Advisory December 1

Quote to Spark Discussion - “It is easy to be brave from a safe distance”,
We are starting to chat about peer pressure and courage
Some references from the National Middle School resource, Treasure Chest pages 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94
We are also starting to use quotes to direct discussion

Aesop’s Fable Here is the link to The Lion and the Mouse http://www.umass.edu/aesop/content.php?n=21&i=1

• What do you think it means?
• Can you think of some examples?
• Now think of a time you had to had to be brave in a more direct way.  Which is easier?  Why?

Perseverance - October 8, 2010

Recent discussion about persevering and setting goals.  We used film clips from The Addams Family, Parenthood and School of Rock.  Great discussions!  Here are some resources, references, quotes, etc. http://www.k12.hi.us/~mkunimit/perseverance.htm

Advisory September 29

Today we had a great discussion about auditory and visual learning.  Kids discussed their strengths.  We completed an activity with the book ZOOM by Istavan Banyai.  What a fun book!  Check out the Teaching Readers to Think blog  http://teachingreaderstothink.blogspot.com/ for some more activities and background on the book, as well as the following link -
http://wilderdom.com/games/descriptions/Zoom.html

Advisory September 30

Activities for Advisory -
Goal Setting
-Treasure Chest p25-30
-Goal Setting Booklets
-http://teachertipstraining.suite101.com/article.cfm/goal_setting_lesson_plan

By the end of the Goal Setting lessons, students should have 3 measurable goals and an understanding of how to measure attainment of these goals. 
For goal setting materials - https://webportal.nmsa.org/Purchase/ProductDetail.aspx?Product_code=6445143f-0d7a-4f7f-bab7-118c3b9298e4

• S = Specific
• M = Measurable
• A = Attainable
• R = Realistic
• T = Timely

Today's activities - 9/21/10

Here is a great video to discuss goal setting, teamwork, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jByfWOLmjo

What was the baby squirrel’s goal?
What steps did it take to accomplish it?
What resources were available to the squirrel?

Advisory September 14

Advisory 7:40-8:17  (Blog has been updated, feel free to share with your kids ........
                                http://middleschooladvisory.blogspot.com/
                   Finish introductory activities and icebreakers
                  Advisory introduction and icebreakers
1.  http://wilderdom.com/games/Icebreakers.html
2.  http://www.lessonplanspage.com/BeginSchool.htm
3.  http://712educators.about.com/cs/icebreakers/a/icebreakers.htm
4.  http://www.wacaonline.org/resources_icebreakers.html
5.  Treasure Chest p. 19-24

First Advisory meeting for the 2010-11 School Year!

Q1: Introductory Activities, Perseverance and Goal Setting

9/2     Th—Advisory introduction and icebreakers
1.  http://wilderdom.com/games/Icebreakers.html
2.  http://www.lessonplanspage.com/BeginSchool.htm
3.  http://712educators.about.com/cs/icebreakers/a/icebreakers.htm
4.  http://www.wacaonline.org/resources_icebreakers.html
5.  Treasure Chest p. 19-24

An Adult Advocate for Every Student This We Believe: Successful Schools for Young Adolescents

Academic success and personal growth increase markedly when young adolescents’ affective needs are met. Therefore, all adults in developmentally responsive middle level schools are advocates, advisors, and mentors. The concept of advocacy is fundamental to the school’s culture, embedded in its every aspect. Advocacy is not a singular event or a regularly scheduled time; it is an attitude of caring that translates into action when adults are responsive to the needs of each and every young adolescent in their charge. Each student must have one adult to support that student’s academic and personal development. This adult is a model of good character who is knowledgeable about young adolescent development in general, who self-evidently enjoys working with young adolescents, and who comes to know students well as individuals. Advocates or advisors are not counselors, but they listen and guide youth through the ups and downs of school life. Young adolescents have many concerns about matters that lie outside the parameters of the academic curriculum, and they need opportunities to discuss these with one another and a trusted adult. The advisor is the primary liaison between the school and family and often initiates contact with parents, providing pertinent information about the student’s program and progress, as well as being ready to receive calls from any parent with a concern. Helping families stay engaged in their child’s education is a critical task. Students seeking independence often prefer to keep home and school separate, but a high quality of three-way communication will ensure that students, their parents, and the advisor will be mutually supportive. Advisors are in a position to recognize behavioral changes in students that should be brought to the attention of counselors, administrators, teachers, parents, and others who could provide appropriate support. Advisors and all staff members facilitate healthy and caring peer relationships by modeling the interpersonal relationships that define the school vision. Protecting young adolescents from bullying, for instance, begins when teachers in their classrooms as well as the total culture of the school promote compassion, understanding, and mutual respect. To assist teachers in fulfilling the pastoral role, middle level schools use a variety of organizational arrangements such as advisory programs, extended homerooms, and team-based mentorships. These efforts augment but do not conflict with comprehensive, essential guidance and support services. The successful school demonstrates a continuity of caring and support that extends throughout a student’s middle level experience.

Original publication information:
NMSA Research Committee. (2003). An adult advocate for every student. In This we believe:
Successful schools for young adolescents(pp. 16-17). Westerville, OH: National Middle School Association.