Brock TAG

Diversity Week Feb 20 - 23

2012-02-19T09:15:00.000-08:00

This Week's Big Events

Mon, Feb 20 Diversity Week Kick-off Assembly after lunch

Tues, Feb 21 Start "I Am" Activity in TAG classes

Wed, Feb 22 Activity Afternoon during C and D blocks

Thurs, Feb 23 Charity dance 6:00-8:30

Diversity Week

The Assembly - Our Kick-Off assembly will take place after lunch (during B block) on Monday, Feb 20th. B block classes will be called down to the gym. Teachers should sit with their classes in the bleachers or the chairs. The assembly should not be more than an hour, so you will likely return to B block with your students.

I Am Activity - After our assembly, you will see that "I Am" is a theme for this week. It is also the theme for our dance. Please carry this theme into your TAG classes this week by working on this activity:

I Am Class Activity

Big paper is available in the staffroom or in the yearbook room. If you choose dark coloured paper, write on it with chalk (Nikki has lots).

Activity Afternoon - Students will attend two different presentations/activities during the afternoon of Wed, Feb 22nd. C and D block teachers will host presenters on this afternoon. I emailed out a list of presentations and teacher/room assignments on Friday. Please check that email for other important information.

Afternoon Activity Options

Activity Teacher/Room Assignments

There are some last minute changes being made; if a change affects you, I'll let you know.

Charity Dance - The "I Am" dance will be this Thursday 6:00-8:30. All of the profits from this dance will be donated to "I Am a Girl." Tickets go on sale Tuesday for $4 at lunch. Tickets will be $5 at the door. Students should "Come as You Are" to the dance.

What's Happening Feb 13-17

2012-02-12T19:51:00.000-08:00

The next two weeks are BUSY, so hold on and enjoy the activities...

Upcoming Events

Mon, Feb 13 Find-Your-Match Activity. Leadership
students will deliver these during TAG.
Tues, Feb 14 Steal-A-Heart Activity. Leadership students
will deliver these in TAG.
Wed, Feb 15 Red and White Day
Thurs, Feb 16 Leadership students in TAG classes so students
can select their activities for Feb. 22
Mon, Feb 20 Diversity Week Kick-off Assembly after lunch
Wed, Feb 22 Activity Afternoon during C and D blocks
Thurs, Feb 23 Charity dance 6:00-8:30

Diversity Week

The Assembly - Our Kick-Off assembly will take place after lunch (during B block) on Monday, Feb 20th. We are still putting the assembly together, but we're anticipating it will be about one hour long.

Activity Afternoon - Students will attend two different presentations/activities during the afternoon of Wed, Feb 22nd. C and D block teachers will host presenters on this afternoon. We will be sharing more information via email.

Charity Dance - Leadership students are choosing their charity this week. All proceeds from this dance will be donated to a charity that fits with the theme of our Diversity Week. We will be needing volunteer supervisors, so please let us know if you can come out on the 23rd.

Anxiety
Grade 7 teachers now have their packages for teaching an anxiety unit in their classes.
Grade 8/9 TAG classes will each receive one anxiety lesson from counsellors during the week of Feb 27 - Mar 2. A schedule will be sent out.

Sexual Health
We are scheduled to finish the sexual health unit in two weeks. I'm not sure if this works for everyone; I know, I'm behind. Please let me know where you're at and it will help me to plan for the next month of TAG lessons.

2012-02-05T23:56:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Events...

Feb 8-14 Matchmakers go on sale for $2

Feb 20-23 Diversity Week

Please keep checking the Zimbra calendar for more events.

Please share with our TAG...

Yearbooks on Sale

Please talk to your TAG class about purchasing a yearbook. The new 2012 cover can be viewed in the display case at the front of the school. We will only order approximately 20 extra books this year - last year we sold out - so students won't want to miss the opportunity to pre-purchase a book. They are now $45 in the office.

Dance Attendance

Our next dance is scheduled for Thursday, Feb 23rd. Starting this week, students with office referrals will find themselves on a no-fly list.

Health and Career Curriculum

We continue with our sexual health unit.

The week of February 27th, counsellors will be coming into each TAG class for one block to deliver an anxiety lesson as part of our Brock Project. The schedule will be shared via email.

What's Happening Jan30 - Feb3

2012-01-29T19:12:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Events
Jan 30 Term 3 Begins (see note below)
Jan 31 Leadership students come into TAG classes
Feb 8-14 Matchmakers go on sale for $2
Feb 20-23 Diversity Week
Please keep checking the Zimbra calendar for more events.

Beginning Term 3
Please read the following information from the counselling department...

As you know, the next term/semester begins on Monday. Most students know what changes to expect in their schedule. We will not be printing paper schedules for distribution.

However, we wanted to remind you that ALL teachers are able to access student schedules in ESIS and would like you to do so today.

It is quite simple to do.
1. In your Teacher Assistant page, click on the name of a student
2. Click the "Basic Demographics" button (near the top of the window)
3. In the window that opens, click the "Schedules" tab - Viola!!

Any elective course that is in the second "semester" will have its four digit block code (the "S" column) begin with a 2. They will also tend to be at the bottom of the list.

To help students remember their new electives, we are suggesting taking some time in TAG to remind students of the coming changes.

How to Read a Timetable
Not sure how to read those crazy timetables? Here's a crash course...

