1) Please take a moment to do what it takes to "follow" this blog as I would like to be able to post messages, things to think about in preparation for future seminars, and FIRE Crew training "assignments" throughout the spring and summer. If you "follow", then you should get notifications as I post, right? (I think that is how it works anyway).
2) If you haven't, please take time THIS week to complete LAST week's blog assignments. I am actually checking off as you each do each thing on the list. I may give prizes. I may give first choice for "stuff". I may find some way to reward those that do everything in a timely manner ;0)
Kayalin created this! Isn't it beautiful?!?! You are all so talented in so many ways!
Today's Agenda
- Individually 3 minutes: List 5 specific GREAT things you remember about YOUR FIRE crew leader.
- Small Group: 10 minutes: Discuss those GREAT things - read 'em all, over and over! Talk about how you can emulate those behaviors in the fall.
- Individually 3 minutes: List 5 weaknesses you remember about how your FIRE class was run...could be FIRE Crew-related, could be teacher-related, could be how you used or did not use your time, could be...?
- Small Group: 10 minutes: Discuss those weaknesses. Are there common themes? What are some possible solutions you can put in place to AVOID those mistakes in the fall?
- Can you pick someone from your small group willing to post your group findings in the comment area of this blog (sometime in the next week is fine)? Remember to list who worked with you today.
Delaney Warren, Paige Trealor-Ballard, Isabella Cosio, Jeanine Schultz
ReplyDeleteGreat things about our FIRE leaders and how we can do the same:
1) FOOD!!!! :) Bring food/treats for your FIRE kids now and then.
2) Social/academic advice- Freely give your freshman advice that others have given you or that you've come up with.
3) Being approachable- Smile, be friendly, greet the freshman.
4) Friendship- Build a healthy friendship with your FIRE babies.
4) Balanced w/work and fun- Make sure the kids are working, but schedule time to have fun and relax.
5) Time management- Teach the kids how to manage their time wisely. Show them the time management tricks you've come across here at FTHS.
Weaknesses and how to avoid them:
1) Leaders didn't get along- Push past differences and try to become friends.
2) Didn't pursue friendships after FIRE- Outside of FIRE (and the next year after your FIRE babies have moved on) smile at your freshman, say hi, and chat a little. Try to maintain your friendships with them.
3) Too much work- Schedule time for fun! Let the kids know that FIRE isn't just about working.
4) Didn't help academically challenged students- Tell the kids that you are ready and willing to help. Go out of your way to help students that are in need of it. If you can't help, find someone who can.
5) Weren't up-to-date with freshman classes- Talk with/send emails to some of the freshman teachers in order to stay up-to-date.
5 Great Things About Our FIRE Crew Leaders:
ReplyDelete1. Always there to help us in any way possible.
2. Patient. They made sure we understood our assignments.
3. Leader/ Role Model. They were people we could look up to and respect.
4. Welcoming. Created a comfortable and safe environment for us to do homework in.
5. Honest. Were not afraid to tell us what they thought respectfully.
Weaknesses and How to Avoid Them:
1. Disorganized with dates and meetings. We will make sure to have a copy of the bulletin and remind the freshmen of upcoming important dates.
2. Non-focused. WE can motivate the freshman to use FIRE time to work and get organized. ie. Agenda & Grade Checks
3. Misuse of travel. We will make sure that our FIRE kids are signing out and are where they are supposed to be.
4. FIRE leaders ignored their kids for their friends. We will make sure that during FIRE we are giving our attention to our kids by helping or conversing with them because a lot of freshman are pretty cool!
5. Absence of FIRE leaders. We will make sure not to schedule appointments during FIRE because that takes away from our FIRE kids.
Norint Tung, Maddy, Lizbeth, Francisco Reyes
ReplyDeleteGreat Things we remember about our FIRE crew leaders.
1) Helped inform freshmen about events.
2) Fun Fridays for motivation to do well in school.
3) They were able to help quite well.
4) Extremely nice people.
5) Answered my many curious questions to the best of their knowledge.
Weaknesses we remember about our FIRE crew leaders.
1) At times FIRE leaders were not able to explain their answers that well.
2) One FIRE leader was actually missing most of the time.
3) Sometimes the FIRE class was out of control.
4) The FIRE crew teacher didn't really care much about the students, because they always had other upper class-men asking for help.
5) In my FIRE class it was really loud because there were a lot of students who came in to complete make-up work.
David Astorga, Gwendolyn Richey, Ian McMillian, Janine Raduechel
ReplyDelete5 Great Things about Our FIRE Crew Leaders:
1.) Optimistic
2.) Intelligent
3.) Approachable
4.) Not bossy
5.) Helpful
5 Weaknesses about our FIRE Leaders:
1.) Teachers not involved; on the sidelines
2.) Grad Check we pretty most non-existent
3.) Absence of FIRE Leaders
4.) Too “Friendly” with FIRE students.
