In TAG November 17-21

Upcoming Events
Thurs 20 November Early dismissal for PT Interviews
Fri 21 November Pyjama Day sponsored by Hafeli
Thurs 27 November Pep Rally in G block starting at 12:40
Fri 5 December Pro-D Day
Fri 21 November Pyjama Day sponsored by Hafeli

Lions Quest begins this week...

This week we begin with our delivery of Lions Quest lessons.  

Here is a copy of the tentative delivery schedule:

2014-2015 Lions Quest Delivery Schedule

The schedule is a work in progress; however, it is pretty solid until the middle of January. I recommend printing off at least the first page and putting it with your TAG materials.

So...this week please ensure that each of your students has a "Changes and Challenges" workbook.  If you are short on workbooks, there are boxes of new books in Middle Earth.  They are stacked at the beginning of the aisle where TAG materials are stored.  Please help yourself to the books you need.  

Grade 7 Classes: Begin with Unit 1: Entering the Teen Years Lesson 3.  

Grade 8/9 Classes: Begin with Unit 4: Improving Peer Relationships Lesson 4. 

Please note that the next two weeks of grade 8/9 Lions Quest will use lessons that are supplementary to the books we have received.  I am providing the links here so anyone wanting to run them off ahead of time has access:

Lesson 4a (Nov 24-28)

Lesson 4b (Dec 1-5)

In TAG November 12-14

Upcoming Events
Tuesday 12-14 November Bake Sale to Support Courtyard Upkeep
Friday 14 November Tie Dye Day sponsored by Wasylik's TAG
A Pep Rally and a Moustache Day...Dates to be announced ASAP...

It's A Short Week...

It's a really short week, and it's just about time to start into our Lion's Quest materials again, so we are going to take a little break from Health and Career and do a survey.  Since our leadership students are going to scramble to pull together a pep rally in short order, we are looking for some ideas/feedback/input from your students.  Here is a little brainstorm activity that asks for their suggestions for our upcoming pep rally.  It's great when we have more students involved in planning and taking part, so this is a great opportunity for all students to have a voice.  Of course, we won't be able to do it all, but we will keep all suggestions in mind as we plan future events.  

Here's the survey:  Pep Rally Suggestions

I also found this website with pep rally ideas that may be helpful: Andy's Impact Presentations

The sooner you can provide your TAG's feedback, the better since we will need to start planning this week.

In TAG Nov 3-7

Upcoming Events

Monday 3 November Evacuation Drill and Whole School Photo
Friday 6 November Remembrance Day Assembly.

Monday 10 November Inservice Day.

Tuesday 11 November Remembrance Day - no school.

Tuesday 12-14 November Bake Sale to support courtyard upkeep.

Friday 14 November Tie Dye Day sponsored by Wasylik's TAG 

Health Education
This week we continue with our focus on health.  In counselling we often hear from kids that they struggle with getting a good sleep.  We know that healthy eating, adequate sleep, and regular exercise all contribute to good mental health.  So this week we are learning about sleep and physical activity:

Teen Sleep Quiz This link tests students' knowledge about sleep.  It includes answers as well.

How Much Sleep Do I Need? This link is a handout with good information about teens' sleep needs.  Even if you just read it ahead of time and share the information with students, that would be great.  Or, post it on an overhead for all to read.

Activity Tips for Teens - Public Health Website This website suggests activities for teens and the benefits of being physically active.  Consider ending this with brainstorming a list of the activities that your students do on a regular basis.  

In TAG October 27-31

Upcoming Events

October 27th-31th Halloween dance tickets on sale at lunch.

October 28th-30th Brock's Own Haunted House is open at lunch.

Friday 31 October is the Halloween Dance at lunch.

Friday 6 November Remembrance Day Assembly.

Monday 10 November Inservice Day.

Tuesday 11 November Remembrance Day - no school.

Tuesday 12-14 November Bake Sale to support courtyard upkeep.

Friday 14 November Tie Dye Day sponsored by Wasylik's TAG 

Bake Sale a Huge Success
Did you know that last week's bake sale raised over $200 for breast cancer research?  Thanks for your support, Brock!

Halloween Haunted House
The Haunted House opens this Tuesday-Thursday at lunch.  Entrance is through the room 125 doors closest to the girls' washroom in the back hallway.  Here's what students need to know:
*admission is 50 cents
*please wait respectfully in the lineup 
*please don't touch/grab/punch decorations or crew members
*keep moving (don't stop) in the haunted house

Pumpkin Carving
TAG teachers received instructions in their mailboxes.  Please send a runner to pick up your pumpkin on Monday morning from room 203.

Halloween Dance

The Halloween Dance is on Friday this week.  Here's what everyone needs to know:

*tickets are on sale for $2 everyday at lunch in the main hall

*students with pre-purchased tickets can go to the dance at 11:30 Fri

*tickets are $4 after 11:45 on Friday

*students may come and go from the dance once they've been stamped

*no food, drinks, or glow sticks in gym

*costumes are optional but encouraged

*lunch is extended for all students until the end of IRA

*teaching staff must supervise hallways and grounds starting at 12:30

Halloween Costumes
Students and staff are encouraged to wear costumes on Friday.  We will be counting participation rates for this event.  Please review the dress code rules with students and make sure they know these rules are enforced on Halloween.  Also, no masks, please.

