The Happiness Equation - English 8

The Happiness Equation

Assignment is on my blog:

1. Think about small things that are awesome…  like on this list…

Crossing off the last item on your list

Putting on warm pants from the dryer

Finding money you didn’t know you lost

When you’re really tired and about to fall asleep and someone throws a blanket on you

When you get the milk: cereal ratio just right

The other side of the pillow

Come up with your own list of five (5) awesome things.  (Or More!)

2. Watch this video:

https://www.ted.com/talks/neil_pasricha_the_3_a_s_of_awesome

3. The 20 X 20 Challenge

Each day you must do one or two of these three things…  and today, to get a head start, you will do all three!

1. A brisk 20-minute walk
2. Write down five (5) things that you are grateful for
3. Do something kind or helpful

So… write down five things for which you are grateful.

Now, all together, go for a 20 minute brisk walk.

Now, write down your homework -- an act of kindness that you will do for someone.  If you end up doing something else, spur-of-the-moment, that’s okay!   But be prepared to write about it next week!

Leadership Ski Day Info

Date:  Friday 8th February

Lift Pass: $22
Lesson: $20  (Leadership could pay, perhaps?)
Rentals: $20 (Aidan has some extra equipment, so do I)

Tubing: $10 for 2 hours

Bus: $5

You could also bring snowshoes (Mrs. Stewart and I have about 5 pair, between us and you can rent them for $10 at Runner's Sole - I think) and try that out.

We really want everyone to come up, so if cost is an obstacle, let us know and we'll see what we can do.  Or, if you really don't want to ski or board, consider tubing and showshoeing.  And bring some cards and board games (and yes, you could bring Yahtzee, Trey).

I'll run it past Mr. Dinsdale tomorrow and get permission forms organized.

What you know and feel strongly about...

Check In Question:

What is the nicest thing you did for someone else over the holidays?  Was it someone you knew or a stranger?

Assignment: 
(Let the teacher guide you through this assignment.  Use the computer lab, and type your responses in an Open Office doc, please.)

Today's Assignment (Think/Pair/Share):

1. Take 10-15 minutes to think of situations/issues etc. that make you

a) very angry
b) very emotional
c) very grateful
d) very proud
e) very happy

Write them down.

With a partner, take turns telling your partner about each of the items on your list and listening to the items on her or his list. Write down her or his items.

2. Take 5-10 minutes to think of what you know about. What are you an expert on? Is it a set of facts? (Different breeds of horses and their purposes) Or an activity that you know how to do (eg. Snowboarding). Or a combination? Or somtehing else altogether? Write it down. Share with your partner. Write down her or his area of expertise, too.

3. Take 5-10 minutes to think of a favourite story that you like to tell (the time that....). Write down its key points. Answer these questions (in writing) about it:

a) What lesson (if any) can be learned from it?

b) What are the five Ws of the story?

c) Is the story respectful and appropriate for school?

d) Why do you like to tell this story?  What do you get from telling it?  What does your listener get?

Share your story with a partner. Answer the questions about your partner's story, too.

Save your responses to the Leadership folder I am sure you have made in your H drive, put your name at the top, and print a copy to hand in to me. 

 

WEB Leadership 9: Creating Your Google Account

Hi Leadership students!  Some of you have already opened Google accounts, and I would encourage the rest of you to do so when you have a moment.

Here is the link to create a Google account: https://accounts.google.com/SignUp?continue=https%3A%2F%2Faccounts.google.com%2FManageAccount

In the interests of privacy, we just listed your birthdates as the first of the month in which you were born (for those students with whom I already created Google accounts).  Please create an identity with your real name in it, so that I can identify you, but also so that prospective employers who find your blog won't think you're a goof.

Once you have created your Google account, you can create your own blog.  You don't need to do so yet, as it is something that we will work on later this year, but if you're ready to start now, do go ahead.

And once you have created your blog, please post the link to it below so that the rest of us can follow it.

Happy blogging!

Reflecting on Challenges  

Reflect on our recent trip to Sky Trek by answering the following questions thoughtfully and comprehensively. Choose one to expand upon fully.

1. What level did you reach and how were you able to reach this level? What might have hindered you from going further? Would you go further if you went again?

2.a) What was the greatest challenge for you and what made it challenging? How were you able to successfully overcome this challenge?

  b) If you were not able to overcome the challenge, how do you feel about what you did accomplish? Could you do more on a future occasion?

3. Were you encouraged by others as you went through the course? What role did encouragement from others play in your ability to participate in this challenging activity?

4. Did you feel fear? Of what, exactly, were you afraid? Did you use self-talk to deal with your fear? What did you say to yourself? What other strategies did you employ (deep breathing, not looking down, others)? Why do you think this worked (or didn’t)? How were you able to carry on despite your fear?

5. Two of people’s greatest fears are public speaking and heights (you will face both this year!). Which is scarier for you, and why? Would overcoming one give you the skills/strategies to cope with the other? Explain.