August
IB Learner Profile Trait: Inquirer
Approaches to Learning (ATL): Self-management
Purpose: Understanding School Community
WEEK 1
Thursday: BARKS Day
Here are some suggestions for activities - feel free to use your own as well!
1. Two Truths and a Lie: Each student takes turns sharing two true statements and one false statement about themselves. The rest of the class guesses which statement is the lie.
2. Human Knot: Have students stand in a circle and hold hands with two people across from them. Without letting go of hands, they must work together to untangle the human knot.
3. Alphabet Introduction: Have students stand in a circle and take turns saying their name and something they like that starts with the next letter of the alphabet (e.g., "Hi, I'm Alex, and I like apples").
4. Memory Chain: The first student says a word (e.g., "sun"), and the next student has to say the previous word and add another word (e.g., "sun" - "sand"). Keep the chain going, and see how far the class can go without making a mistake.
5. Common Ground: Students form pairs or small groups and have a set time to find as many things in common as possible. They then share their discoveries with the class.
6. Group Storytelling: Begin a story with a sentence and have each student add a sentence to continue the story. The result is a collaborative and often hilarious narrative.
7. Would You Rather?: Present funny and thought-provoking "Would you rather?" questions and have students share their preferences and explain their choices.
8. Find Someone Who: Give students a list of statements (e.g., "Find someone who has a pet" or "Find someone who traveled during the summer"). They must move around and find classmates who match each statement.
9. Name Acrostic: Have each student write their name vertically on a piece of paper and create an acrostic poem or list of adjectives that describe themselves using the letters of their name.
10. Categories Game: Choose a category (e.g., animals, foods, colors) and go around the circle with each student naming something from that category. The goal is to keep the chain going without repeating or hesitating.
11. Charades: One student acts out a word or phrase without speaking, while the rest of the class tries to guess what it is.
12. Finish the Sentence: The teacher starts a sentence (e.g., "If I could have any superpower...") and each student completes it with their own answer.
*List generated by ChatGPT
Friday: #icanhelp Introduction
This year, 8th Graders will focus on Digital4Good + #icanhelp curriculum during homeroom.
***May use any time additional time today for team building/ice breakers/name games.
Class discussion:
* What do you already know about #icanhelp?
*Why do you believe 8th Grade homeroom will focus on these topics this year?
*Questions about cell phone use on campus?
*Highlights from the first day?
Review our school's cell phone/ear bud policy:
Cell Phone/Earbud Policy
Students are expected to have cell phones and all electronic devices/earbuds off and put away during the class period, unless otherwise directed by the teacher.
- 1st violation: Warning
- 2nd violation: Confiscation of device for class period & parent/guardian contact
- 3rd violation: Device sent to office and student picks up after school
- 4th violation: Device sent to office and parent/guardian must pick up
WEEK 2
Monday: August 14th
Tuesday: August 15th
Required video for today:
Wednesday: Study Hall
1. Respect Quiet Time: Everyone should understand that study hall is a time for focused work. Keep noise levels to a minimum to avoid disturbing others who are studying.
2. Arrive Prepared: Come to study hall with all necessary materials, books, and assignments. Being organized helps maximize your study time.
3. Use Technology Wisely: Use electronic devices only for educational purposes, such as research or assignments. Avoid social media, games, and distractions.
4. Raise Your Hand for Assistance: If you have a question or need help, raise your hand to get the attention of a study hall monitor or teacher.
5. Respect Personal Space: Give fellow students their space to work comfortably. Avoid leaning over or invading others' personal areas.
6. Collaborate Quietly: If group work is allowed, collaborate with others in hushed tones so as not to disrupt those studying independently.
7. Clean Up After Yourself: Keep your study area tidy by disposing of trash and organizing your belongings before leaving.
8. Stay in Your Seat: Remain seated unless you need to get up for a specific reason, such as using the restroom or asking for help.