S=semester (0=all year, 1=first semester, 2=second semester)
T=term (1=first term, 2=second term)
D=day (1=ABCD, 2=EFGH)
P=period (1 = A or E, 2 = B or F, 3 = C or G, 4 = D or H)

So... Day 2, Period 3 is G block.

Bullying Issues
While we find ourselves in the middle of a sexual health unit, can we take some time to speak to our TAG classes about a recent rise in bullying? Maybe things have been brewing and are finally coming to a head, or maybe we've all got a little cabin fever; whatever the reason, the counselling and administrative offices have seen a rise in bullying incidents over the last 1-2 weeks.

Please take time to remind students that gossiping, name calling, rumour spreading, etc. all lead to bullying and escalating conflicts. Please encourage students to seek out a trusted adult if they are experiencing conflicts with peers.

Health and Career Curriculum
The Sexual Health Unit continues. Some teachers are choosing to change the order that material is covered. This is great. Let me know if there's something I can do for you or if there are resources I can help you find.

What's Happening Jan 23-27

2012-01-22T11:52:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Events
Jan 31 Leadership students come into TAG classes
Feb 8-14 Matchmakers go on sale for $2
Feb 20-23 Diversity Week
Please keep checking the Zimbra calendar for more events.

Opportunity for Girls
Will Blair has requested that we promote the "Explore Sports Program for Girls" in our TAG classes. This is an opportunity for girls to explore a variety of sports along with an instructor. This information is time-sensitive, so your immediate attention is very appreciated. Here are the details:

Who: It's for all girls in middle school. First-come-first-served for available seats
Location: Kay Bingham
Times: Wednesdays 4:40-6:00 starting Feb. 1st through May 30th, excluding Feb. 22 (parent teacher interviews), March 21 (spring break)
Instructor: Miranda Dick
Cost: Free
What: They will explore a variety of sports - not necessarily the usual sports
To Sign Up: If TAG teachers could email the NAME, GRADE, and PHONE NUMBER of interested students to WILL BLAIR, that would be great.

Health and Career Curriculum
Some classes will still be covering the lessons on abuse while others will be moving onto "Responsibilities and Consequences." Choose the pace that works for your group and feel free to modify/adapt the lessons as you see fit.

Remember there are some DVDs available through Nikki.

What's Happening Jan 16-20

2012-01-15T10:14:00.000-08:00

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Upcoming Dates
Leadership students would like to come in sometime in the next two weeks to poll students. I'll post the date ASAP.

Health and Career Curriculum

Puberty
A number of teachers have indicated they need more time to complete the lessons on puberty. Please take the time you need to complete the lessons.

Abuse

The next lessons may result in disclosures of abuse. Please be aware of the following before starting the lessons:

Before class, review our School District Policy on reporting abuse: SD 73 Policy on Reporting Abuse If you have questions about reporting, counsellors can help.
Ensure your students understand that disclosures of abuse cannot be kept confidential. Disclosures will result in the immediate aid to the student who is or has been abused.
Anticipate where discussions will lead in order to protect students from revealing inappropriate personal information to the whole group.

What's Happening Jan9-13

2012-01-08T09:31:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Events

Monday Jan 9 Leadership students will deliver and collect

iFLURTZ (formerly Matchmaker) surveys to TAGs

Health and Career Curriculum
Getting Ready
1. If you haven’t had a chance to visit the website, take a few minutes and visit Teaching Sexual HealthThe website has helpful tips for teachers and advice for teaching sexual health.
2. It is suggested that you start this unit by setting some ground rules in your classroom. Here are sample ground rules you could use (all similar but slightly different).
Ground Rules 1 Ground Rules 2 Ground Rules 3 Ground Rules 4

3. It is also suggested that you use a Question Box in your classroom. Information about using a question box is provided here: Question Box

4. Girls and Boys should receive all of the information. They need to understand each other as well as themselves.

5. Students who have brought back an "opt out" form need to leave during these lessons. As an alternative to sitting in the hallway, try to find another TAG class for the student(s) to attend during your lesson days.

What to Cover this Week
1. By the time you establish ground rules and the question box, there may be very little time left for some TAG classes to begin other content this week.

2. I imagine that each class will look different. Cover the part(s) of each lesson you feel fits best with your class. You may choose to use the handouts, or just engage in class discussion. Some may use group work, while other classes may not.

3. This week, covering Rates of Puberty Change Lessons 1&2 would be ideal, but may be too much for some classes. I would appreciate any feedback you could give me by the end of the week so I can find the right pace for everyone.

What's Happening Jan 3- Jan 6

2012-01-01T10:08:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year and Welcome Back!

Reminders

Before the holidays information letters went home regarding the upcoming Sexual Health unit and the Fruit and Veggie Program. If any students did not receive these letters, please ensure they go home this week. The deadline to return the "opt out" portion is January 10th.

Health and Career Curriculum

This week we will focus on setting goals (New Year’s Resolutions) for the new year.

