I had to rearrange the classroom because of the high number of sophomores! I can't fit them all around the table. So now the place looks less like a seminar room and more like a normal classroom.
We got our binders organized and I had the students write their long term and short term goals and tape them in their binder or put them somewhere on their binder where they will see them all the time. Then I had the kids write out on a weekly calendar their typical week. They also wrote how they could spend their time better at school, at Peace and at home. I will spend some time going over these and share them with the students' mentors. There will probably be lots of opportunity for conversation and support from mentors.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Juniors and Seniors Get Organized
It's strange having such a big class of seniors! We are up to 7 total now! Up from 3 last semester. Two of our seniors went to the Historically Black College Fair. One was accepted to Bethune-Cookman and the other to Norfolk! Wow!
I taught/retaught the Juniors and the Seniors how to take Cornell notes and how to organize their binders. We are all set and ready to rock this semester!
I taught/retaught the Juniors and the Seniors how to take Cornell notes and how to organize their binders. We are all set and ready to rock this semester!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Getting Organized/Cornell Notes
I retaught the students how to take Cornell Notes. They really need to take better notes in class, then finish the process at Peace, writing test questions and a summary of their notes. They are going to hate this, but it gives them a chance to interact with the material 2 more times and sets them up to study better for tests.
We also got new school supplies and got our binders organized. I had 17 kids in the sophomore class today! 1 is from Bellarmine and is just auditing the class, but 16 are enrolled! Wow!
We are now up to 35 students total enrolled in CLASS. This is up 10 students from last semester! It's almost like if you are a Hilltop Scholar, you are in CLASS!
We also got new school supplies and got our binders organized. I had 17 kids in the sophomore class today! 1 is from Bellarmine and is just auditing the class, but 16 are enrolled! Wow!
We are now up to 35 students total enrolled in CLASS. This is up 10 students from last semester! It's almost like if you are a Hilltop Scholar, you are in CLASS!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
What color is your grounding cord?
Today Phyllis came and talked to the Juniors and Seniors about "getting grounded." She had us imagine a cord connecting us to the center of the earth. It was funny to hear what the different kids' cords looked like:
a string with a ball
a slide
a bike
a snowboard
a chicken!
The point is for the kids to have a way to imagine themselves connected to something, to feel safe and relaxed. From here we can have better results with our daily meditation that we do at the beginning of each class.
a string with a ball
a slide
a bike
a snowboard
a chicken!
The point is for the kids to have a way to imagine themselves connected to something, to feel safe and relaxed. From here we can have better results with our daily meditation that we do at the beginning of each class.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Freshmen and Sophomores Get Grounded
Today was the first day of second semester. We have one new student joining the freshman class and four new students joining the sophomore class!
After reviewing the CLASS expectations and attendance policies, etc., local psychologist, Phyllis Bales worked with the students on grounding their energy. I have taught the students how to sit still and focus on their breathing as a relaxation technique. Phyllis built on this by having the students imagine they are dropping a cord of energy down into the earth and anchoring it at the center of the earth. It was interesting to listen to the students descriptions of what that was like. Some didn't get it at all. Some felt more relaxed, some felt tingly. Phyllis will continue to work with the students over the next couple of months. We will see her again in a couple of weeks.
After reviewing the CLASS expectations and attendance policies, etc., local psychologist, Phyllis Bales worked with the students on grounding their energy. I have taught the students how to sit still and focus on their breathing as a relaxation technique. Phyllis built on this by having the students imagine they are dropping a cord of energy down into the earth and anchoring it at the center of the earth. It was interesting to listen to the students descriptions of what that was like. Some didn't get it at all. Some felt more relaxed, some felt tingly. Phyllis will continue to work with the students over the next couple of months. We will see her again in a couple of weeks.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Final Blog of the Semester
Today was the last day of CLASS for the 1st semester. We have made history with this class!
The Juniors and Seniors wrote reflections on this past semester and what they want to do better next semester. They are hoping to be more organized and disciplined. I will have to remind them of that in a few weeks! :-)
As for me, as their teacher, I also want to be more organized and keep more consistent track of students' grades in mine and in their other classes. I think I need to be harder on them about their note taking and binder organization. They hate it but it's good for them.
Until next Monday, adios!
The Juniors and Seniors wrote reflections on this past semester and what they want to do better next semester. They are hoping to be more organized and disciplined. I will have to remind them of that in a few weeks! :-)
As for me, as their teacher, I also want to be more organized and keep more consistent track of students' grades in mine and in their other classes. I think I need to be harder on them about their note taking and binder organization. They hate it but it's good for them.
Until next Monday, adios!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Freshmen and Sophs reflect on the semester
The students answered the following questions in their journals today:
1. Academically, what went well for you this semester?
2. What did not go well?
3. What are your academic goals for next semester?
4. What are your personal goals for next semester?
5. What changes will you have to make or habits will you have to form in order to achieve your goals?
Some of them had big trouble with math, others did great in math. Some had problems getting their homework turned in in all of their classes! I think they all want to try to do better next semester. They said the need to try and overcome their laziness.
We talked quite a bit about college entrance and whether or not they had already blown it. I hate hearing them say, "I'll never go to college!" I talked about the different ways you can get to a 4-year school (community college, etc) and that it's really never too late.
1. Academically, what went well for you this semester?
2. What did not go well?
3. What are your academic goals for next semester?
4. What are your personal goals for next semester?
5. What changes will you have to make or habits will you have to form in order to achieve your goals?
Some of them had big trouble with math, others did great in math. Some had problems getting their homework turned in in all of their classes! I think they all want to try to do better next semester. They said the need to try and overcome their laziness.
We talked quite a bit about college entrance and whether or not they had already blown it. I hate hearing them say, "I'll never go to college!" I talked about the different ways you can get to a 4-year school (community college, etc) and that it's really never too late.
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