DYS Homeroom

This week we tackled the topic of handling unpleasant feelings in a beneficial manner (versus being a volcano that explodes out the side). We discussed why it is wise to acknowledge frustration and anxiety are normal feelings sending us signals. Such feelings can be present even while pursuing something we love. When challenging feelings send us “made up stories,” we have to learn how to talk back to them and let them out in a way that doesn't hurt ourselves or others. Using activities 13 and 14 in the Gifted Kids Workbook , we analyzed the complex nature of frustration. Guiding quotes: "What makes it frustrating is what makes it valuable." “You don’t have to believe everything you think.”  “I feel, then I think, therefore I am.”  Optional journal/discussion prompts to go along with this week’s mini lesson: 1. What frustrates you the most right now and what stories come with it? If you had to give your “frustration story” a title, what would it be? (The “I’m not as good a...

Concerning the daily mini-lesson, this week we focused on the chapter “Learning vs. Knowing” from The Gifted Kids Workbook. We discussed how learning and knowing are not the same thing. True learning is designed to be hard regardless of high ability.  The activities from this week's lesson are meant to help students internalize how it is ok (and even encouraged!) that they experience challenges and frustration on a frequent basis. Guiding Quotes: "Mere exposure and deep understanding are two different things." - Cal Newport "Beware of unearned wisdom." - Carl Young Optional journal/discussion questions for the week: 1. What is one of your more difficult subjects or classes? If you don’t have any currently, can you think of some from the past? If you can’t think of an academic area, what about a sport, cooking, art, or riding a bike? 2. What emotions do you have as you imagine working on this activity (from question 1)? What does your mind tell you about yoursel...