September 26th- September 30th

This week students finished making their vision boards and presented their vision boards to their classmates.  Students visioned three short term goals, three long term goals, travel goals, family goals, and education and self cultivation goals.

Finally, the students used Wednesday and Thursday to collect missing work for other classes. On Friday we will  finish up our goal setting unit by discussing personal values.

This week was also the first mentor leader meeting. I am very impressed by this year's mentor leaders, I believe  Guadalupe, Leonel, Ismerai, and Hannah will be positive leaders helping those who are struggling academically succeed and overcome any obstacle they may face this year!

Sept 19th- Sept 23rd

Another week down and students are connecting with one another in the YESS classroom more and more. This week students discussed Diversity. We discussed how important it is to recognize our differences and how we can learn from those differences. Each student made a puzzle piece and decorated it with their: ethnicity, nationality, cultural upbringing, hobbies and interests, and anything else they wanted to add to it.  As we finished the puzzle pieces students connected them to one another. We will have the diversity puzzle pieces hanging in the classroom all year long so that we can always remember that even though we are different, we can still connect on those differences and learn from one another.  The students enjoyed this because we all shared stories of growing up, foods we ate growing up, and memories we have that are culturally influenced.  To finish the week, students began planning and creating their vision boards. I like to do this at the beginning of the year so that students can remember what their goals are and why it is important to complete all of their school work on time.

Sept 12th - 16th

This week is homecoming week. Students are full of school pride and are staying engaged in the classroom. This week Students discussed "Unwritten Rules of life." This lesson relates to respect and manners. As we discussed respect, we also discussed cultural differences. This tied in to our Tuesday lesson which was, "Culture 101".  We discussed how we culturally identify, why and how culture is established everywhere, even in fast food restaurants, and how can we establish our own YESS classroom culture. On Wednesday and Thursday students used the time to talk to teachers, work on missing work, and help others in the class with their school work. When students are finished they are allowed to play games and get to know one another. Overall, this was a fun and productive week.

Sept 6th- Sept 9th

This week the YESS students created a goal with 5 steps that it  will take to achieve that goal this year.  This was our hand contract this school year. Many students had goals that ranged from, attending class on time, to graduating this school year. Some of the steps it will take to achieve these goals included: asking for help, talking to teachers, asking mentors for help, and make time for homework.  We have posted thee goals in the classroom so that we can see them every day.

This week our YESS college navigator came in to talk to students about her role in helping seniors find successful paths after high school. She talked to the students about college and other post-secondary options.


Next week students will be selecting their mentees and mentors.

August 29th- Sept 2nd

This week was our second week of school. The YESS program here at North is still in the phase of adjusting schedules. Students are getting to know one another, as well as build a relationship with me since their relationship with Sarah was so strong. 

As we begin the school year it is important for us to establish classroom guidelines and expectations. This year I used the "Build a community" activity to discuss behaviors and community rules they wished they had in their community. Students were grouped with one another and expected to build an ideal community. The students created rules in the community that people should follow. Some of the rules included:

• Respect one another
• Need to future plan and goal set (future planning)
• Take care of one another 
• No Hate 
• No Racism
• No Violence

We talked about the importance of these rules in our community and why these rules should be implemented in our classroom community. So we elaborated on these rules and how they tie in with class. For example, respecting one another also means no cell phones, we need to be respectful of whom ever is talking, this means giving the person talking our full attention. No hate- also means we agree to disagree. 

The students enjoyed this activity in bringing class rules and expectation to the classroom. Students also enjoyed expressing their opinions on what is important  to them in having a better environment. 

Overall, this was a fun week!