STUDY GROUP – 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TEENS/ALEXANDER POND CURRICULUM

1/27/2009 Meeting


Review of
· Habit # 3: Put First Things First – presented by Billie Vaughn
o Habit 3 is a tough one to “live”. It’s made of two parts –
§ Prioritize & Plan
All of our students receive planners but are not instructed in how to use them. Have students take a look at how they utilize their time with a “pre-test”/”post-test” evaluation – modify the activity from page 97 of workbook and have students fill out the amount of time they think they spend in each area and then have them log for a day the actual time they spend. “A Day In the Life of Me”… use data in math class to chart/graph time use. We liked the ‘Big Rock’ concept in terms of prioritizing and figuring out how to break down the big rock things…
The 2nd piece regarding peer pressure/competition/comparison we had a harder time trying to come up with ways to address – we see some competition/comparison as good. We did like the comfort zone/courage zone.

· Habit #4: Think Win-Win – presented by Bonnie Mider
o Habit 4 focuses on relationships and the importance of putting yourself into win-win situations
§ Win-Lose: Totem pole – I’m better than you – I’m at the top…
§ Lose-Win: Doormat – I avoid conflict and will let you walk all over me
§ Lose-Lose: Downward spiral – war/revenge
§ Win-Win: All you can eat buffet
This is a habit that we probably won’t be able to directly address at “the pond”. It could definitely be integrated into work in the planning room depending where the individual student falls (W-L, L-W, L-L)

Next meeting date: Feb 10 & March 12

Action Plan Outline: Purpose of Study Group: Revise 8th grade orientation to high school program using The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey.Role of each member: Each member has been assigned a habit that they will research and present to the group.How we will proceed: At meeting a different habit will be thoroughly presented, discussed and key concepts will be identified to be used in the orientation program.Our Measurable Outcome: A new improved orientation program for our 8th grade students.Evidence that we have achieved our goal: a more user friendly program for our student will be produced.Evaluation of Success: New program draft will be reviewed by the facilitators, updated and piloted next September. Facilitators, students and parents will provide feedback.Work will be Shared with Colleagues: Through the blog, at 8th grade team meeting and presentation to building administrators.Resources that will be used: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens book and workbook, internet resources, Glasser's theory and various activities, Guidance resources.
January 12, 2009 12:21 PM

STUDY GROUP – 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TEENS/ALEXANDER POND CURRICULUM

1/12/2009 meeting


Our Study Group Action Plan was posted on our &HOHET blog

We began to review the reading
· Habit #1: Be Proactive - presented by Deb Demers
o Has definite similarities and connections to Choice Theory
o Activity idea: Have students design their own personal remote control that represents themselves (we can only control ourselves – no one else)
§ Include pause, fast forward, rewind, volume, channel, mute…
o Demonstrate how to use your remote control – integrate into the role play scenario in large group and process – follow up process in small groups
o Circle of control intro activity?

§ Habit #2: Begin with the End in Mind – presented by Robin Novi
o This chapter/habit is about goal setting. Might be a good idea to have the 8th graders set academic goals for the year and help them monitor. Modify the “Great Discovery Activity” to help students create their own mission statements.

§ Talk to George & Diane about offering a training to our 8th grade Alex Pond team regarding the new curriculum – could we offer it as a workshop through the teacher’s center and could teachers be paid to attend? Otherwise, how to we effectively train our group facilitators?