the effects of alcohol and drug use on an unborn baby. Afterward, we watched a video on Fetal Alcohol syndrome and Drug-effected infants and compared the physical symptoms of each of these syndromes to a healthy infant. They had an article to read and write abut the article. This will be due tomorrow in class.

January 14-15, 2015

Students watched a video on the importance of abstinence before marriage and monogamy after marriage titled "Sex still has a price tag." Any parent who is worried about the content of this or any other video or lesson is free to come in to ask questions. Feel free to contact me if you would like to view anything. The video is district approved and meets state and district guidelines.

January 13, 2015

Students discussed how and why people break-up and how students can handle break-ups better. We also discussed how relationships leave their mark on our personalities and will affect our future relationships.

January 12, 2015

Students learned about what rights they have as they date and what responsibilities they have when dating. They also started watching a video called "Stop the Violence" on dating violence, which we will discuss tomorrow.