Temptation

This week we are beginning a look at Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey. The story is about the main character, Odysseus’s, journey back to his homeland of Ithaca, Greece. Along the way Odysseus encounters many situations that test his skills, values, and decision making abilities.

One such encounter was with the singing Sirens, sea goddesses whose voices were so beautiful that sailors would be drawn to them and then their boats would crash against the rocks and sink. Leading to the drowning death of everyone aboard.

Knowing that he wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation of the Sirens, Odysseus plugged his ears with melted wax so he wouldn’t be able to hear the Sirens’ singing voices.

Today’s Talker: We all have encountered situations where we have had to fight the temptation to do something that we shouldn’t or didn’t want to do.

If you fell victim to the temptation, why did this happen?

Or, if you resisted it, what strategies did you use to do so?

Big plans ahead!

Panther Students~

On Monday, we will have our team meeting and go over what's ahead for the week and review some of the key points of the survey. One of the big suggestions was more field trips and "fun" stuff.

Well, they are coming! We have 2 field trips booked before Christmas break and plans for two breakfasts in the morning (more details to come soon). And, as you know, we instituted activity period every other Thursday morning for a dodgeball competition.

Comments?? Ideas for other things??

Blog Guidelines

A couple reminders/clarifying points regarding the class blog:

* I do want to hear your honest opinion on the topics presented, but keep any critical comments constructive. The blog is not a place for whining and complaining. It's main purpose is to start conversations in order to make the class, team, or school better or more interesting.

* Refer to the "Blogging with Mr. Howman" handout, you do have an opportunity to earn extra credit. However, your comments must show that you put some thought into the topic presented, or that you are responding to someone else's comment or question. Thoughtful/insightful comments do not necessarily have to be long, they could be one liners that are a back and forth with other students. There are certain comments that will be accepted when they are comical or silly (rather than insightful) but do not plan on counting those on the blog record form.

Any comments that do not meet the two points above will be rejected and not be posted to the site.

With that said...keep the comments coming!!!!

Room to Improve

The team teachers have looked at the results of the survey you took during advisory this week and there were some very thoughtful responses. The overall team “grade” was a 2.8, not bad, but certainly could be better. Each of you took the survey but did not get a chance to share your responses with one another because it was done anonymously. However, the responses to some of the questions particularly about what makes an effective team and what roles to students and teachers play in making a team effective were insightful.

I want you respond here~ like always, you may do so anonymously but at least this time everybody gets to hear what you have to say without knowing it was you!

What makes an effective team?
What role do students have?
What role do teachers have?

5 days down 177 to go

How have the first few days gone for everyone?

There have been quite a few changes this year for a looping team~ new classrooms, lockers, principal, assistant principals, science teacher, school name…!

Today’s talker: What is your opinion of the first few days of school??

Treat others the way you would want to be treated

Another year has begun and I want to commend Panther students for a smooth opening two days. Yes, there are a couple issues that still need to be worked out. Molly and Kristen, don’t worry we’ll get you the right combination for your lockers! And, for all the new students thank you for bearing with us as we figured out your schedules.

Middle school can be hard enough on kids your age, never mind either switching schools or teams. We have nine students that are new to our team and I’m sure that on some level they were a little anxious to join a group that had been together the previous year. So, I want to issue a challenge to the students who were on the team last year- make the new students feel welcome. Let me give you some suggestions how you can make them feel welcome:

- If a new student looks a little lost, they probably are. Ask them if they know where they are going, and if they don’t- help them find where they are going

- Ask a new student to sit with you at lunch- once you get a chance to talk with him/her you might just make a new friend

- Exchange phone numbers or e-mail addresses to help each other with homework reminders, or if one of you is absent you can figure out what you missed

Those are just a few ways that you could help make a new student’s transition easier, but not the only ways.

I would like you to post comments about your thoughts, ideas, or experiences about any of the following:

- What are some other ways to make the new students feel welcome?

- Have you ever been in a situation where you were the “new” person? How did it make you feel? How did the people around you treat you?

- If you are a new student, how were your first couple days?

Remember, you may post comments anonymously if you want to share something but not have you name associated with it. And, you may pose questions in the comment section and respond to other people’s questions.