Welcome back to the Ranum Middle School weekly blog!
As always we started the week with Mentor Monday and we talked about leadership styles that we feel we display. The following day we had Tutoring Tuesday which allowed students to catch up in their classes they are falling behind in.
On Wednesday, we continued discussing emotional intelligence (EQ) in order for students to truly understand where it originated from and how it impacts them on a daily basis. In order to hammer this point home, we played a fun game of Kahoot! Some questions would dive into who thought of emotional intelligence whereas others asked about countries around the world that had high or low EQ scores. Most questions were pretty challenging but they lead to great discussions.
We wrapped up the week talking about hot buttons (the situations in our lives that typically cause us to have a negative reaction because it bothers us in some way, shape or form). Students were very open to sharing some of their buttons and how their reactions have effected them in the past. We ended the week by creating skits based off of popular hot buttons and the students did an excellent job of representing the entire range of their hot buttons.
This was a great week talking about emotions and I think we all earned a well deserved Thanksgiving Break.
Monday, November 21, 2016
Monday, November 14, 2016
Ranum Week 13
Welcome back to the Ranum Middle School blog!
This past week we started off by wrapping up the short film, "The Quiet", with some questions that had students thinking more critically about why they were feeling different emotions throughout the film. After that, we had Tutoring Tuesday so students could catch up with some of their work in other classes and if they were all caught up, I had some worksheets for them to complete to reinforce some math and literacy skills.
On Wednesday we learned about the 5 core emotions, different emotions that branch off of those 5 core ones, and learned some key skills to emotional intelligence (EQ). The rest of the week was dedicated to a group project on each one of the key skills (Social Awareness, Self Awareness, Relationship Management, Self Management). Students had to work together to do research on whichever skill they were assigned and had the choice to either create a poster or a Google Slideshow.
On Friday, we presented our projects and I was happy to see their research skills put to good use but they definitely need a little refresher on how to create a flowing slideshow.
Thanks for reading, have a great week!
This past week we started off by wrapping up the short film, "The Quiet", with some questions that had students thinking more critically about why they were feeling different emotions throughout the film. After that, we had Tutoring Tuesday so students could catch up with some of their work in other classes and if they were all caught up, I had some worksheets for them to complete to reinforce some math and literacy skills.
On Wednesday we learned about the 5 core emotions, different emotions that branch off of those 5 core ones, and learned some key skills to emotional intelligence (EQ). The rest of the week was dedicated to a group project on each one of the key skills (Social Awareness, Self Awareness, Relationship Management, Self Management). Students had to work together to do research on whichever skill they were assigned and had the choice to either create a poster or a Google Slideshow.
On Friday, we presented our projects and I was happy to see their research skills put to good use but they definitely need a little refresher on how to create a flowing slideshow.
Thanks for reading, have a great week!
Monday, November 7, 2016
Ranum Week 12
Hello again!
The week started off with no students as it was a non contact day on Monday, which allowed students to maximize their trick or treating.
On Tuesday, the 8th graders went to a play at Westminster High School so I had the mentees write a letter to their mentors about the skills they want help with this year and how much they appreciate their mentor. The letters were pretty good overall but students were still a little shy/proud about asking for help from someone.
On Wednesday we went over basic organization skills like how to keep your binder structured, how to use your planner and where to keep certain paperwork you get from different teachers. Let's just say my recycling bin was full by the end of the day after students tossed all unnecessary papers from their binders. After they cleaned out their binders, I had them clean out their lockers, which are a mess.
On Thursday and Friday we went over Thoughts and Emotions and what is the big difference between the two. We dove in pretty deep to see what is defined as a thought and what makes up an emotion in order for students to be able to separate the two in their minds. We wrapped it up by watching a short film called "The Quiet". It's basically a film about a girl being chased by a man who is supposed to pick her up after school because her mother asked him too. The problem is she has no idea who he is so she runs away into the woods. Between the music and the chase scenes, it really makes students feel a variety of emotions.
This week we will continue to dive into more emotions!
Thanks for reading!