Consider these steps:

1. As a class or in groups discuss what students know about New Year’s resolutions.

2. Use this short handout to tell the class about the history of new year’s resolutions. There’s more to the story if you want to google it yourself:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamNjVlNTdiMzAtOWRjOC00OTQzLTg5MDktYzkzNjQ3MzgyZGVh&hl=en&authkey=CM37ndQL

3. Next, brainstorm ideas for New Year’s resolutions. Consider putting students into groups or doing a class brainstorm. Use this handout to help students organize their ideas. The second page of this handout has a number of ideas that may help students get started.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamNGY5MmQzZDMtMzZmNy00MmZiLWIwZmMtNzBiMGU4MGE3NzAx&hl=en&authkey=CPmg3_YI

4. Line master 1-1 is a worksheet that helps students to identify what is most important to them. Have students use the brainstorming as a source for ideas.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamZjAzZTg1MGYtMjFjMS00M2I4LWI2NGItNzlkMmI2MWI4YmFi&hl=en&authkey=CJ2SlBg

5. Line master 1-2 is a worksheet that asks students to choose ONE of their ideas from 1-1 and turn it into a goal. Modeling the process on a transparency will help students to complete their own sheet.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamMWJkNGFlZTMtZGUzYS00ZTBmLThkNTMtYWJjODgwN2NjZmMx&hl=en&authkey=CO-g398L

If you complete these lessons, here are some handouts that focus on Finding Balance.

Balance-It’s Personal https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamMDMyM2VmMzEtYTk2Zi00ODM1LWE2M2QtNTRjY2U2NTJmOTU1&hl=en&authkey=CKT-wssE

Personal Balance Wheel https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamMGYyN2I2OGMtNDQ5Ny00Nzc5LThlNTctMTIyNTUzYjJiZTRk&hl=en&authkey=CNzz7u0B

Making Choices: Finding Your Balance https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamYjdkMDhkYzAtNDE0ZC00OTE0LTgwZTQtNWU3NjFmODA4OGY5&hl=en&authkey=CNLC5t4F

Last TAG before Christmas!

2011-12-09T10:08:00.000-08:00

Ho ho ho, it's the last week!

Upcoming Events

Dec 12-14 Food Drive and Cart Decorating continue

Dec 13 Crazy Hat Day (Kitamura's class organizing)

Dec 14 Shopping Cart Parade during IRA

Dec 15 Wacky Tacky Sweater Day

Dec 16 Red and Green Day
Dec 16 Christmas Assembly - schedule to be announced.

Leadership Students Coming into TAG

Leadership students will be coming into TAG classes Monday-Wednesday to count food items and collect cash donations.

Shopping Carts

Your TAG class is asked to decorate the cart for the parade AND fill it with non-perishable food donations.

How you decorate your cart is up to you. Choosing a theme can make it fun. The big rolls of paper are available in the staffroom. Also, there are decorations available in the storage room in the staffroom.

Curriculum
I have not posted new curriculum for this week. Have a great week with your students decorating your carts, playing games, and easing into the holidays.

Locker Checks, Clean Out, & Safety Concern

If you haven't done a locker check and clean out, please do one before Christmas. Please make sure students DO NOT have AEROSOL sprays. Also, please make sure students are using their assigned lockers.

Due to the number of fires being set, lighters have been banned in the school. Students have been lighting themselves, others, and the girls' bathrooms on fire. Please speak to your students about the seriousness of this concern.

What's Happening Dec 5 - 9

2011-12-04T09:30:00.000-08:00

It must be close to Christmas, because we are BUSY!

Dec 5 Inservice Day / Shopping Carts Arrive

Dec 6 Food Drive Begins / Leadership Students in TAGs

Dec 7 Breakfast with Santa for Grade 7s

Dec 8-9 Photos with Santa at Lunch

Dec 8 Early closure at 2:30

Dec 13 Crazy Hat Day (Kitamura's class organizing)

Dec 14 Shopping Cart Parade during IRA

Dec 15 Wacky Tacky Sweater Day

Dec 16 Red and Green Day / Christmas Assembly

Thank You

A HUGE thank you and a big PAT ON THE BACK to Tracey Epp's class who organized and promoted Mustache Day. It was a huge success, and looks like it could be a new Brock tradition.

Candy Grams

Members of the Me 2 We group will be selling Candygrams during lunch hours starting this week. Students and staff can purchase a Candygrams for friends and they will be delivered next week to TAG classes. The Candygrams are 50 cents each and all proceeds go toward a clean water project in Kenya.

Leadership Students Coming into TAG

Leadership students will be coming into TAG classes on Tuesday to explain the Shopping Cart Parade and Food Drive as well as other upcoming events. There is a lot of information to share, so please help them by ensuring your class is attentive. You will see them at least one more time before the Christmas Assembly.

Shopping Carts

Shopping carts arrive this Monday. Please make sure they are secured in your room and DO NOT leave the room. Your TAG class is asked to decorate the cart for the parade AND fill it with non-perishable food donations.

How you decorate your cart is up to you. Choosing a theme can make it fun. The big rolls of paper are available (one in the yearbook room and another one that's usually in the staffroom).

Locker Checks, Clean Out, & Safety Concern

If you haven't done a locker check and clean out, please do one soon. Please make sure students DO NOT have AEROSOL sprays. Also, please make sure students are using their assigned lockers.

Health and Career

Continuing with our unit on relationships by focusing on handling conflicts. This lesson is intended to take 2-3 classes, so it is the same lesson that I posted last week.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1BVggsewHamYzM1NzE0ODEtYmE2ZC00OTUyLTk4YmUtNmM3ZTFkN2E2MjZk

In counselling we are seeing a number of students in conflict with their peers. These lessons are intended to give students skills for walking away from escalating conflicts and then work toward a process of conflict resolution.

