Active Listening

Today we practiced active listening.  Students shared with the class and were asked questions about their experiences using the L-I-S-T-E-N tools.

NEXT CLASS - April 10th - We will practice JOB INTERVIEWS.

Friday the 13th!!! March 2015

Today we discussed Tact and Gossip.

Being tactful allows us to keep good relationships, and avoid hurting people's feelings.

Gossip can have many bad consequences.


Student Safety

Today we were visited by Sergeant Whitten of Brookdale Campus Police.  He gave a talk on student safety, both at school, at home, and when out in the world.  The students had a good time and asked many questions.

In the News - why are these in the news?

ISIS
Why did the City Manager and Police Chief resign their jobs in Ferguson, Missouri?
Who is Anthony Hill?
Who tests better in Math and Science?
Who test better in everything else?
Elephants
2.8 million years
Cockroaches
Chameleons
Selma, Alabama

Answers

Feb 27 2015 - Flocabulary and Social Media

Today's week in rap concludes with a homework assignment reviewing current events that happened during February.  Students were given homework with questions and a wordbank to draw the answers from.  Students can discuss this at home.  Also students may (with assistance) look the answers up.  These sheets were handed out in class.

The Homework :  Month in Rap February 2015 Questions

The Answer Bank:  Month in Rap February 2015 Answer Bank

We are also studying Social Skills and Relationships
Last week we talked about compliments.  Students learned how to give compliments and how to respond to them (and being lovely people they probably receive many of them).

Today's lesson is on social media since some of the students are using twitter, facebook and texting to chat with people.   While this doesn't have much effect on students who don't have facebook, the general concepts of appropriate things to say and what to not to share and of everyday help.

Social Media:  Which items bother you the most worksheet?

Debaltseve

In one of our news studies, the town of Debaltseve in the Ukraine, was captured during a ceasefire between the Ukraine and Russia.  The students were challenged to come to class next week knowing how to say Debaltseve (Debálʼtseve) to receive bonus points for the next class Flocabulary challenge.  

Compliments

from www.clipartbest.com

Today we practiced how to receive a compliment.  

When you receive a compliment, you should say "Thank you" or "Thanks".

Homework - practice giving and receiving compliments with your family.  


For further reading:  http://www.momswhothink.com/behavior/receiving-compliments-well.html
and
http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/life-skills/how-to-take-a-compliment

This week in map - Homework

Using the background sheets, answer the questions on page 7 of today Flocabulary map handout.  Here is an extra copy:

The Week in Rap - Map homework

Writing a formal email - Homework!

Today we discussed writing a formal email.  We practiced writing one to the American Red Cross for our field trip.  For our homework, the class was assigned the task of writing a draft email to me on paper, or sending an actual email.  Here is the assignment:
email homework sheet

Remember to use the class notes on how to write a formal email.  Here is another copy:
Email HOW-TOs

Welcome to Class - Spring Program 2015 Students!

Welcome to the Blog of my Great Expectations class at Brookdale Community College.  We provide academic enrichment and life skills for our registered students.  Activities and subjects we may cover include:  poetry, American History, ancient history, drama, first aid, science and nature, money management skills, self-advocacy skills and autobiographical writing.  We can also role play dealing with disabilities, friends, bosses, and social situations.  This is by no means an exhaustive list.  At the moment we are continuing our subject of nutrition, and a review of the American scene of 2014.  

Why Blog? 

I have noticed that everyone seems to learn differently.  Some are into high tech gadgets, others are low tech.  Some love to learn by reading, and others prefer oral, hands-on learning.  

Of course, some students and parents NEVER have any questions about the homework.  Some never lose printouts for forms.  Others retain all the information about personal safety recommendations and never need a refresher.  Those certain, perfectly organized folks always know which date we are going to the library, when is Spring Break, and when the last day of class is.  

This blog is for the rest of us.

How to use this Blog

Mostly I will simply make short posts about what we covered in class.  

If I have a link to a form that was handed out like today's Daily Food Plan, you can view it online, or printout another copy.  Today's assignment was for students to write down everything they eat, by category (Grains, Vegetables, Fruits, Dairy, Protein).  Do this until the next class, starting with what they had for lunch today.  The goal - to see what types of foods we are eating.  Will we want to keep it up?  Maybe make a few changes for a healthy diet?

Another area we studied today - our Flocabulary was full of questions on the Middle East.  You can use the link to see what countries are in the area called the Middle East.  You can print it out for home use or look at small version of it here.

Questions are bound to arise about font size, how to do an assignment, or why we chose "that topic".  Please feel free to send me a note - comments to the blog, a note to class, and if I can figure it out, through an email link to this blog.