AFFECTIVE SKILLS 1ST HOUR

Class Introduction:

Affective Skills is the social/emotional learning class for the Anchorage School District and is taught through two curriculums. The first is �Why Try� where students learn the value of why trying in life is important and how to meet and overcome obstacles along the way.

The second curriculum is new to ASD this year, but comes with 2 decades of research behind, called Skill Streaming, teaches students specific skills to use in a variety of day-to-day concerns. For example, we will be covering how to follow instructions, dealing with group pressure, avoiding trouble, and negotiating a request.

The process for learning these skills looks a little like this: First students will watch someone else use the skill. Then each student will try out the skill in a role-playing situation and receive feedback about how well he or she worked through the skill in the role play. For HOMEWORK each student will be asked to practice the skill in a real life situation. Every two weeks or so, whenever a new skill has been introduced, I will be e-mailing or sending a note to you that describes the skills and the steps. There will also be a homework assignment connected to each skill that each student can work on with any trusted adult in or out of school.

Also starting with week 5, I will be printing out and sending a Zangle report home for students to have parents and teachers sign. This is s 25 point weekly assignment.

GRADES
I also teach a combination of team building activities, journaling, discussions, partner work, role playing, games, movies, art projects etc. Grading is largely based on participation and self-evaluation. Other grades come from the weekly Zangle report, and a daily bell ringer assignment that includes organizing and writing a quote of the day and participating in a class discussion about the quote.

SUPPLIES
Each student will need a 3 ring binder with loose leaf paper that can stay in my class.
I am always looking for the following donations:
Pencils
Pipe cleaners
Tissues
Magazines
Newspaper!!!
Hand sanitizer
Antibacterial wipes
Boxes of granola bars (teenagers are always starving!!!)

ABSENCES/TARDIES
Because so much of this class is done in class, and is largely group based learning, it is important to be here. I do have make-up work that I can send home for extended absences, but it isn�t nearly as fun as being in class! I am very flexible. Should there be any concerns about attendance due to outside school appointments or adjustments, just let me know and I am happy to make necessary arrangements on a case by case basis.

I mark all tardies. Tardy means your feet and body have to be in my class when the bell rings. If you are not in my class by then, you need a pass to enter. I make 0 exceptions to this rule. At 3 or 4 Tardies and the student and I will call home to tell you about his/her lates. 5 tardies and I will write an office referral and assign either lunch duty or Thursday School.

MOVIES
I do show several movies throughout the year that illustrate good examples of ways people have overcome obstacles, persevered, worked as a team etc. In the past I have shown, Forever Strong, Sandlot, Remember the Titans, Homeless to Harvard, Bully, and Coach Carter. This year I am looking at swapping things around and using Unbroken and/or MacFarland USA. Anchorage School District requires that I have a permission slip for any movie that is PG-13. I will not show anything that is rated R.
Please sign the attached permission slip. If you do not want your student seeing anything PG-13 I will provide an alternate assignment in the library.