Welcome Back!!! Here’s to 2015!! Let’s make it GREAT!

Yearly Expectations 21 st Century Learning: All teachers in the 8 th grade use technology such as websites, social media, blogs, etc. to bring the classroom to you. Students should take advantage of this opportunity as well as be responsible citizens of the interactive classroom community. Grade Level Expectations: NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED IN THE 8 TH GRADE. Our goal is to help you become successful, responsible students. Work will not be accepted after the due date. Tardiness is not acceptable. You will receive a detention after the third classroom tardy. This is not per teacher but per class. Treat others with respect through actions and words. NO BULLYING WILL BE TOLERATED! Agendas must be kept at all times, to use as hall passes for bathroom breaks, drinks, etc. (Write name in highlighter on hall pass page.) BYOD Policy per individual teacher.

Discovery Program Review the Redirect Script (locate place where this will be found in the classroom) Attending Skills Be in the Moment Positive Body Language Positive Eye Contact Positive Feedback Question for Validation or Clarification

Being in the Moment Being in the moment means bringing an active awareness of what is going on right here, right now. What keeps us from being in the moment? Lack of interest in the experience at hand. Lazy brain. (Concentration is a learned skill. It takes practice.) Physiological abnormalities in brain. Inability to control emotions.

NOT in the moment. Strictly speaking, you don’t get redirected for not being in the moment. You get redirected for behaviors that are inconsistent with being in the moment. Talking to fellow student. Staring into space. Writing when you’ve been asked to listen. Engaging in any activity that is not directly related to task at hand.

Appropriate Body Language Appropriate body language means using your body (posture, hand gestures, location, etc.) in ways that make it easier to communicate with others.

Body language that blocks communication. Laying your head down. Turning away from the other person. Slouching (in a situation that requires a show of respect and attentiveness). Refusing to acknowledge the other person with your eyes.

Appropriate Eye Contact Appropriate eye contact means using your eyes to make and maintain a social connection with one or more individuals. Appropriate eye contact tells the other person, “I’m with you and I’m listening.” Appropriate eye contact is NOT staring.

When (or why) do people NOT make “appropriate” eye contact? When they are not interested in maintaining a connection with the other person. When they are refusing a request for a connection. When they lack confidence or self-value. When they suffer from a social disorder such as extreme shyness, autism, or reactive attachment disorder. When their culture demands deference to higher status individuals.

Appropriate Feedback Appropriate feedback means choosing words and body language that matches the message you received from another person. Feedback is appropriate when it keeps the line of communication on track and flowing smoothly.

Examples of appropriate (or inappropriate) feedback. Teacher: “Am I explaining this correctly?” Student: “Is it time for lunch?” Mom: “It really upsets me when you come home late.” Son: “That’s your problem.” Employer: “I’ve scheduled you for 25 hours next week.” Employee: “That’s not gonna happen.”

Discovery Program Review the 6 Ps 6 Ps Prompt Prepared Polite Produce Positive Mental Attitude Participate

6 PsLooks like… Prompt*arriving on time *ready to begin work *traveling between classes in common area appropriately and not in a manner that poses danger to others (no running, pushing, shoving) Prepared*bring needed supplies *ready to listen and learn *proper dress code Polite*Respect towards each other, no teasing *Appropriate language *No littering or disrespect of school and/or others’ property *No physical contact (holding hands, PDA, hugging) Produce*Completing assignments or homework *Proper use of class time made available to complete work Positive Mental Attitude *Student Viewing Him or Herself Positively *student ready to participate, doesn’t give up Participate*no disruption (talking, tapping, whistling, singing) *Readily participates or listens in classroom

7 Habits of Highly Effective People The 7 habits are principles that help people to be leaders of themselves and others. Habit 1: Be proactive – Take responsibility for your life Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind – Define your mission and goals in life. Habit 3: Put first things first – Prioritize, and do the most important things first. Habit 4: Think win-win – Have an everyone-can-win attitude. Habit 5: Seek first to understand, then to be understood – Listen to people sincerely. Habit 6: Synergize – Work together to achieve more. Habit 7: Sharpen the saw – Renew yourself regularly.

6 P’s + 7 Habits Prompt – Habit 1: Be Proactive Prepared – Habit 1: Be Proactive Positive Attitude – Habit 1: Be Proactive Produce (What I Will Get Done.) – Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind Participate – Habit 3: Put First Things First Polite – Habit 4:Think Win/Win; Habit 5:Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood