Week of November 26 - 30

Welcome back to Week 15!

This week we change our focus from the 7 Habits to Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence.
On Monday, we kicked off our study with an introduction to the MONKEY MIND.

To introduce the idea and gain a mental picture of the monkey mind, the students had a great time tossing a couple of stuffed monkeys around in a circle (see below). Then, they watched a couple of short videos and took notes on the main ideas in the videos.  Included in this activity, they surrounded their "monkey heads" with many adjectives that describe what it's like to mentally experience "monkey mind."

Video #1

Video #2

On Tuesday, after reviewing the material from yesterday, the students read an article about the Buddha and how he learned to tame his monkey mind (see below).  They annotated the article and answered the questions (see below) by restating each question and answering each question using complete sentences.

On Wednesday, the students discussed the answers to the Buddha worksheet questions and graded the answers of another student based on my rubric. 

On Thursday, the students learned about what meditation is through discussion as well as reading a universal definition of meditation (see below).  As well, they began the process of reading about 10 ways to tame the monkey mind (see below) and gathering in groups to present their findings.  On Friday, the students will continue their presentations of their findings.

What is MEDITATION?
Meditation is a means of transforming the mind.  Meditation practices are techniques that encourage and develop concentration, clarity, emotional positivity, and a calm seeing of the true nature of things.

10 Ways to Tame the Monkey Mind

This Week's Bell Ringers:

Monday: (Activity: Tossing 2 monkeys across the circle for 1 minute)  Based on this activity as well as the words themselves (monkey and mind), explain what you think the term "monkey mind" means.

Tuesday:  Write about a time when your monkey mind took over, and then tell about the result.

Wednesday: Why is it useless to fight with the monkeys in our head?

Thursday: Answer the following two questions accurately.
                    1. What did the Buddha learn?
                    2. How did the Buddha learns?

Friday: Explain your group's method for taming the monkey mind.

Week of November 19 - 20

This is a very short, two-day week! 

To wrap up the learning that took place while my students were with our guidance counselor, Mr. Edwards, last week, Mr. Edwards has assigned a brochure assignment.  All students will be required to create a brochure based on the information they learned from the "Teen Safety Matters" presentations last week.  A handout will be given to all students as well as instructions on how to create the brochure.  This assignment will be due on Tuesday, November 20 before the students leave for the Thanksgiving holidays.  See below for instructions and handout.

This week's Bell Ringers:

Monday: What are 3 main ideas that you learned from last week's study of Teen Safety Matters with Mr. Edwards?

Tuesday: Explain what Thanksgiving means to you.

Week of November 13 - 16

This week all 6th grade students will be meeting during their leadership class time with our guidance counselor, Mr. Edwards, in the media center to discuss topics of "Teen Safety Matters".

Week of November 5 - 8

Welcome to Week 13!  This week we will wrap up our study of the 7 Habits.

On Monday, I will hold a review session covering an overview of all 7 of the habits we have studied.  Students should come to class prepared, already having studied their notes in preparation for the 7 Habits Final Exam.  I will spend the class period helping the students learn how to fill in a graphic organizer that will help them synthesize their understanding of all 7 habits.

On Tuesday, the students will take the 7 Habits Final Exam.

On Wednesday the students will be doing a fun activity (picture boxes) to help them further solidify their understanding of the 7 Habits.  Whatever they don't finish will be their homework.

On Thursday, I will go over the Leadership Exam results with the students and explain the correct answers. I will also be collecting the picture box activity from yesterday.

NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY THIS WEEK! :)

Bell Ringers for this week:

Monday:  How would your life be different if you chose to use the 7 Habits on a daily basis?

Tuesday:  No Bell Ringer

Wednesday: Think about all 7 Habits and decide upon one that you like the most.  Tell me why this one is your favorite habit.

Thursday: Explain how you can use some of the concepts that you have learned from your study of the 7 Habits to resolve conflicts.