February's "Star Student" Trait of the Month is Taking Healthy Risks

AIS-R Middle School "Star Students" chosen during February will be given personal recognition for the exceptional character quality of being a healthy risk taker.

Healthy risk-taking is a positive tool in an adolescent's life for discovering, developing, and strengthening his or her character.  Risk Taking is the courage to begin a course of action or make a decision even though disappointment or failure may be a possibility.  Risk takers realize that no one succeeds 100% of the time, and on occasion more can be learned from failure than success.

Everyone needs to be able to take healthy risks in life.  Risk taking is a crucial ingredient to learning, growth, and development.  In reality, a person who consistently avoids risks due to worry or fear of failure may minimize their overall potential for success.

Coleman Hawking, a famous American jazz tenor saxophonist, acknowledged, "If you don't make mistakes, you aren't really trying."  As well, if you never try, how can you succeed?

There is a major critical difference between calculated, healthy risk taking and impulsive risk taking.  A calculated risk - often understood as a "challenge" - is one that is thought out in advance; is balanced with little chance for hurt or negative consequences.  Impulsivity, however, is a trait that has a strong link to potentially negative outcomes.  Healthy, calculated risk taking, researchers believe, also has a predictive value for positive behaviour, affirmative self esteem, and success in life.

Middle School teachers will be selecting those students who not only take healthy risks academically, but socially and emotionallly as well.  It takes courage for students to "have a go" and put forth the spirited effort to better themselves while contributing positively to those around them.  Healthy risk takers are authentic learners, and they make a positive difference at AIS-R Middle School!

Holly Raatz

"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."

Robert F. Kennedy

"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go"

T.S. Eliot

Sources:

Acquilano, Nelson. "High Risk Factors for Teens." Web.  7 Sept. 2009. <http://www.middleweb.com/adolesrisk.html>.

"CreatingMinds - quotes and quotations from the wise on all matters creative." CreatingMinds - tools, techniques, methods, quotes and quotations on all matters creative. Web. 2 Feb. 2010. <http://creatingminds.org/quotes/daring.htm>.

Ponton, Lynn E.  The Romance of Risk Why Teenagers Do the Things They Do. New York: Basic, 1998. Print.

"Risk Quotes." Goal Setting. Web. 2 Feb. 2010.<http://www.goal4success.com/risk-quotes/index.html>.

March's "Star Student" Trait of the Month is Effective Communication Skills

The ability to communicate effectively is an essential skill for success in life.  A recent report from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills focuses on six key elements for 21st century learning.  The ability to "use knowledge and skills to think critically and communicate clearly" is highlighted under the key element of "Learning Skills." Students who can think critically and communicate effectively build from a broad base of core academic subject skills, knowledge and understanding.

Communication is a powerful tool.  Both nonverbal and verbal communication skills are a vital part of everyday life.  Information cannot be effectively acknowledged, shared or exchanged without using good communication skills.  To clearly and successfully communicate, or share information with others at a thorough level of understanding, is a critical life skill.  Good communicators are interesting to listen to; they have something to say that is worth consideration.  Good communicators are curious, eager to learn, and eager to share openly with others- knowing what they want to say, how to say it, and why they want to share it.

Good communication skills are learned.  It takes effort, commitment and practice, and is an essential key to success in the 21st century.  Benefits of good communication skills are endless!  During the month of March, AIS-R Middle School will be highlighting outstanding students who strive to communicate clearly and effectively.

Holly Raatz

Sources:

Carney, Susan.  "Communication Builders:  Strategies for Talking to Teens."  Communication Builders:  Strategies for Talking to Teens (2007). Youth Development. Web. 10 Feb. 2010.<http://http://youthdevelopment.suite101.com/article.cfm/communication_builders>.

Effective Communication Skills - A Good Communication Skills Resource. Web. 10 Feb. 2010. <http://www.comunicationskillsinfo.com/>.

"Equipped for the Future - EFF Fundamentals." Equipped for the Future - Portal. Web 28 Feb.2010. <http://eff.cls.utk.edu/fundamentals/eff_standards.htm>.

Salpeter, Judy. "21st Century Skills:  Will Our Students Be Prepared?" Tech & Learning (2008): 1-4. Web. 10 Feb. 2010. <http://http://www.techlearning.com/article/13832>.

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills - Home. Web. 10 Feb. 2010. <http://www.21stcenturyskills.org>.