December 15th - 19th

The first semester was a smash and the staff, students, and parents at Scott Carpenter Middle School are looking forward to the next phase of The YESS Institute! This week, the mentors prepared for a school-wide initiative, which will take place in January and worked hard to analyze and improve their listening skills.

Monday and Tuesday, we walked through some of the #IRiseAbove lessons and discussed ways in which the mentors could lead their classmates through difficult topics regarding stress and anxiety. Each group did a great job of talking about their own issues and identifying ways in which they could help peers.

Wednesday, we took a quiz to gauge how well we listen and it turns out...we don't do well. The students took a quiz, which I adapted from the one found here. Out of 140 possible points, most students scored between 75-90. As you might imagine, the kids were wondering what their score meant and I was able to introduce the concept of "listening levels." We talked about the attributes of each level: Level 1 listeners are more concerned with talking than with listening; Level 2 listeners pay attention to the content, but not the meaning; and Level 3 listeners pay attention to the speakers' feelings, as well as the content.

On Thursday, I wanted to allow the students a chance to dive into this concept a little deeper. I asked all the students to partner with one other person to write a skit. The pairs were tasked with creating and performing a short skit that demonstrated one of the listening levels. Check out one of the scripts below:

     Derly: Hi my name is Derly

        Me: Oh hi my name is Diana and I need help on my listening

     Derly: I was trying to do my work but the teacher wouldn't help me...So then...

        Me: Oh yeah that happened to me to

     Derly: He came up to me and asked "why aren't you doing your work"

        Me: Oh, yeah I hate when they do that, that happened to me to.

     Derly: There were five minutes left in class and he said he will help supposibly.

        Me: *Spacing out* What?!

     Derly: Did you hear what I said?

        Me: Nope, sorry

     Derly: You really need help on your listening.

Today, the students have the holiday break on their brains, which isn't leaving much room for much else. We practiced meditation and a little bit of yoga to help keep them calm, then played some games to foster community. 

When we come back in January, the mentees will be starting. I'm looking forward to matching the kids up and fostering some new friendships.