The first thing that came to mind was to create a Google Doc. My students use Google Docs to write their Japanese Pen Pals (JPP) each week. They are all familiar with Google Docs, which makes it simple and easy. They already have 20 minutes a week with their Chromebooks, so this is an ideal and realistic project.
I'm currently focusing on Steven Covey's 7 Habits. Each month, starting last, we are focusing on one habit. The students discus what they think the habit means and how it can make them more efficient and productive members of society. I do this with 7th-12th grade Japanese language students.
1. Audience- My students, divided by class
2. Format- Google Doc
- Letter to students
- Invitation for them to add to the Doc
3. Elements of focus- Ethics via Steven Covey's 7 Habit's
- Next year my school district is going from grades 7-9 junior high & 10-12 high school to 6-8
junior high & 9-12 high school. Therefore ALL of my students are in for a big change next
year. My 7th graders are going from the bottom of the barrel to the top with not 1, but TWO
grades of underclassman to look up to them. Our staff wants them to be fully committed to the
school with full pride and personal drive, resulting in a great set of role models for the next under
classman. The 9th graders are going to be 10th graders with their current 8th graders in a new
school, new school system, new block schedule, etc. It's going to be a big change for a lot of
students. The teachers are going to have a lot of change, themselves. Therefore, by setting my
students up with as many of the 7 Habits as possible, the more likely they will be able to survive
and thrive without too many upsets.
4. Plan- Present each habit each month.
- First, have students do Pair-Share on what the latest habit might mean.
- Use the habit to influence their weekly goal in their Japanese planner
- Discuss and focus on the habit in class as it comes up, reflect on past habit(s), too.
- By the last day of the month, all students will post how the monthly habit positively
influenced their life over the month.
5. Resource- LeaderinMe website: http://www.theleaderinme.org/
Book: Coovey, Sean. The 7 habits of highly effective teens: the ultimate success guidebook for teens. Salt Lake City, UT: Franklin Covey Co., 2001. Print.
6. Document- Google Doc for class to fill out
I like the fact that I can have my students all contribute to the same document as they learn from each others experiences. I think this will further their bonds to each other as they work on self-improvement together. Originally, I was going to have this be a solo activity, but we already use Chromebooks 1/week for our JPPs. I can simply slip this in at the cost of 2-5 extra minutes/month. The benefits my students will gain from this tech-communication activity will be well worth those minutes.
What are you trying in your classroom to build communication and teach healthy life habits?
NIce idea for encouraging student communication in a way that helps them and gives you evidence.
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