The week started off with no students as it was a non contact day on Monday, which allowed students to maximize their trick or treating.
On Tuesday, the 8th graders went to a play at Westminster High School so I had the mentees write a letter to their mentors about the skills they want help with this year and how much they appreciate their mentor. The letters were pretty good overall but students were still a little shy/proud about asking for help from someone.
On Wednesday we went over basic organization skills like how to keep your binder structured, how to use your planner and where to keep certain paperwork you get from different teachers. Let's just say my recycling bin was full by the end of the day after students tossed all unnecessary papers from their binders. After they cleaned out their binders, I had them clean out their lockers, which are a mess.
On Thursday and Friday we went over Thoughts and Emotions and what is the big difference between the two. We dove in pretty deep to see what is defined as a thought and what makes up an emotion in order for students to be able to separate the two in their minds. We wrapped it up by watching a short film called "The Quiet". It's basically a film about a girl being chased by a man who is supposed to pick her up after school because her mother asked him too. The problem is she has no idea who he is so she runs away into the woods. Between the music and the chase scenes, it really makes students feel a variety of emotions.
This week we will continue to dive into more emotions!
Thanks for reading!
Monday, October 31, 2016
Ranum Week 11
Hello all!
This past week was a little crazy. First we had a great anti-bullying organization called Connecting the Dots come to our school and do a work shop with every grade level that focuses on the concept that we are all basically the same and that life is about positive relationships with one another. There were lots of activities that made students get out of their comfort zones by partnering with other students they don't usually talk to. The last activity was emotional for a lot of students because it involved sharing out some difficult things going on in their lives but I was proud to see them being honest and genuinely caring for one another.
Since this workshop pulled out different grade levels on different days it made my classes pretty small for most of the week which is great but hard to complete a lesson plan. So, I decided to show The Book of Life. This movie honors El Dia De Los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) in a funny, educational and positive way. It educates students on other cultures but it also showed what it meant to be a good friend and an even better person to your family and community.
Overall, another great week here at Ranum!
This past week was a little crazy. First we had a great anti-bullying organization called Connecting the Dots come to our school and do a work shop with every grade level that focuses on the concept that we are all basically the same and that life is about positive relationships with one another. There were lots of activities that made students get out of their comfort zones by partnering with other students they don't usually talk to. The last activity was emotional for a lot of students because it involved sharing out some difficult things going on in their lives but I was proud to see them being honest and genuinely caring for one another.
Since this workshop pulled out different grade levels on different days it made my classes pretty small for most of the week which is great but hard to complete a lesson plan. So, I decided to show The Book of Life. This movie honors El Dia De Los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) in a funny, educational and positive way. It educates students on other cultures but it also showed what it meant to be a good friend and an even better person to your family and community.
Overall, another great week here at Ranum!
Monday, October 24, 2016
Ranum Week 10
Hello! 10 weeks!?!?!
This week kicked off with Listening Level skits. Groups of 4 were asked to demonstrate all 3 listening levels over the course of a 2-3 minute skit. There were a lot of funny presentations but overall students understood the general concept of all the levels. We continued with relationship management by talking about boundaries on Wednesday. We went over physical and emotional/psychological boundaries within our daily lives. Physical boundaries were the easiest to understand for students but most could definitely relate to having some more of their personal/emotional/psychological boundaries tested.
We wrapped up the week with the Apple Pie theory. It's a great concept for students to begin to understand how their roles in life can effect others. Whether it be group projects, friendships, or any relationships in general, students learned that by being a hungry turkey or crumb eater, it is really draining and a big stress for both people.
Another great week of lessons and looking forward to this week!
This week kicked off with Listening Level skits. Groups of 4 were asked to demonstrate all 3 listening levels over the course of a 2-3 minute skit. There were a lot of funny presentations but overall students understood the general concept of all the levels. We continued with relationship management by talking about boundaries on Wednesday. We went over physical and emotional/psychological boundaries within our daily lives. Physical boundaries were the easiest to understand for students but most could definitely relate to having some more of their personal/emotional/psychological boundaries tested.
