Blog 12/2

THRIVE Director Notes

Posts on this Blog will be directed to help families see what is going on in our THRIVE Program.  Items discussed on the Blog have already occurred. To keep updated on what’s coming up please refer to the THRIVE activity calendar or UCM activity calendar.

First-Year Students:

University Foundations-  Students submitted the “Life Story” while on Thanksgiving break. Students did an excellent job working on their papers. Students practiced their writing skills and shared what they wanted to about their lives. They used some of the assignments from earlier to help them create their papers. Students were asked to use their resources by going to the learning lab at the library and asking others for help as well.  

This week we prepared for next semester. Monday students logged on to My Central. Some students had to update their account. Most students were able to view their spring semester classes. Tuesday Dr. Manning talked about job shadowing next semester. All students were asked to email him 5 possible places they would be interested in job shadowing. Wednesday the class split up. Mr. Brunkhorst took ½ of the students and Mrs. Southard took the other ½ and we walked campus showing all the students were their classes are starting January 13th.  Students were encouraged to take a picture of the building to help them remember come January. All of the students with the instructor went over to OAS and refreshed their memory where it is. We also practice filling out pink sheets that are needed to arrange to take all their new class tests. Students were asked to keep them in a folder for the new class. Not all classes will have tests but everyone is ready just in case. Thursday, Mrs. Southard reviewed what papers are due on Friday. Friday was test day. 

DILS (Daily Independent Living Skills)- In this final week of the semester for the first-year students, we spent time discussion S.M.A.R.T Goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely). We talked about setting goals for next semester based on their performance this semester. I encouraged them to look ahead at what they want to accomplish in the Spring and set goals accordingly. We also spent some class time finishing up assignments and studying for final exams.

Technology Literacy- Some of Tech Literacy was used as study time to finish outstanding homework assignments and to prepare for final exams. We also learned how to create folders in their UCM Gmail accounts and transferred all the Fall 2019 emails from their inboxes to a Fall 2019 folder. Students learned to color-code their files and some even began setting up separate folders for their classes this Spring to better keep up with instructor communications.

On Thursday, December 5th we showed the student iMovie trailers during class. Mr. Brunkhorst, Mrs. Southard, & Dr. Manning were present at the viewing. The kids did a great job on this final project and one young man discovered an interest in film and theater as a result of creating his iMovie trailer. This is always a fun, learning experience for the end of the semester.

Relationships class-   All first-year students were invited to attend a study session on Tuesday morning at 8:00. Several students attended. We went to the collaboration zone and discussed the final. Mrs. Southard was impressed with students that attended. Also on Thursday at 2:00, all students were invited to a repeat of a Kahoots quiz that repeats the questions that were on the test on Friday.

Last day of Relationships:

Second-Year Students:

Transition Planning I: We finished our book study this week and reviewed it for the final.  The final for this class will be on Tuesday at 8:00 - 10:00. If the students study the study guide and use learning strategies they will not have a problem on the final.  The final will be over the “7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” and our class discussions.

During the semester the students have grown a lot in their self-confidence, responsibilities, and independence.  Even though at times the students might have felt overwhelmed or unassured of themselves they survived the semester and learned a lot of new skills.   

Internship I:  The students are finishing up their internships either this week or next week.  The students experienced a lot of new ideas, new skills, and situations that they may have to work with.   As the students are finishing up their internships, students are updating their resumes and references. The students are also asking for recommendation letters for their supervisor(s) to put into their portfolio.  

Plato-  All students had new December assessments. The week before Thanksgiving break many of the second years did not complete their two hours in each subject area and had to work during Thanksgiving to get caught up.

THRIVE Activities: 

Mentor Activities: 

Kim is doing Christmas cards for an activity for the 2nd-year this weekend and some of the students went to the Mules/Jennies basketball game.  I don’t have pictures at this time.

Just a reminder that the pictures posted on the blog are typically just a sample of what is on Facebook.  So, if you want to see more and keep more updated, please go to our Facebook page - UCM-THRIVE.

Important upcoming dates:

Fall Break / December Finals:

 The dorms will open back up on Sunday at noon on December 1st.  

The First-year students left on Friday/Saturday so we hope that they are having fun and enjoying time with family and friends.  

Finals for Second-Year students will be during finals week, December 9th through the 13th.  The Second-Year students will need to be out of the dorms by Friday the 13th at 6 pm.  They will need to follow the check-out procedures before they leave. The mentors and staff will go over the procedure the week before. If students don’t follow the procedures there can be a fee charged to their account.   If they have books and THRIVE iPads they will also need to return them before they leave. It looks like most of our students are leaving Tuesday, with some staying a bit later. Please make sure you get with your student if you haven’t already. The THRIVE staff would like for students to be picked up after their last final unless their internship lasts longer.  That way the students that are left in the dorm can have some quiet time for studying for their finals.

Spring Dorms Open:

The dorms will open back up on January 12th at noon for returning students for the Spring Semester.  The students will need to be moved back into their dorm by Sunday night. There won’t be a study hall on this Sunday.

"This blog is a programming blog written by the director and staff of the THRIVE Program on the University of Central Missouri campus.  This blog doesn't accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions. 

The views and ideas expressed on this blog are purely the blog owners.  This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.  We are simply telling you what we plan to do in our program and using the blog to help spread what we are doing on a weekly basis."