John Adams Middle School
Monday Morning Quarterback, Volume 16
Monday, January 27, 2020
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HAPPY PARAPROFESSIONAL APPRECIATION WEEK!!!!
Coache's Corner
Many teachers feel like the start of a new quarter is a good time to readdress classroom expectations. Consider the steps below, from this article, to help deal with excessive talking if this is an expectation you would like to readdress.
Character Education for Children with Low Self-Esteem
Some students who do not have successful experiences, also have a difficult time coping when frustrated. Fritz Redl and Ralph Wineman, authors of Children Who Hate, identified four techniques for helping students gain satisfaction in alternate activities:
1. Application and reflection of positive activities or experiences
2. Use of constant visuals to promote engagement in previously enjoyable activities
3. Promotional buildup in between activities through frequent conversation and reflection
4. Reliance on structural support by creating routines
Design structure that helps build a positive experience consists of a consistent weekly program that includes the use of "buddy up" activities, opening and closing circles, structured reflection, and discussions of positive experiences-both in anticipation of future activities and in reflecting upon past experiences.
The scary truth about what’s hurting our kids (The Modern Family, by Becky Mansfield)
https://www.yourmodernfamily.com/scary]th-whats-hurting-kids/
· 1 in 5 children has mental health problems
· 43% increase in ADHD
· 37% increase in teen depression
· 200% increase in suicide rate in kids 10-14 years old
What can we do about it?
· Get back to what we did before phones
· Spend breakfast, lunch, dinner time talking
· Take time to talk to students and get to know all EH students
· Have students help out: Increased responsibilities increase their self-worth
· Be sure they get enough sleep. Communicate concerns
· Eat healthy and provide opportunities for fitness
· Allow students time to “go play”!
· Don’t rescue your students. Teach them coping skills
· Talk to you students and why it is not school appropriate
· Talk with respect, tell them you are respectful, and you want that respect given back. Model respectful conversations.
Jaguar Spawtlight: Tara Simonis
I was born and grew up in Algonquin, Illinois where I lived up through 6th grade. I then moved to Greendale, Wisconsin where I finished middle school and high school. I attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison where I was a member of the marching band (clarinet) and received my degree in Elementary Education - Middle Childhood to Early Adolescence with a minor in math.
Once I graduated, I stuck around the Madison area. I spent three years long term subbing 5th-8th grade and taught just about every subject that was not an elective. My fourth year of teaching I was full time at Jack Young Middle School in Baraboo, WI where I taught 6th grade math. My fiance graduated with his PhD and got a job at Mayo, which brought us to Rochester. This will be my second year teaching 7th grade math at John Adams.
My family consists of my mom, my twin sister Lauren, my dad, my step-mom, my step-brothers Cody and Travis, and my fiance Jim. My step-brother Cody unexpectedly passed away during the summer of 2018 which has been difficult and we do what we can to honor his life.
Outside of teaching, I like to watch sports, especially the Cubs, Badgers, and Packers. I also like to go to concerts, read, and sit on my couch binge watching tv shows. My fiance is getting me into camping and backpacking, so if you have any suggestions, let me know!