West Leadership Weekly Round Up: December 3rd - 7th

Hi all!

Last week was a productive one as we worked on our final semester projects and worked through our lesson on Hot Buttons.

On our Monday and Tuesday block days we spent time in class checking grades, following up with teachers, and then working on our final projects. Students mostly worked on their Google Slide presentations, saving their write up/essay for next week. This will be a big task to complete next week with our due date being next Friday with presentations taking place afterwards.

Wednesday and Thursday we had our lessons on Hot Buttons. We began by reviewing the belief cycle from our previous lesson and discussing what hot buttons are, how they present themselves, and how to manage them. From there students began to identify their own hot buttons through both our discussion and a questionnaire followed by our pendulum activity. Using examples from their own lives, students identified ways to turn their hot buttons into cool buttons and adjusting their reactions. Most of our triggers are pretty natural so it certainly takes hard work to be conscious enough to control your reaction and behavior and students discussed practical ways to address this.

We wrapped up the week by taking a quiz over the recent material from the past two weeks, doing our Fishbowl activity, and working on our projects. Overall it was a pretty productive week which is a good sign as we head into the final regular week of the school year. Stay tuned! -Ben

West Leadership Weekly Round Up: November 26th - 30th

Hi all!

Last week we had a busy one as we worked on our lessons about Belief Systems.

We started the week by checking our grades, looking over our work, and meeting with our teachers. From there students were given some time to start their final project for the semester. The project asks for students to pick three topics and then to complete a Google slide presentation, a 5 paragraph essay, and a 5-10 minute class activity. I wanted to give them time to work on this during our class so we will dedicate the remaining Mondays and Fridays this semester to do it - basically two class periods per product. On the week of finals students will either present their Google slides or their activity.

On Wednesday and Thursday we spent the class teaching about Belief Systems. Students reviewed the vocabulary and terms and from there we played a fun game of Musical chairs. Although our classroom is small, we were able to set it up in a way to make the game work for everyone. I wrote down different terms and words on individual Post-Its and placed them at each seat. The students then landed on a seat and wrote down how that particular thing made them feel. Afterwards we discussed what their responses were - positive or negative - and then how our belief systems are formed. We then went over the Belief Cycle and limiting and empowering beliefs by discussing examples from our own lives and how to turn the limiting beliefs into empowering actions. This is one of my favorite lessons as it is applies to all of us and is important to understand in making decisions about ones own life. Students seemed to enjoy both the activity and the discussion afterwards.

Friday we wrapped up the week by doing a quick quiz followed by our Fishbowl activity. I also informed the students of my departure at the end of the semester. I put off the announcement to the end of class in order to delay too many emotions. Students had questions which I answered and I reassured them that whoever takes my place, our classroom community that they have created will continue to be strong. I am looking forward to helping them finish their projects as we wrap up the semester and end on a strong note. Until next week! -Ben