Well, what does one say to children . . .

We will chat via the TV announcements with the students in the morning to reassure them that they are safe here at school.  We will remind them of safety precautions, that there are lots of people here that they can talk to and not to mention each other.  We remember, we gather together, and we go on . . . with tears, thoughts and prayers . . .

Visit Responsive Classroom for more about Morning meetings . . .  http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/

P.A.W.S.

While our school mascot is the panther, our positive behavior support acronym is P.A.W.S.  - 
Positive Attitudes Worth Sharing.  It is a kind of "caught you being good", with a focus on doing random kind things for others when the opportunity arrises.  Stucents receive a small paw print sticker, which they can then come to the office to share their kind act with a staff member and receive a pencil as well. 
It is amazing to see Middle School aged kids respond. 
Whenever I tell anyone I work in a Middle School they smile, I share that we have the kind of school community and culture in which kids routinely hold the door open for anyone, say good morning when greeted and pick up papers and dropped things.   How a many places can say that!

Advisory November 5 - Back-to-School after hurricane Sandy

Well we will meet after a week off of school to regroup after Hurricane Sandy.  It is important as the children come back to school to meet in smaller, more intimate groups to talk about our experiences. Children need to share, question, respond to others and know that their school was used as a shelter to help people in the community.
To read more about our local community's experiences - check out
http://hellertown.patch.com/articles/middle-school-shelter-to-stay-open-until-sunday
http://hellertown.patch.com/articles/middle-school-shelter-closing

Even the local football game on Saturday was free admission! Go Panthers!

Inspirational

Our High School and Middle School Wrestlers had a visit from Anthony Robles, an NCAA champion from Arizona.  He talked about overcoming his struggles and setting goals.  He also did a mini clinic as the season gets under way.  See his website for his story . . . http://anthonyrobles.com/

It was a "check on goals" day!

Today we updated each other on our goals set last week.  I am happy to report - there is a 92% in Science, passing all classes, cleaning up after the dog and training to do back flips on the bike (yikes!). 

We watched a clip from the original movie Rocky to get us inspired! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U2HME7PoBI

Goal setting inspiration

Today we watched this video of an athletic faced with a monumental immediate challenge and the love of a parent - check it out . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZlXWp6vFdE&feature=related

First Advisory meeting of the new school year 2012-13!

We met for our first meeting of the new school year.  We welcomed our new-comers and said greetings to the returning 7th and 8th graders.  It is always amazing to see how much they have grown and changed.  Here are some greetings you  might want to try - http://responsiveclassroom.org/morning-meeting-ideas

http://www.originsonline.org/newsletters/winter-2011-rc/coaches-corner-fast-paced-morning-meetings

Global Forgiveness Day

Acknowledge by accepting a friend’s apology . . . can you?

Welcome a new student to your school with a nice note.

There are so many ways to Gang Up for Good this year! Go ahead, check out all of them:
Mean Stinks on Facebook . . . https://www.facebook.com/meanstinks?sk=app_115173861886252

Positive, positive, positive!

A quote . . .

Helping create a future without bullying!

Something to think about - Classroom Community

Whether it is the Advisory group, a contained classroom or subject specific - think about this -

The height of student achievement is directly correlated with the strength of the classroom community.

Check out - http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/

 

Make a Difference Monday

Make a Difference Monday: Share this with someone who has made a big impact on your life!

I use this site often as inspiration for discussion - check it out . . .

 https://www.facebook.com/meanstinks

Last Advisory Day . . .

Today was our last Advisory Day for the 2011-12 school year.  Here we are . . . . good luck to our 8th graders moving up to the High School.  I will miss you lots!  We are looking forward to welcoming some 6th graders to our group next year!

Keep reading during the summer months - be safe and have fun!!!!

Middle School "Fun Day"

Complete with pie eating contests (we used pudding pies for real!), 3 legged races, Relay for Life walking and a trivia contest - today was FUN DAY at our school.  The kids were GREAT, the teachers were supportive and fun.  We ate lunch outside with 775 kids in 4 lunch periods.  A thank you to all that planned, played and even cleaned up!  Nice job everyone!

THINK!

I saw this and thought of Middle School kids . . . 

I wonder why . . . 

From Mean Stinks - "like" on Facebook

What Would You Do Wednesday: 

Your friend teases a boy in your class and you see how much it hurts his feelings. You’re afraid to confront her because she might get mad at you. What do you do?

Advisory, April 2, Bullying discussion . . .

Recently we purchased folders for all of our students that describe "bullying" behaviors and cyberbullying. 
You can preview these athttp://www.progresspublications.com/view/Products/Folders/Stock+Unimprinted+Folders/Bully+Education+Folder+SU-7 
We had a great discussion and students shared some compelling thoughts about this topic.

March 14, testing, testing, testing . . .

We started our state assessments today.  The students were great!  We had snacks and water for all and teachers kept academics to fun connected content things.  hang in there . . . 5 more days to go!

Some links . . .
http://edinformatics.com/testing/testing.htm

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_system_of_school_assessment_%28pssa%29/8757

February 27 Test Taking Tips

Well, we need to talk about hte upcoming state testing . . . :(  Ways to make kids realize the importance of demonstrating all the wonderful things they know and are able to do . . .
Here are 10 tips http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/school/teststress/article10.html

Advisory - February 16

Today we  read Hey Little Ant.  What do you think the boy should do?   Also check out http://teachingreaderstothink.blogspot.com/ for more book ideas.
In 1992, Phillip Hoose and his daughter Hannah, then nine, wrote a musical conversation between an ant about to get flattened and the child about to squish it. It ended with the question, "What do you think that kid should do?" Their popular recording of the song "Hey Little Ant" led to the story's publication as a children's picture book in 1998, which has become a runaway success. Now the ant and the child – and their shared dilemma – are known by parents, children and educators throughout the world.

Our interests displayed - February 8

We are working on our individual drawings of our interests, decorating "mock" t - shirts.  They will all be displayed on clotheslines throughout the building.  Here is the beginning - it is amazing that we found clothespins to add to our displays.  Now only 500 more to hang! My group even asked if we could create real t-shirts with the drawings, now that's a thought . . .

New Year's Resolutions - January 10

We are meeting today with our group to talk about New Year's Resolutions.  Goal setting is so hard with kids, especially early teens.  I thought this video was funny! I wonder what the kids will think!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV3MUpN8vA0

A Resolution Is:

a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something;

the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc;

the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.

This description suggests three actions. These include:
-naming what you are going to do or change,
-deciding how you are going to make this change, and
-developing a mental state of being determined to achieve this goal.