February 23rd-27th

This week was a great week here at Shaw Heights. On Monday the students broke into groups. I had the mentors and we were able to do an activity about support and working together to support one another. In this activity I would throw a ball and the students had to work together to make sure that the ball did not touch the ground. The ball was a representation of a mentee, and how we all need to work together to keep this mentee from failing. Some students told me that they had classes with mentees that were not their mentee but agreed to help keep them on track. Other students mentioned that they had the same lunch at someone else's mentee and agreed to say "hi" during lunch or even sit with them at lunch. This was  a great activity because the mentors learned that they are not just looking after their mentee, but they are supporting all mentees.

On Tuesday we did the "Love Cup" activity. Students were able to reflect on what is draining them, and what they could do to stop being drained.  I took some pictures of some of the Love cups the students made.

Love Cup

Love Cup

Love Cup

On Tuesday night one of my mentors received an award from the Optimist club. She was nominated by all of her teachers and the dean of students. Each of her teachers wrote  a comment about this mentor. Most comments were about how she is a great student, she has improved in behavior and academics since last year. She was also nominated because this semester this mentor broke up a fight that her mentee and another student were involved in. She was caught on camera helping her mentee. Many teachers said that this mentor was not the same student as she was last year.

OptimistAwards

On Wednesday we did the "Who are you at..." worksheet. Students had to reflect on if they are the same person they are at school, home, and with friends. Most students came to the realization that they are not being true to themselves. Some students said they didn't know if the real them was the person at home, or the person they are when they are with their friends. During this activity we were able to discuss "Nature vs. Nurture." Students were then able to debate what they thought contributes to their behavior, nature or nurture.

Thursday we did an Intro to EQ activity where we learned about Phineas Gage.

I have also created a Facebook page for the students. Some message me to let me know they will be absent and ask for their homework through this site. https://www.facebook.com/yess.shaw
I update often on there. :)

Overall this week was an awesome week!