What's Happening Nov 28 - Dec 2

2011-11-27T11:36:00.000-08:00

Here Comes December...

Upcoming Events

Nov 28 Leadership Students in TAG to explain Vow of Silence

Nov 30 Mustache Day

Dec 1 Vow of Silence Day (note change of dates)

Dec 2 Pajama Day

Dec 5 Inservice Day / Shopping Carts Arrive

Dec 6 Food Drive Begins / Leadership Students in TAGs

Dec 7 Breakfast with Santa for Grade 7s

Dec 8-9 Photos with Santa at Lunch

Dec 8 Early closure at 2:30

Dec 13 Crazy Hat Day (Kitamura's class organizing)

Dec 14 Shopping Cart Parade during IRA

Dec 15 Wacky Tacky Sweater Day

Dec 16 Red and Green Day / Christmas Assembly

Locker Checks and Clean Out

Please do a locker check and clean out soon.

Please make sure students DO NOT have AEROSOL sprays.

Also, please make sure students are using their assigned lockers.

Health and Career

Continuing with our unit on relationships, the next two weeks will focus on handling conflicts. This lesson is intended to take 2-3 classes, so I will not post a new lesson for next week.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1BVggsewHamYzM1NzE0ODEtYmE2ZC00OTUyLTk4YmUtNmM3ZTFkN2E2MjZk

What's Happening Nov 21-25

2011-11-20T18:53:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Events (all on Zimbra Calendar)
Nov 23 Leadership students coming into TAG classes
Nov 25 I Am Not An Object Day
Nov 30 Mustache Day / Vow of Silence Day

Dec 2 Pajama Day
Dec 5 Inservice Day / Shopping Carts Arrive
Dec 6 Food Drive Begins / Leadership Students in TAGs
Dec 7 Breakfast with Santa for Grade 7s
Dec 8-9 Photos with Santa at Lunch
Dec 13 Crazy Hat Day (Kitamura's class organizing)
Dec 14 Shopping Cart Parade during IRA
Dec 15 Wacky Tacky Sweater Day
Dec 16 Red and Green Day / Christmas Assembly

I Am Not An Object Day
A few leadership students have asked if our school can observe "I Am Not an Object Day" on Friday, Nov. 25th. So, leadership students will be coming into TAG classes on Wednesday to educate you and your students about it.

Vow of Silence Day
Bev Brown sent out an email this weekend explaining that students from the Me to We group will be coming into TAG classes this week to explain this upcoming event.

Good Ideas...
Do you know what's going on in other TAG classes? There are some great ideas out there. Here's one:
In Ms. Mazur's class, they observe "Diversity Wednesday." On these days, Ms. Mazur shows clips from movies and TV and leads discussions about diversity!
What are you doing? Let me know and I'll share it on the blog.

Health and Career Curriculum
Last week, we started looking at healthy relationships. This week we continue by looking at the role Facebook and texting plays in relationships and "Digital Drama."

Here's a link to tips you can discuss with your students. If you only choose to do one health and career lesson with your students this week, taking time to discuss these point should be your priority:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1BVggsewHamZTQ1NmIwNjMtMTI4Yy00ZThlLTg0YTQtYjQ5Y2M0ZDMxYTA3

Following this discussion, you could give students this handout that asks them to reflect on the content of the discussion and create fake Facebook profiles:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1BVggsewHamMzg1MTJmNzUtZTUzMy00OGY4LThiY2MtN2ZiYjI4MzZjODk1

This Facebook template goes with the handout above:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1BVggsewHamZDM5OTk5MzEtOWQxZC00OTEzLWJkZTQtZDhhYjNjMTA2ZTM5

What's Happening Nov14-18

2011-11-13T19:08:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Events to Discuss in TAG:
Nov 30 Mustache Day
Dec 5 Pro-D
Dec 5 Shopping carts arrive in TAG classes
Dec 6 Food drive begins
Dec 8-9 Photos with Santa at lunch
Dec 14 Shopping Cart Parade
Dec 16 Christmas Assembly
EVERY FRIDAY Wear Brock Blue to show your school spirit

Additional Events before Christmas
(Dates Undecided):
Crazy Hat Day (hosted by Mr. Kitamura's class?)
Wacky Tacky Sweater Day
Red & Green Day
Breakfast with Santa for grade 7s

We Are Keeping Track
Leadership students have been tallying participation in special events, and Mr. Campbell's class is in the lead. Encourage your students to participate all the time. The TAG class with the highest total before the Christmas assembly will receive preferential seating.

HELP
There are several Health For Life textbooks and teacher guides missing. If you have any in your room, please let Nikki know.

Healthy Relationships
Starting this week, we'll spend some time on healthy relationships in TAG classes.

1. Begin by brainstorming the different types of relationships
students have: friendships, boy/girlfriend, family,
teacher/student, etc.

