This Week at LPHS, January 14-18

Hello,

As we approach the end of the semester, I wanted to address a few items as it relates to High Expectations and Urgency, specifically as it relates to our curriculum.  As we know, there is a lot to get through in our curriculum.  Due to this fact, using too much time for review can often get in the way of meeting these requirements.  As we visit classrooms this week, we will need to see students still engaged in the curriculum, and not reviewing for final exams for the entire week.

Tuesday: 

* PSP Meeting in LPHS Media Center - Please use common assessments with your teaching partner(s).  We will start the meeting in the Media Center at 2:55

* Happy Birthday Christina Kovach! 

Wednesday:

* Happy Birthday Erin Scafone! 

Thursday:

* BTN Meeting, 7:10 - Media Center Conference Room

* Staff Bowling Event at Skore Lanes in Taylor.  Bowling is free but food and drink are on your own.  We would love to see you all there!

Mindfulness Activity: To be completed before the end of next week.


Welcome to Mindfulness Monday!  You should have received a stack of pink sheets with a white sheet of directions in your mailbox on Friday afternoon.  These sheets are for this week's Mindfulness Monday.  Our Mindful Mission today is to make an old-fashioned fortune teller game and give the students (and you) simple strategies that will help things stay calm and focused during the next two weeks of work for our final exams.  Here is a possible way to execute this mission!

1.  Hand out one pink sheet to each student.  Keep the white sheet for you and your document camera. 
2.  Read over the directions with your students on how to make the fortune tellers.  There are written directions on your white sheet.  Place the sheet of directions under your document reader to begin to assemble the fortune tellers.  You can also open another window and go directly to the link with the directions:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Q7cyTZ_P0DU2tkT0JSM1RZN3d5c2dLVWdaQnJqY1ZmeVA4/view?usp=sharing  The directions mention scissors.  Don't panic if you don't have a classroom set of scissors.  You can also use the "Spit method" found in this youtube video:  https://youtu.be/byRyZhg3pTE
3.  Once your students have created their Mindfulness Fortune Teller, read the directions on how to play to them and give them time to work with a partner.
4.  Please remind your students that: 
     - as with anything new, it takes time to get comfortable with things that we aren't used to doing.  It's ok to feel uncomfortable because we all do!  If an activity is very uncomfortable, try breaking it down into smaller parts.  For example, if you don't feel comfortable taking 3 deep breaths, maybe try for one to start.  The goal isn't for you to be perfect; it is for you to begin.
     - there is no right or wrong way to do Mindfulness.  The most important part is finding coping skills that help us calm down and focus when we are stressed.  We are all going to be stressed this week and next!
5.  Keep this fortune teller with you so that you can pull it out and find an activity to do when you feel overwhelmed. 
6.  Have fun!

For you, the teacher:
This activity is also for you to help you take care of yourself during these next 2 weeks.  Pick an activity and run with it when you need it! 
Please recycle any paper that you don't use.  Feel free to put them in Tre's mailbox if you don't have a recycle bin at your disposal!


Thank you and have a great week!