We wrapped up the week with the Apple Pie theory. It's a great concept for students to begin to understand how their roles in life can effect others. Whether it be group projects, friendships, or any relationships in general, students learned that by being a hungry turkey or crumb eater, it is really draining and a big stress for both people.
Another great week of lessons and looking forward to this week!
Monday, October 17, 2016
Ranum Week 9
Welcome back!
It was a short week this past week but we tried to fit in as much as possible. Mentoring Monday went well and we started those early conversations about how we can be better mentors and connect more with our mentees.
We tried out Tutoring Tuesdays for the first time with moderate success. There are still some students who claim they do not have any work to do but that was quickly solved by providing them with a book to read and a summary assignment. On Wednesday, we had a great group discussion around success and what it looks like at various points(ages) in our lives. Most students defined success in the same way and it had a lot to do with various accomplishments such as going to college, buying a house, owning a car, having a good job, etc. Finally, on Thursday we started a Listening Levels Activity. The first part required students to take a "quiz" on how well they listen to others. Many students were surprised that they were not at the highest level of listening but are starting to recognize why some of their actions/behaviors are not the best while listening.
I'm have the students perform skits on Tuesday of the different listening levels so it should be an entertaining class. Another fun week in the books!
It was a short week this past week but we tried to fit in as much as possible. Mentoring Monday went well and we started those early conversations about how we can be better mentors and connect more with our mentees.
We tried out Tutoring Tuesdays for the first time with moderate success. There are still some students who claim they do not have any work to do but that was quickly solved by providing them with a book to read and a summary assignment. On Wednesday, we had a great group discussion around success and what it looks like at various points(ages) in our lives. Most students defined success in the same way and it had a lot to do with various accomplishments such as going to college, buying a house, owning a car, having a good job, etc. Finally, on Thursday we started a Listening Levels Activity. The first part required students to take a "quiz" on how well they listen to others. Many students were surprised that they were not at the highest level of listening but are starting to recognize why some of their actions/behaviors are not the best while listening.
I'm have the students perform skits on Tuesday of the different listening levels so it should be an entertaining class. Another fun week in the books!
Monday, October 10, 2016
Ranum Week 8
Hello again!
The week started off with the first edition of Mentor Monday/the Why Try curriculum. Going forward, on every Monday, I will take the mentors to a separate room and we will work on their mentoring/leadership skills. At the same time, our team from Community Reach comes in to work with the mentees on some more of their personal/social/behavioral skills.
The whole week was about trust and trust building and the project that really got the point across was students building their own trust bridges. I explained to them that just like you want a really strong bridge made of the best materials if you're going to trust to go over it, you have to want the same things in any trusting relationship. The foundations of the bridge have to be strong, just like the foundations of your relationships. That means there needs to be honesty, good communication, reliability, respect, care, etc. If your relationship does not have these things, just like if a bridge does not have strong material, both will crumble and fail.
They had a really fun time with the project and some students came up with pretty unique bridges. It was also their responsibility to come up with 10 things that they need in order to feel comfortable/have a trusting relationship.
Another fun week with a great lesson in the books!
The week started off with the first edition of Mentor Monday/the Why Try curriculum. Going forward, on every Monday, I will take the mentors to a separate room and we will work on their mentoring/leadership skills. At the same time, our team from Community Reach comes in to work with the mentees on some more of their personal/social/behavioral skills.
The whole week was about trust and trust building and the project that really got the point across was students building their own trust bridges. I explained to them that just like you want a really strong bridge made of the best materials if you're going to trust to go over it, you have to want the same things in any trusting relationship. The foundations of the bridge have to be strong, just like the foundations of your relationships. That means there needs to be honesty, good communication, reliability, respect, care, etc. If your relationship does not have these things, just like if a bridge does not have strong material, both will crumble and fail.
They had a really fun time with the project and some students came up with pretty unique bridges. It was also their responsibility to come up with 10 things that they need in order to feel comfortable/have a trusting relationship.
Another fun week with a great lesson in the books!
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