2. Take his Friendly Quiz to start talking about friendships
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1BVggsewHamZjA0YjhiMTEtNGRjOS00YjI1LWE3MDgtMTdjMTc0NjZmOTY0

3. Use this handout to discuss the 7 characteristics of a
healthy relationship.
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1BVggsewHamMDNiNGE5MGYtYTIwYS00MWZlLWIwNmQtOWI2ZWYzMGFiMGRi

4. If you are interested, ask students to make posters (or a
giant banner for the hallway) with slogans that remind
students of one or all of the 7 qualities of a healthy
relationship.
For example: "TRUST is the sign of a healthy relationship"
"Healthy relationships are built on HONESTY"
"A good friend RESPECTS me for me"

What's Happening Nov7 - Nov10

2011-11-06T08:49:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Dates

Monday, Nov 7 Start of Term 2 - Grade 7 students change elective classes
Thursday, Nov 10 Remembrance Day Assembly - please review the expectations for this assembly that include NO APPLAUSE.
Friday, Nov 11 No School
Wednesday, Nov 30 is Moustache Day - organized by Ms. Epp's class.

Something to Think About...

How is your TAG going? One of the reasons we have multi-grade TAG classes is so students can be moved between TAG classes if necessary. With the beginning of a new term, there's no better time to think about this. If you have a difficult student, maybe there's another teacher who is a better fit? Talk to your colleagues. If a change is made, please let counselling know so we can enter it into ESIS.

Preparing for Remembrance Day

This week is Remembrance Day, so this will continue to be our curriculum focus for this week. The following link takes you to the Canadian Legion’s Teacher Guide:

http://www.legion.ca/_PDF/Teachers/T_GUIDE_E.pdf

The guide provides a brief history of the conflicts that Canadian troops have engaged in over our history. It also has some poems, short essays, and discussion topics.

Depending on your group, you may want to split up the history and ask groups to share a portion of the information, or you may choose to read a portion to them.

Pages 20-27 in the guide have a collection of war-related poems written by Canadians.
Pages 29-30, 31, are two stories/essays that might make good reading.
Page 35 provides an age-appropriate overview of the significance of Remembrance Day.

In addition to this resource, there are several copies of a Remembrance Day news publication available in the mailbox room. This also has several stories you can share.

Finally, the following website is for The Memory Project which records the stories of veterans.

http://www.thememoryproject.com/Stories.aspx

If you click on this link, it takes you directly to the “Stories” portion of the site. You can choose from dozens of stories. If you bring up a story in your classroom, you can play the audio over your computer speakers, or you can print off the transcript of the story you choose. Some of these stories are quite powerfully told by the veterans themselves.

What's Happening Oct 31 - Nov 4

2011-10-30T11:03:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Dates

Monday, Oct 31 Dress up for Halloween & Pageant at Lunch in the Cafeteria

Friday, Nov 4 End of Term 1

Monday, Nov 7 Start of Term 2 - Grade 7 students change elective classes

Thursday, Nov 10 Remembrance Day Assembly - please review the expectations for this assembly that include NO APPLAUSE.

Heart-to-Heart Time

It’s time to have a serious discussion with your TAG students about hallway behaviour and healthy relationships. In the hallway we are observing a lot of hands-on, hugging, shoving, and the recently popular activity among boys: hitting each other in the crotch. Please discuss these issues with your students and review the behaviour expectations. At the same time, discuss the difference between appropriate and inappropriate hugging and hands-on.

Preparing for Remembrance Day

Next week is Remembrance Day, so this will be our curriculum focus for the next two weeks. The following link takes you to the Canadian Legion’s Teacher Guide:

http://www.legion.ca/_PDF/Teachers/T_GUIDE_E.pdf

The guide provides a brief history of the conflicts that Canadian troops have engaged in over our history. It also has some poems, short essays, and discussion topics.

Depending on your group, you may want to split up the history and ask groups to share a portion of the information, or you may choose to read a portion to them.

Pages 20-27 in the guide have a collection of war-related poems written by Canadians.
Pages 29-30, 31, are two stories/essays that might make good reading.
Page 35 provides an age-appropriate overview of the significance of Remembrance Day.

In addition to this resource, there are several copies of a Remembrance Day news publication available in the mailbox room. This also has several stories you can share.

Finally, the following website is for The Memory Project which records the stories of veterans.

http://www.thememoryproject.com/Stories.aspx

If you click on this link, it takes you directly to the “Stories” portion of the site. You can choose from dozens of stories. If you bring up a story in your classroom, you can play the audio over your computer speakers, or you can print off the transcript of the story you choose. Some of these stories are quite powerfully told by the veterans themselves.

What's Happening Oct 24 - 28

2011-10-22T23:14:00.000-07:00

The Halloween Dance was a huge success. THANK YOU to all the staff who came out to supervise.

Important Dates to Remember

Thursday, Oct 27 Photo Retakes and Early Dismissal for Parent Teacher Interviews
Friday, Oct 28 Theme Day changed to “Gotta Wear Shades Day” Wear sun glasses and win prizes for your TAG class.
Monday, Oct 31 Halloween Activities - see below for details
Friday, Nov 4 is the end of Term 1.
Thursday, Nov 10 Remembrance Day assembly

Monday, Oct 31 is Halloween

All students and staff are encouraged to dress up for the day.
At lunch in the cafeteria we will have a Halloween Fashion Show. ALL students who have dressed up for the day are encouraged to walk across the stage and show off their costume. Points will be awarded to TAG classes (1 point per participant), so encourage your TAG students to dress up and come out for the pageant. The winning grade 7 TAG and the winning grade 8/9 TAG will win a candy prize.
Also at lunch in the main hall we will have free face painting.

