This Week in Health (November 11-15th)

Ms. Riccio's Classes:

In all classes we are starting off the week with a little stress/anger management. I was inspired by our unified arts team professional development last week in which we received guidance on how to manage students with mental health issues. Anger was a major topic we discussed and I was reminded how many young people don't necessarily have the tools at this point in their life to be able to control their anger. I decided that health class was a perfect opportunity to teach students some of these tools. I emphasize to my students that anger is an "OK" emotion to experience. We all feel anger at some points in our lives. What is not OK, is to act on that anger in a way that could hurt oneself or another person. Throughout the term I am going to be providing students with various anger management tools.

The students started off by identifying what makes them feel comfortable and relaxed, as well as what "triggers" their anger. Then, we discussed why it was important to be able to control our anger. Many students identified the dangers related to harming oneself and others, as well as ruining friendships and other relationships. Students then shared some of the tools they already use to help calm them down when they are angry or upset. Some of the strategies they shared included listening to music, having some alone time, playing sports, punching a pillow, and counting down from 10. We ended class with practicing some deep breathing and a 10 minute guided meditation.

6th Grade:

We will be beginning the 2nd Step Program, a curriculum directed towards social and emotional health, and bullying prevention. The first few lessons will focus on empathy and communication.Students will be learning what "empathy" means and how to demonstrate empathy through their body language, words, tone of voice, and facial expressions.

7th Grade: 

We will be beginning our unit on relationships. Students will start by identifying the various relationships that exist in their lives as teenagers, as well as the essential qualities necessary in  healthy relationships. Students will also be identifying and discussing qualities and behaviors that might make a relationship unhealthy.

8th Grade: 

We will be beginning our unit on values and beliefs. Students will spend the first few days in the unit defining the term "value" and identifying the most significant values in their lives. Students will also have the opportunity to express their beliefs and values in front of their peers as they vote on a variety of topics such as the importance of education.

Ms. Tash's Classes:

6th Grade:

We will be starting our unit on communications kills. Students will learn and practice how to listen, speak properly, appropriate volume and tone of voice, reading facial expressions, and body language.

7th Grade:

The students will be creating "friendship pyramids" in period 4 and AIDS Awareness posters in period 3. Also, on Fridays period 3 students will be joining the Applied Academic Students in their classroom. The purpose of this is to make friends and develop empathy for those that are different than themselves.

8th Grade:

The students will begin exploring "who am i?". They will discuss and write on this topic, and at the end of the week will create a self portrait poster.