Health Lesson
This week we have a lesson on personal hygiene.  I've included a quiz and answers that can be used with students.  How you use them is up to you.
Personal Hygiene quiz and information

Looking for Discussion Topics?
If you are interested in generating some meaningful discussions in your TAG class, I've found this potential site.  It's published by the New York Times and created by the Learning Network. It is an American site; however, I think there are a number of topics that may have relevance in your classroom or may prompt you to come up with new questions.  
Clicking on each question takes you directly to an article written about the issue.
Check it out...
182 Questions to Write or Talk About

What's Happening in TAG October 20-24

Upcoming Events

Thursday 23 October Grade 7s meet with leadership students in TAG
Thursday 24 October Pink Day and bake sale for Breast Cancer Awareness 

Friday 24 October Pro-D Day

October 28th-30th Brock's Own Haunted House is open at lunch.

Friday 31 October is the Halloween Dance at lunch.

Friday 6 November Remembrance Day Assembly.

Monday 10 November Inservice Day.

Tuesday 11 November Remembrance Day - no school.

Tuesday 12-14 November Bake Sale to support courtyard upkeep.

Friday 14 November Tie Dye Day sponsored by Wasylik's TAG 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
On Thursday 23rd, Carole's class is planning a Breast Cancer Awareness day on(because October is Breast Cancer Awareness month).  To that end, her class has planned a Pink Day on Thursday 23rd and a bake sale at recess and lunch the same day.

Would your TAG like to Sponsor a Theme Day?

It's not too late to sponsor a theme day.  There are plenty of Fridays throughout the year that you can claim.  

Health and Career Lessons

If you haven't finished reviewing the LIVE Matrix, please finish this up this week.  
 We will embark on a short personal hygiene unit as we wait for the Lions Quest books to arrive from the publisher.  This week the focus is on handwashing.  Here is a link to some useful information that can be used for handouts or overheads:
You could start with this interesting news article by the CBC that reports on the poor handwashing habits of Canadians:
 CBS News Report
 Then, move on to...
Why Should I Wash My Hands?  is all about the importance of hand washing in the prevention of the spread of infection.
When to wash and how to wash outlines when we should wash and how to wash
Handwashing Poster is a visual guide to hand washing.
Students can learn about how to wash their hands and then either make a hand washing poster or colour copies of the poster included here.  

Upcoming Events

Friday 17 October Jersey Day sponsored by Coleman.

Friday 24 October Pro-D Day

October 28th-30th Brock's Own Haunted House is open at lunch.

Friday 31 October is the Halloween Dance at lunch.

Friday 6 November Remembrance Day Assembly.

Monday 10 November Inservice Day.

Tuesday 11 November Remembrance Day - no school.

Friday 14 November Tie Dye Day sponsored by Wasylik's TAG 

Would your TAG like to Sponsor a Theme Day?

It's not too late to sponsor a theme day.  There are plenty of Fridays throughout the year that you can claim.  

LIVE Matrix Lessons

This week we had an assembly.  Behaviour in the assembly wasn't perfect.  Please take time to ask your students what worked and what didn't work at the assembly while reviewing the expectations.

This week we are focused on Classroom/Library Lessons.  Next week we will finish up the Matrix Lessons with Hallways and Off Campus.
Classroom and Library Lesson
Blank Matrix for Classroom Lesson
Classroom Cut Outs for Lesson
Classroom Scenarios for Lesson

In TAG October 6 - 10

Upcoming Events

Monday 6 October Photo day.

Thursday 9 October Reach Out Psychosis at 2:00 grades 8/9.

Friday 10 October is Twin Day sponsored by Stromgren's TAG.

Monday 13 October no school.

October 28th-30th Brock's Own Haunted House is open at lunch.

Friday 31 October is the Halloween Dance at lunch.

Friday 6 November Remembrance Assembly.

Monday 10 November Inservice Day.

Would your TAG like to Sponsor a Theme Day?

A big thank you to Ms. Stromgren's TAG class who have started the ball rolling this year and already asked to sponsor a school-wide theme day on October 10th.  If your TAG class would like to sponsor a theme day, this is what you need to know:

1. Pick a FRIDAY.  Check the Zimbra calendar to make sure it's  

    available.

2. Choose a theme.  Make sure it's accessible (easy for many to 

    participate and not too risky for our more timid students).

3. Notify Nikki.  I'll make sure it's on the Zimbra calendar and 

    the TAG blog.

4. Advertise your events.  Make posters, write announcements, 

    promote in TAG classes, etc.

5. Enjoy the school spirit!  

LIVE Matrix Lessons
This week we have an assembly for the grade 8 and 9 students, so it seems appropriate to cover our LIVE Matrix for assemblies:
Assemblies Lesson
Assemblies Lesson Handout
If you have time, and if you haven't already reviewed all of the LIVE Matrix rules for hallway and cafeteria, please complete these this week.