7th+Skills+II

Derek Henson dhenson@chinquapin.org 412-874-8074  // You may email me at any time. I will take class-related calls/texts until 8:00pm. //  I was born in Florida and have lived in Texas, California, and Pennsylvania. My favorite sports are baseball and hockey. My favorite TV show is The Walking Dead. If I could only listen to the music of one artist for the rest of my life, I would choose Jason Mraz. If I could travel anywhere in the world I would go to New Zealand. My parents divorced when I was two. My mom lives in Pittsburgh and my dad lives in Dallas. I have lived in so many places I’m not sure where my “home” is. I’m right handed and my favorite color is green. The coolest place I’ve ever been and the place I would like to live is San Diego. I don’t like wearing shoes. My favorite author is Kurt Vonnegut and my favorite movies are Interstate 60 and Big Fish. I think crying and sadness are essential for a healthy life. If I could be an animal, I would be a cat—or a manatee. I am trying to develop a consistent practice of yoga and mindfulness. I am grateful for everything that has happened in my life, even the crappy stuff. I’m still trying to figure out who I am and what I believe. I don’t think we are ever finished learning. I firmly believe that the best and most important learning happens outside of school. I don’t know what else to say.
 * // 7th Grade Skills, 2015-2016 //**
 * About Me: **

This course will focus on two main goals: 1. Learn how to increase our happiness and well-being 2. Learn how to interact respectfully and productively with others
 * The Class and Goals: **

In addition to these goals, we will also plan and carry out two service projects. The first will be a service day trip. The second will aim to improve Chinquapin in some way, or help the people in Chinquapin’s community.


 * Expectations: **
 * 1) I expect you to try hard, even when you don’t want to.
 * 2) I expect you to treat everyone and everything with love and respect.
 * 3) I expect you to make mistakes. Mistakes are how you learn.

We will create and decide these as a class. This is our community so it is our responsibility to work together to make sure everyone feels, safe, welcome, and happy. We will pause at certain points in the year to reflect on the list we have created. We all have the right to add, eliminate, or revise rules throughout the year, but the class must agree to it.
 * Positive Actions: **

You will need a binder or folder to keep track of all class work and assignments. I will provide you with a notebook to use throughout the year.
 * Required Materials: **


 * Assignments and Grading: **

__ Quarter Grades __  Homework………………………………………………….20%   Projects/Papers/Presentations……………………40%   Class Participation and Class Work………………40% __ Semester Grades __  Quarter 1……………………40%   Quarter 2……………………40%   Service Project……………20% There is no penalty for late work. If you do not turn an assignment in on time, you will complete a Late Assignment Sheet and work with Derek to determine a new due date. You must complete all assignments to receive a grade for the quarter.

We will practice mindfulness throughout the year. There are two main goals for our mindfulness practice: 1) to develop our capacity to focus and concentrate when we need to, and 2) to learn ways to relieve and prevent stress. Mindfulness has helped me greatly in my own life and I am excited to share this practice with you.
 * Mindfulness: **

This is not MY class. This is OUR class. I am not here to feed you information and test you on it. I am here to facilitate and guide your learning. Your education is YOUR responsibility and success in this class depends on how well you construct your own understanding, not how well you memorizing mine.
 * Miscellaneous: **

Learning does not happen in isolation; you will work together to learn with and from each other.

Keep in mind that __YOU have the POWER to determine your own attitude__. What you look for is what you see. If you choose to approach this class (and your life) with a positive, enthusiastic attitude you will have positive experiences. If you choose to employ a negative state of mind you will be robbing yourself and those around you of life. CHOOSE to enjoy everything.

If you are absent, it is your responsibility to see me about what you missed and speak to a classmate to catch up. Let me know about absences in advance if possible.

You already know whether or not cheating is acceptable. You need to decide for yourself if a grade is worth sacrificing your integrity and credibility.

Please feel free to speak to me about any problems or difficulties you might have during the year. I will work with you as much as I can to help. // Your preparation for the real world is not in the answers you’ve learned, but in the questions you’ve learned how to ask yourself. //  // --Rilke //

// If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. //  // --The Dalai Lama // __**Quarter 1**__ **Academic Skills** Organization of school materials Academic Technology Review Study Habits and Tips Typing **Character** Team/Relationship building Empathy Habit 1 -- Switching on Empathic Minds Fixed/Growth Mindsets **Health and Wellness** Daily Mindfulness practice Stress prevention and relief Intro to major emotions **College and Career Readiness** See All **21st Century Skills** See Academic Skills Internet Research __**Quarter 2**__ **Academic Skills** Study habits for finals Presentations Typing continued **Character** Teamwork and positive relationships Empathy Habit 2 -- Making the Imaginative Leap Gratitude Challenge **Health and Wellness** Handling difficult emotions effectively (Anger) Daily mindfulness practice **College and Career Readiness** See All **21st Century Skills** See Academic Skills Creation of website (Gratitude Challenge) __**Quarter 3**__ **Academic Skills** Typing continued Organization continued SMART Goals Presentations **Character** Teamwork and positive relationships Plan Service Projects Bullying vs Teasing Gratitude Letter

**Health and Wellness** Exercise and Nutrition Daily mindfulness practice

**College and Career Readiness** See All College and Career Research

**21st Century Skills** See Academic Skills

__**Quarter 4**__ **Academic Skills** Study habits for finals Typing continued SMART Goals

**Character** Teamwork and positive relationships Plan and carry out service project Gratitude Letter and visit

**Health and Wellness** Sexual Health Benefits and disadvantages of emotions Handling difficult emotions

**College and Career Readiness** See All

**21st Century Skills** See Academic Skills