9. No Food or Drink: To maintain a clean and distraction-free environment, avoid bringing food or drinks into the study hall.
10. Respect Others' Time: Be on time to study hall and avoid packing up early. This ensures that everyone has the full allocated time for studying.
11. Focus on Productivity: Use study hall for its intended purpose – studying, completing assignments, and working on projects. Minimize unrelated activities.
12. Respect Diversity: Be considerate of others' backgrounds, preferences, and learning styles. Create an inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable.
13. Follow School Rules: Adhere to the school's code of conduct and policies during study hall, just as you would in any other class.
14. Seek Help Responsibly: If you need assistance, approach the study hall monitor or teacher in a respectful manner and wait patiently if they're helping someone else.
15. Encourage a Positive Atmosphere: Help create an atmosphere of mutual support and encouragement. Offer help if you see someone struggling with their work.
16. Use Study Resources Wisely: Make use of available resources such as reference materials, study guides, and online tools to enhance your learning.
17. Respect Privacy: Avoid looking at others' work or devices without permission. Respect each student's right to privacy.
*Study Hall norms created with assistance from ChatGPT
Thursday: No Homeroom
Friday: August 18th
WEEK 3
Monday: August 21st
Tuesday: August 22nd
Wednesday: Study Hall
Thursday: No Homeroom
Friday: August 25th - NO Homeroom due to BTSN - use another day if you would like!
Youtube video required for today:
WEEK 4
Monday: August 28th
Please use this time this week in homeroom to review the Academic Honesty Policy. Homerooms may choose to complete skits as well at all grade levels, or continue with grade level curriculum. Scroll down for #icanhelp lessons.
REQUIRED FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS - WATCH THE VIDEO AND REVIEW CONTRACT. Must sign and return contract by Friday.
Please keep all signed contracts in your possession.
Monday: Video
source: Academic Honesty, IBO Competition Winner (Film/Animation)
Academic Honesty Watch the video, pass out the Academic Honesty Contract and discuss. Have students get it signed and brought back by Friday. Give ‘bulldog bucks’ or other rewards if desired.
Tuesday: Activity
Split students up into groups of 3-4 students. Give each group an academic honesty topic from the list below to then create a 30 second scenario.
Some topics may be duplicated. Keep skits school appropriate with the purpose of teaching and identifying the unique differences in academic dishonesty.
Plagiarism
Collaboration
Collusion
Duplication of Work
Intellectual Property
Malpractice
Definitions
|
Paraphrasing |
Put text in your own words |
|
Plagiarism |
The representation of the ideas or work of another person as your own ● Copying what someone else has written without using quotation marks and appropriate citation is plagiarism ● Using someone else’s ideas and putting them in your own words (paraphrasing) without using appropriate citation is plagiarism ● Just as with printed materials, all internet sources must be cited as well
|
|
Collaboration |
Working together on a common task ● Copying another student’s work is not collaboration. |
|
Collusion |
Allowing someone to copy your work or copying someone else’s work and presenting it as your own. This includes giving or receiving assistance during a test or quiz and having or providing knowledge of questions or answers prior to a test or quiz. |
|
Duplication of work |
Submitting the same work to multiple classes |
|
Intellectual Property |
Material that results from the original, creative thought of a person, which includes forms of expression such as music, videos, photos |
|
Malpractice |
Any behavior that gains an unfair advantage for a student or that affects the results of another student. This includes forgery of any kind. |
Wednesday: Working on skits
Thursday: No Homeroom
Friday: Action
Have groups present their skits and have the class guess what type of academic dishonesty is being presented. As a group, discuss ways of working through the different scenarios presented in class.
***Collect the signed Academic Honesty Contract.
OPTIONAL 8th GRADE CURRICULUM:
Monday: August 28th
Tuesday: Study Hall
Wednesday: Study Hall
Thursday: No Homeroom
Friday: September 1st Continue this week's #icanhelp lesson.