Guidance Article (UNEDITED)
For the 2008-2009 school year, a new required class was added to the freshmen’s roster. Many of you ask, “Why was this class just now added? What is its benefit? What do the students do in this class?” Each day, students engage in activities and lessons that allow them to gain essential high school skills needed for the future. They also benefit by achieving valuable study skills, time, and a teacher to lead you in the right direction. High school is also one of the very social times in a person’s life. Many doors and opportunities reveal themselves to you, allowing you to reach for any chance you get. However, no one survive high school without the help of their close friends and companions. In order to build yourself up and reach for goals farther than you can imagine, you need the help and support of your peers. Their decision and opinions can influence a child’s life by more than you may imagine. The guidance class offers a period for students to study with one another and create a learning environment safe from judgment or criticism; it allows one to create allies in school.
Though this is the first year the Clark County School District has entered guidance as one of the required classes, the guidance curriculum is pretty set. Their goal is to give students the schools they need to survive in high school, and in the coming future. During the first semester, teachers would have their students have S.S.R. (sustained silent reading) for a reasonable amount of their time. It allowed students to create a habit out of reading and to read out of sheer enjoyment rather then by force. Many presentations and lectures are given to the students. Presentations about the human brain, colleges, and animals rights are among the many presentations the guidance class has viewed. Occasionally the counselor pops in to the classes to inform students about high school credits required to get certain diplomas and how to create a plan for the student’s next four years of education.
Note taking is an essential skill students need to acquire good grades in school. The guidance teachers have their students use the Cornell Note format for all of their notes so the students will get used to using the format. Cornell Notes were created in Cornell University as a solution to the problem of inefficient note taking. A lesson on multiple intelligences allowed the students to learn that different type of people require different types of learning and teaching methods. Each of the students were to take a survey to determine what kind if intelligence they had. After find the way they learned best, the students had to use the skills they specialized in help them in subjects they weren’t so great at. For example, if you’re a student who is a visual learner rather than a spatial learner, you could use your ability to picture images in your mind and create stories to come up with ideas for your English essays and assignments. It was all a matter of using your strengths to overcome your weakness, making the students more well rounded.
Visits to the library are frequent, giving the students time to familiarize themselves with their school library and to research using the computer lab. Several projects and web quests are done using the computer lab and many special search engines and databases such as ABC Clio, EBSCO Host, and Grolier’s Encyclopedia. Projects like the “All About Me” assignment were given so the students could learn more about their ancestry and genealogy. The students were able to learn more about their family history and were able to gain more knowledge and insight on themselves.
The guidance students became aware of the cultural diversity in America on “Mix it Up Day”. All students were to participate in this event during their lunch hour. It allowed them to meet new people outside of their own group and to become more educated and knowledgeable about diversity in our world today. The students thoughts on the conflicts and values of cultural differences were mandatory essays to be written after several projects and assignments.
Some presentations were given to advise students about bullying and internet safety for their own safety. The different methods of bullying were introduced to them as well as ways to prevent bullying from happening. The students that usually stand by and watch while someone gets bullied learned that they are as bad as the bully for not doing anything to help the victim. Their decision could affect the outcome of the wellbeing of more students then they could imagine. By simply standing up for someone, a whole massacre of events could be avoided.
In the 21st century the use of electronics and technology has become popular among the new generation. However, devices such as the internet also can be portals to danger for kids. A lesson on internet safety and cyber bullying were given to the students so they could protect themselves from being harmed by using the internet. Keeping private information to themselves was one of the pointers that the students learned.
Several issues and conflicts are brought up in the guidance class, so the classes have been trying to participate in more Socratic Seminars do discuss these topics. The differences in culture once again came up during these discussions so the class could hear their peer’s thoughts on the conflicts that arise from diversity. Bloom’s Taxonomy was one of the teachings in the class, educating the students on the different levels of thinking their brain goes through in order to process thoughts and information. The AVID program also came in to inform students about their programs and the possibilities that could come from joining.
One of the more recent presentations the students viewed was about colleges. Past Sierra Vista graduates from the 2007-2008 school year came to tell the students about their experiences in college. Brian, last years valedictorian with a GPA of 4.8, informed the students about all the opportunities college gives students. You get a flexible schedule so you can have classes just about anytime of the day, and you can choose whether or not to have a small group class or a large class that could take place in the auditorium. Joining clubs and running for office were among his many tips to get noticed by colleges. Extracurricular activities also give students higher chances of being noticed. Brian also stated that challenging classes are definitely options colleges offer for those who are determined to get the best education possible.
Vicky told the learners about having jobs during their school years. During this time and age college does not come cheep. At UNLV, which she attends, classes can be $2,5000 for just a single semester. Tuition is increasing by 25% each year. She told the students that ditching classes and skipping out on lessons will just waste the money you spend on your crucial education. Students who graduate with certain diplomas are given a scholarship to any college in Nevada such as UNLV, UNR, or CSN. These colleges are great starters to use the scholarships students can acquire by getting high enough diplomas. Ways to pay off your college tuition and loans could be by getting a part time job. Flexible jobs on campus are available to students who want to work on their college grounds. If the students need to study for exams or tests, they simply must tell their supervisors or managers in advance to get days off. Having a job, going to school, and participating in time consuming and doesn’t allow much time to study. Vicky recommended you bring your textbooks to your work so you can study during your breaks or whenever you have free time. She also suggested working every other day so you won’t be exhausted by the end of the week. Monthly payment options are offered for some employments so students can pay off their debt little by little.
Kayla, one of the salutorians, told them of the benefits of clubs, sports and community service in high school can do for the students. You get to meet new people who share similar interests as you, get out of your comfort zone, become more social and outgoing. Getting used to a social environment prepares the students for what’s up ahead in their future years. Clubs and sports can be self rewarding as well as look good on college applications. As important as grades are to colleges, being well rounded is their main priority when they examine students. If you want to get somewhere in life, you have to work hard and do things to get there.
The other salutorian, Nicole, educated the students on scholarships. High SAT scores can broaden a student’s college options. When it comes to applying for college, the students have to remember they have to sell themselves. What’s going to make them stand out and make the colleges choose them? Was this student participating in school, sports, and clubs or were they just staying at their house wasting away their youth? Nicole had AP classes, was in three clubs as well as being officers for two of them, was on the bowling team, and had a job. She managed to juggle all these tasks while still maintaining a high GPA my focusing on what she wanted, which was to go to college. Scholarship opportunities are everywhere, she said. The students just have to know how to find them. Getting to know your teachers well can be very rewarding. Teachers usually know the best places a student can get good educations and usually are aware of scholarship contests students can participate in to help pay for college. Fastwebs.com is another way students can apply for more scholarships. She said you can never apply for too many because if you ever have any extra money left, that money goes straight to the student. The money can be used for whatever they please: gas money, shopping, and so on.
While applying for college, Nicole was put in a tough situation. She had been given a full scholarship to attend a college in Washington D.C., all the way on the other side of the country. When she went to see the school, it was everything she had ever dreamed of. A nice learning campus with small classes so the students could focus more in class. However it was so far away and all her friends were to attend UNLV for their beginning years in college. She had to decide between either her dream college, or her friends. If she went to D.C., the population of students would be much smaller, where as to UNLV having all her friends and everyone she grew up with. Leaving UNLV would be leaving her comfort zone, where her friends and family all were. Her mother told Nicole to ask herself this, “Would you rather be a big fish in a small tank, or a small fish in a big tank?” Nicole decided to take the offer and go to D.C., keeping in mind she could always go back home if she didn’t like it. She said to take advantage of the opportunities you are given; reach for options in the world because you can always come home.