5.) Let’s kids travel wherever
Ceejae Alfonso, Jenni Scott, Madi Stevenson, and Nicolle Martin
ReplyDeleteFive Great Things About Our FIRE Leaders:
1)They were very understanding of us (Freshman).
2)They were always available to talk to when we needed help.
3)They usually offered incentives when we did good work.
4)They gave us advice on how high school will work.
5)They acknowledged us outside of class.
Five Weaknesses About Our FIRE Leaders:
1)They forgot to tell us the days we were supposed to go to FIRE.
2)They were sometimes gone because of field trips, test corrections, etc.
3)They sometimes let kids ditch FIRE.
4)They were sometimes too strict.
5)They would do the work for you, rather than help you.
Veronica Mellring, Ariana Vivian, Stevi Pell, Karina Schink
ReplyDeleteGreat Things About Our FIRE Leaders and How We Can Follow Their Example:
1) They were very friendly and approachable. They made an effort to talk and be friends with their FIRE kids in and out of the classroom.
2) They made FIRE comfortable by not being super strict.
3) Always available to help students with their homework; they were a great source of knowledge and utilities.
4) They gave rewards to the FIRE kids, such as cookies or In N' Out, for working hard.
5) They were great role models who offered good advice and listened to the concerns and problems of their FIRE students.
Weaknesses About Our FIRE Leaders and How We Can Avoid Them:
1) At least one or more FIRE leaders were absent most of the time. (As FIRE leaders, we should always be present).
2) There was confusion about who took charge in the class: the FIRE leaders or the teacher. This often led to confusion about the FIRE classroom policies. (FIRE students should set the rules and take charge of the class. This is good for learning leadership skills).
3) FIRE students often felt awkward and uncomfortable because they didn't become close with the other FIRE kids or their FIRE leaders. (Include all FIRE students in discussions and games).
4) FIRE leaders couldn't help with certain subjects, or the class was segregated based on math or science level. (There should be at least one FIRE student who is knowledgeable in one or more subjects. That way, every student can receive help in the areas they struggle in).
5) Towards the end of FIRE, the FIRE leaders would let the class do whatever they want; many FIRE kids chose not to work on homework. (FIRE leaders should keep their kids on task throughout the whole school year, so that they can finish their first year strong).
Lilia Carmen , Najah Hawara , and Sandra Meliton
ReplyDeleteGreat things about a FIRE leader
1) very easy to talk to and no uncomfortable/awkward moments
2) they understood very well our freshmen problems and knew just how to help
3) very generous and giving
4) fun when it came to the right time
5) knew everything and knew every question we had to ask
Weaknesses of a FIRE leader
1) they were very fun, but sometimes they were very easy to get off topic and distract us
2) sometimes very loud while talking to someone while the rest of the FIRE class had to work on HW
3) sometimes they looked busy with their own HW that one was afraid to ask for their help
4) in some cases they were clueless when no one had anything to work on
5) most of the times they were not authoritative to those who needed it
Five Great Things about a Fire Leader
ReplyDelete1) Fun, active, and give every student positive attention
2) Nice but can really be a leader and take charge when crucial
3) Rewards their student for their hard work : ie. Fun Fridays, treats, compliments
4) Having a good, clean, open relationship with your students will make them feel good
5) Patience - My fire leader was caring and very patient with me when I didnt under stand something
Five Bad Things About A Fire Leader
1) Not focused on task - we can motivate and reward students for completing the task
2) Letting the kids do whatever they want - Fire leaders should have more energy by the end of the year not less.
3) Unorganize - Having a routine is a good idea so from day one the students know what to expect
4) Letting a kid stay off task - this is unproductive and needs to be addressed immedialtly
5) Not asking questions - Make sure the kid is comfortable enough to ask you for homework help
Lauren Douma, Carlos Cohen, Nick Alexander, Will Randall
ReplyDeleteFive GREAT things about our fire leaders and how to reciprocate:
1) friendly; always being kind and gently inquireing
2) understanding; jokes about classes
3) lighthearted; made sure to joke and smile
4) smart; be well informed about freshman projects,topics;ect.
5) always available and an influential presence; didn’t talk to the students to the point where they couldn’t help
Five WEAKNESSES and how to avoid it:
1)didn’t listen when there was absolutely no work; be informed
2)classroom got too noisy for work; separate talking from non talking students and keep them in check
3)didn’t always explain fully/coherently; be informed and articulate
4)didn’t intervene enough; realize when a student is distracted and [kindly] try to help
5) students weren’t told to work at all; encourage the development of good study habits