Friday, Nov 4 is the end of term 1. Please start to prepare your grade 7 students who will be switching their practical and fine arts classes on Monday, Nov 7.

PBIS

This week (or maybe it was last week?) Bev put a package in your mailbox outlining the LIVE focus for each month. Please be sure to continually review the LIVE Matrix with your students in TAG. Daily announcements offer reminders about this.

LITTER SURVEY

If you did not get a chance to complete the litter survey last week, here is the link again. Please take some time to discuss this issue with your students and drop off the survey in Nikki’s mailbox. For some reason, when the survey prints it chops off the last two questions. I’m not sure why it’s doing this, so be sure to read the survey on the computer as well.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ypxr6potVdvj7tgh3FWr4SnjkxEaUmjLozJf1it1QJM/edit?hl=en_US

STUDY TIPS

Last week, I posted a link to a resource about test anxiety. Page 17 of this resource covers study tips. Here’s the link again:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamZjkyMTIyM2EtMGRhZi00ZDFjLTlhOTUtMjZkY2UxYzA2ZGFk&hl=en_US

For a lesson, run off page 17 for each student OR make an overhead of the page. Then give each student a blank page OR this handout: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamYmNiMjVlZmQtZmVkYS00NWU2LWFmMDctM2M1ZTg5NTU3NzUx&hl=en_US

Ask students to use either illustrations, symbols, or words to represent what they SHOULD and SHOULD NOT do to study effectively. (see the handout for ideas).

Assign a DO or DO NOT topic to each student and have him/her make a small poster. Put all the posters up in the room as reminders of how to study.

What's Happening Oct 17-21

2011-10-14T15:48:00.000-07:00

What’s Happening Oct 17-21

Important Dates to Remember

Thursday, Oct 20 – Photo Retakes and School Dance 6:00-8:80

Friday, Oct 21 – Pro-D

Thursday, Oct 27 – Early dismissal for Parent Teacher Interviews

Friday, Oct 28 – Theme Day (Superhero Day)

Monday, Oct 31 – Dress up for Halloween and Face Painting in the Main Hall at Lunch

Coming Together

Thank you to the teachers who have already claimed dates and started planning theme days. The following dates are still available:

Nov.16, Dec.15, Jan.13, 27, Feb.10, Mar9, Apr.13,27, May11,25, June.1,5

If your class is interested, please claim a date by posting your theme on the Zimbra calendar or let Nikki know and I can post it for you.

TAG Business for this Week

Please speak with your TAG class about "overly affectionate" behaviour in our hallways and on the playgound. A few couples have been reminded to break it up. There are also a number of students who hug EVERYONE and need to be reminded that our "keep hands, feet, objects to self" rule includes this type of behaviour. A discussion of what IS and what IS NOT appropriate would be helpful.

The Brock Beautification and Safety Committee met this week to discuss several different issues. One issue was a concern over the amount of litter around Brock. To get some discussion started among TAG classes, please use the following survey. This survey could be done as part of a whole-class discussion or in small groups. Please return your completed survey to Nikki’s mailbox.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ypxr6potVdvj7tgh3FWr4SnjkxEaUmjLozJf1it1QJM/edit?hl=en_US
On the topic of cleanliness, it’s time for a locker clean out. This week, please find time during TAG to conduct a locker clean out and locker check. Please bring your garbage cans and recycle bins into the hall with you and encourage students to put items into the correct receptacles. Writing should be cleaned off, library books should be returned if overdue, etc.

Last week we started on goal-setting. Some classes may have finished this, but others are still in progress. I’ve included a link here to a booklet from Anxiety BC. It focuses on Test Anxiety, which may be an issue for certain students in your TAG, but for this week, I’m suggesting a look at pages 13-15 which focus on test taking tips.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamZjkyMTIyM2EtMGRhZi00ZDFjLTlhOTUtMjZkY2UxYzA2ZGFk&hl=en_US
I haven’t made an fancy handouts or worksheets. It might be worth asking students to bring in a recent test and discuss what was easy or hard about it. Following that, share some of the tips with them. You might also consider giving groups a set of tips that they share with the class. Be creative!

What's Happening Oct 11 - 14

2011-10-10T20:55:00.000-07:00

I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving and a good rest...now back to work!

Important Dates:

Thurs 13th Me to We. The grade 7 assembly is cancelled.
Thurs 20th Photo Retakes. Please make sure ALL of your TAG students have been photographed or they will not appear in the yearbook.
Thurs 20th School Dance 6:00-8:30
Fri 21st Pro-D

An Opportunity for TAG Classes to Come Together:

Last year, some teachers expressed an interest in using their TAG classes to plan and "host" Theme Days at Brock. So here's your chance. You are encouraged to pair up with another TAG class and plan a theme day for the entire school. You will need to:

Decide what kind of a theme day you will sponsor. Eg. Crazy Hat Day, Ugly Sweater Day, Wear Shades Day, etc.
Choose one of the dates below and claim it by posting it on the Zimbra calendar. Include the theme so others do not duplicate your idea. First come, first lucky.
Plan the rules, the advertising, and (if you think it's important) the prizes.
Let leadership know if you need help.

There are 15 dates available, which means one per two TAGs. Any dates that are not claimed by the end of the October will be adopted by Leadership until another TAG comes along.

