The 7th Grade GEMS girls performed skits to show that they know the difference between Conformity and Community, Manipulation and Respect, and Phoniness and Genuineness.  We have had great discussions the past two sessions about these words and what they mean. The girls then took their knowledge and created skits to illustrate these differences.  They [...]

[Read more →]

 
Girls, this year’s retreat was the best one yet! With the addition of a new craft, frame decorating, and Officer Christine’s great safety tips and self-defense moves, it was a blast! Some of your groups were able to complete the group juggle using all ten balls, while others just had fun trying not to let [...]

[Read more →]

The 8th grade GEMS girls taught the 3rd graders about standing up to a bully. The girls read the book My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig and discussed the questions at the back of the book. The 3rd graders were very insightful and the 8th graders did a great job of leading the discussion. At [...]

[Read more →]

During this GEMS mentoring session, the 1st graders looked at the old saying: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” The 8th grade GEMS demonstrated how hurtful words can be with using the “Betty” model. The 1st graders then had the chance to change the words to the old saying [...]

[Read more →]

This GEMS mentoring session was a great preview for the 5th grade girls of what they can expect from their GEMS program next year. The girls were very candid about gossiping and spreading rumors. The 8th graders read Trudy Ludwig’s book, Trouble Talk and helping to facilitate a discussion with the younger girls about friendship.

[Read more →]

During this GEMS mentoring session, the 2nd grade girls learned how to apologize to someone. The 8th grade GEMS girls did an excellent job acting out a scenario, reading Trudy Ludwig’s book, Sorry! and talking to the younger girls about sincere apologies. The 2nd graders did a great job identifying the stereotypes of popular boys [...]

[Read more →]

All of the girls who participated in the GEMS program get to be a part of our culminating sleepover retreat held at the end of the school year. Nancy and I stay after school the Friday before the retreat to set everything up. The girls love the opportunity to bond with all of the GEMS girls, not [...]

[Read more →]

During this mentoring session the 8th grade girls taught the 4th graders about teasing. The girls read Trudy Ludwig’s book “Just Kidding” and discussed the story together. The 4th graders admitted that they were having some problems with teasing. The 8th grade girls listened closely and offered advice from their own experiences. Mrs. Ball was [...]

[Read more →]

This session the girls really got into performing their skits. They illustrated what happens when people act PHONY, CONFORM, and MANIPULATE each other. Then the girls showed how when we are GENUINE, and treat people with RESPECT, we build a COMMUNITY the GEMS way!

[Read more →]