Staying the Course

Staying the Course

by Sam Gomez

Poll

Today, I feel:

• Great!

• Good.

• Meh.

• Dead.

Open Ended

When I feel DEAD or MEH, I ___________________ to make myself feel better.

Example: "When I feel DEAD or MEH, I take my dogs for a long walk with my headphones playing my favorite music. I don't stop walking until I feel better."

Poll

Have you had good memories in school since you started(kindergarten to now)?

• yup

• some good

• mostly bad

• horrible

Open Ended

What is one of your favorite memories from school up until now?

Describe with detail.

Here's mine: "When I was in the fourth grade, I won my school's Spelling Bee contest. I entered accidentally because the best speller in class was absent, and they sent me to represent my class. I won the spelling bee with the word "rampage" which was my favorite video game at the time. It always brings me warm feelings to remember winning that day."

Poll

Can people choose to be happy in any situation?

• yup

• depends

• not really, but s

• nah, never

Open Ended

Tell me about a time that you chose not to be sad or angry.

Example: "I got the news my niece's car was stolen from her apartment. It made me very angry because the apartment complex would not help her. I chose to help her see the positive, because the motor was rebuilt and the car was not running the same. I took her car shopping and helped her with the down payment. She was very happy driving back to Albuquerque this weekend."

​The Next Sections will be a Think, Pair, and Share

​

​1. ) You will think about what to say in writing.

2.) ​Speak to a partner for help

​3.) Then Share out your thoughts to the class.

​Read the Following Poem and think of its THEME

​I wanna start fresh...

and forget this place,

the wicked world I live in,

but not forget how glorious and essential it was to me.

​

Forget the memories that make me weak and sad,

but not forget the memories that are an anchor to my strength.​

​

Forget the people who caused me pain,

but not forget those who were with me in heavy rain.

​Forget my past, mistakes, and regrets,

but not forget the lessons I learned from them.

​

Forget the days when I cried silently,

not aloud,but not forget the same days that make me strong.

​

Forget the old me, find myself and explore,and emerge and shine as never before.

This is why I wanna start fresh.

​

Open Ended

What are your thoughts on the poem?

Write them down

Discuss with a partner

Be Ready to Share

Poll

Is education(school and learning) a choice or an obligation?

• choice

• obligation

Open Ended

Explain your answer:

Is education a choice or an obligation?

Be ready to explain your answer to the class.

Poll

Do we make a conscience decision to NOT learn from our teachers?

• Yes

• No

Open Ended

Explain your answer:

Do we make a conscience decision to not learn from our teachers?

For example: "Yes we make a conscience decision to not learn from our teachers. Mr. Gomez offended me the other day when he said I would never pass his class because I was too lazy to do the work, so now, I show up late, I don't do his work, and I don't participate in his class anymore."

Poll

How long do I have until I graduate from high school?

• 3 1/2 years

• 2 1/2 years

• 1 1/2 years

• 1/2 year

Open Ended

No matter how much time is left, you must keep fighting on.

What are some things you need to do to get to graduation day?

​Commitment to your Learning

​1.) Focus

​2.) Problem Solve

​3.) Resolve Conflicts

​4.) Commit to being a Learner

​5.) Commit to Graduating