Here are the available dates:

Oct. 28, Nov. 16 & 30, Dec. 15, Jan. 13 & 27, Feb. 10

Mar. 9 & 30, Apr. 13 & 27, May 11 & 25, June 1 & 15

Health and Career Curriculum:

This month the focus will be on goal-setting, study skills, and test taking skills. Following this, the plan is to cover sexual health before Christmas.

This week, I've posted a set of lessons on goal-setting. If you have a lesson you prefer, feel free to use it.

Here's the lesson:https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=1hlrYBULCJ0CKQM5ySfU5EUv0dqDXW-nsU1PXNeF7umsEyGB_AL-_XPy4NsEp&hl=en

Here's a link to an article related to the lesson:

http://www.costcoconnection.com/connection/200806/?pg=12&pm=2&u1=friend

Here's the handout for third part of the lesson:

http://worksheetplace.com/mf/goalh.pdf

The "goal" is to encourage students to set goals, plan for success, and feel successful. There are lots of opportunities for sharing ideas in this unit, so take your time and enjoy getting to know what your students' dreams and ambitions are.

What's Happening Oct. 3-7

2011-10-02T10:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to October!

Some important dates to go over in TAG:

Wednesday, October 5 during H block we have a Pep Rally!

Monday, October 10 is Thanksgiving

Thursday, October 13 is Me to We.
Thursday, October 20 is our first dance of the year.
Friday, October 21 is an In Service Day.

Yearbooks are on sale now in the office for $40. They must be pre-ordered to guarantee a book in June.

Good news:

Thank you to Bev Brown and her class for organizing the First Annual Brock Terry Fox Run. Thank you to everyone who participated. Our donations equalled $220!

The Leadership students had a great time at Sky Trek on Friday. They were fantastic ambassadors for Brock.

Details to go over in TAG:

In your mailbox you received a package of Matrix Lessons. Please put these into your TAG handbook.

In the package there are lessons on using the different trash/recycling receptacles. Please go over this information with your students as the receptacles are not being used properly.

At last week's assembly, the behaviour wasn't perfect. Please review the matrix assembly lessons from last week with your class. They are still posted on the blog.

The Pep Rally is not a formal assembly, but it still requires students to be quiet at times and to act appropriately. Please remind your students to stay with their class and stay in their seats - there will be no dancing at the front this year. Teachers are also reminded to stay/sit with their class.

If you find time this week, please work toward finishing off the Matrix lessons. In particular, we need to cover the Off Campus lessons. They are in the handbook provided by Bev.

What's Happening September 26 - 30

2011-09-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Events to share with your TAG class...
Wednesday, Sept. 28th is the Terry Fox Run in C block. We will start on the field for a whole school photo and then proceed along the marked route.
Thursday, Sept. 29th is photo day. If you want to be included in the yearbook, make sure you get your photo taken.
Friday, Sept. 29th is BROCK BLUE DAY. Encourage your students to wear blue that day and reward them with LIVE tickets. On Friday, the leadership kids are on a field trip to Sky Trek Adventure park all day.

Wednesday, Oct. 5th we have a Pep Rally during H block. To work up to that, any students who receive a LIVE ticket on this Friday for wearing Brock Blue are asked to put their ticket into a special box in the office (or you can do this for them). We will draw from that box to determine who sits on the SPIRIT COUCH during the Pep Rally.

Miscellaneous Information...
Are you doing anything in your cassrooms that should be Documented in the yearbook? We are always looking for interesting photo opportunities. Email Nikki with details.

BINGO CARDS are available if you're interested in using them in any of your classes. Talk to Nikki if you're interested.

TAG Curriculum for this week...
With the Pep Rally around the corner and possibly one more assembly, it's time to review the assembly/performance portion of the matrix. Here is the link to the lesson plan and the handout you will need:
lesson plan
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamM2IzZTA5MDUtMmY4MS00ZWU5LTllNTAtZTU3YWZkNWZkNzQ1&hl=en_US

handout

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamY2NkZmM2MDktODY4ZC00ZjEyLWE5OWUtZTY0ZGJjOGViN2Ey&hl=en_US

Have a great week!

What's Happening in TAG Sept. 19 - 23

2011-09-18T12:37:00.000-07:00

How is it going so far?

The focus this week is on the Classroom and Library portions of the LIVE Matrix.

I have attached the lesson here. It will likely take two classes to complete:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamMmQwMTM1NTctMDJjYS00MmYyLTgwNmEtYzEzNzI3N2M0MjA3&hl=en

For the lesson, you will also need the following handouts:

Blank Matrix for Classroom and Library
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamNjVjOTEyZGYtZTI0NS00MDA3LTlmZWMtMjhkZjA0NDI0MzFj&hl=en_US

Cutouts for Matrix
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamZWE1MDQwYzUtMTEzMi00Yjg2LTk0YTctZWM0ODJmNzg3Yjhk&hl=en_US

Answer Key for Matrix
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamZjAyY2U1NjgtOGU0OS00YmE0LTlkMmMtMDkwOWJkZjEzM2Vl&hl=en_US

Scenarios
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamZmMzYjY5NzktYThlMy00MzcyLTgyODItMTI4YmEzNTRiODg1&hl=en_US

If you choose to use the Simpson's CD mentioned in the lesson, there are a few copies in a box in the mailroom. Please only take the CD on the day you need it and then return it for others to use.

Also this week, if you haven't already reviewed fire drill procedures with your TAG class, please make sure they know the expectations.

Are You Finding a Routine?
Finding a routine is a great way to use your TAG time.
Consider having a homework day, a current events day, a curriculum day, a game day, or any other routine day that helps to develop relationships and support students.
You are the expert for your own TAG class, so don't be afraid to abandon a curriculum day because your students need to catch up on homework. Or have a class discussion on a pressing issue instead of doing homework. Be flexible.

Social Media and Your Students...
If you're looking for a topic to discuss with your TAG class, the use of social media is great place to start. The back of the student planners has a whole section on internet use. Many of our students are using social media and experiencing bullying or are bullying others. Once we are finished with Matrix lessons, we will focus on bullying, but for now, discussion in classes is a good start. Please remind students - especially on Fridays - to use social media responsibly so we avoid the fallout on Mondays!

What's Happening in TAG Sept 12 - 16

2011-09-11T15:16:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the second week of school!

Some important dates for grade 7 teachers:

Monday - WEB Leaders would like to come into your classes and let grade 7s know about the fun week of freaky intramurals that Mr. Semenoff has planned.

Wednesday - WEB Leaders visit grade 7 TAG classes and bring muffins and a drink. This a chance for WEB Leaders to connect back with their grade 7 buddies and see how things are going.

ATTENTION ALL TAG TEACHERS:

Re: Lockers
Students are already swapping lockers. On MONDAY, please visit your students' lockers and ensure the locker number matches the locker he/she was assigned last week.

Also, please collect the combinations for the locks on each locker. These will be collected by admin starting Thursday. A new locker data sheet has been attached here in case you need it:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamZThlZDI2MjQtNTc3ZC00YTg4LWFmMTEtOTZiOTIzMTlkNjIx&hl=en_US

Re: Medical Alerts
On Friday, an email was sent out asking you to help with identifying students who may not have been identified as having a medical concern such as anaphylactic allergies, diabetes, or seizures. Shannon Moore works hard to keep track of these students, so please help her by emailing any information you discover to smoore@sd73.bc.ca

Re: Agenda Books
All students should have agenda books now. This week, continue to stress the importance of carrying and using the agenda book in ALL classes.

I have included a fun activity to do with agenda books that will reenforce its usefulness and help them to navigate through it.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vVXnWq8hnUhfb4W9MBEr2kqDVrvF51MCVNNaT0_rrk8/edit?hl=en_US

Re: LIVE Matrix
This year has been significantly different from last year!
Even so, it's time to bring out the LIVE Matrix and ensure our students understand the expectations at Brock.

The Matrix is in your teacher handbook, the students' agenda books, and in your TAG handbook. I've also attached it here as well as a lesson for teaching "All Settings."

Feel free to teach "All Settings" however you like, but this handy lesson is here to help you get started. ALL students must be taught the matrix so that expectations are clear for everybody.

LIVE Matrix: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamM2QzZjRkNGEtM2JiNS00ODk2LWFhNDUtZmQyZmU0NWY4NWRh&hl=en_US

"All Settings" Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamOWVjNWQ3N2UtM2VjNi00MjRiLTg1ODYtOTgxY2UzZTkwNzMz&hl=en&authkey=CMOHgMIN

Blank Matrix: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1BVggsewHamZTA2Y2QxZDMtZWNlYS00NTcxLTliMTQtN2U0MDNkYjY3NDE0&hl=en&authkey=CJvmlqYJ

Re: YOU!
I hope you all have a GREAT week. Please let me know how things are going in TAG: if I've put too much on the blog, if you're feeling behind, if you need more resources, or if you have something you'd like to share with colleagues.

Congratulations, you found the TAG Blog!

2011-09-05T20:49:00.000-07:00

TAG will be the place for a number of administrative jobs this week. It is an essential part of starting the tone for this year and ensuring that our students are ready for success.

This week in TAG, the focus is on

getting to know your students,
making sure they know how to use their planners/agendas - and actually use them
helping students to set up their One Binder
teaching page set-up guidelines

In your TAG Teacher Handbook, look for the pink pages for ice breaker activities.

In the white pages you'll find an "All About Me" sheet for students to fill out as well as criteria for the One Binder, a sample page set-up, and lessons for using their planner.

Last year, the PBIS committee determined that we need to give students time at the end of each class (or another time during class) to fill in their planners. Consistent, school-wide use of the planners is essential. TAG classes need to spend significant time teaching students to value and use their planners; this includes regular checks for planner use and using planners as a hall pass.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION: The TAG blog will be revised a bit over the next couple of weeks, so look for updates often. If there is something you'd like to me to include on the blog, please email Nikki at nstewart@sd73.bc.ca with your suggestions or helpful links. :)

What is TAG Anyway?

2011-08-26T21:34:00.000-07:00

There's a lot to say about TAG, but to get us started, I've provided a link to a great article. Take a few minutes and cruise through this to get the essence of Teacher Advisory Groups and their role in Middle School Education:

http://www.middleweb.com/johnston.html

Once you've read the article, think about how we have the opportunity to impact our students' lives each morning and throughout the day. TAG goes beyond collecting forms and keeping students entertained for 25 minutes each morning: it is an opportunity to connect with students - and help students to connect with each other - and further create a culture of community and support in our school.