What's been going on in POP Class in Term 1

Hello PWHS students and family members of PWHS students who are currently enrolled in Personal Orientation Project - A course designed to provide Grade 9 students with the opportunity to engage in career exploration while reflecting on how the world around them influences their decisions.

We have had a very busy First Term and what with such a tragic start to the year I am happy to say that students have remained positive, enthusiastic and energized for the year.

Students in POP class have been investigating and reflecting upon their own Personal Profiles throughout first term - Developing an understanding of a students personal profile is meant to draw their attention to the various elements in the world that make them who they are. This will make career exploration a little bit more meaningful when we begin that in Term 2

Here is a list of the assignments students were asked to complete in Term 1 - most activities involve the students choosing elements from a bank of choices and then crafting self-reflective examples. Students are marked on the amount of detail they provide in these reflections.

1. My Values - ranking Values and explain how certain values influence your choices

2. My Skills - We discussed Soft Skills and why they are important in any workplace - Students completed the "I can..." survey from HRSDC concerning various types of skills and then determined 5 Skills to include in their Profile.

3. My Weaknesses - Students reflected on the "I can..." survey and chose 6 skills that they thought they could work on / include in their profile.

4. My Goals - Students discussed what SMART goals are and how they are effective - Students were asked to set 4 short term goals - 2 Academic, 2 Life / Social goals and then identify 3 specific things they could do to be successful. Students were then asked to reflect on what challenges they would face, how much time they will take, and how they know when they are successful.

5. There was no specific My Passions / Interests / Hobbies activity as we spent a lot of the beginning of the year identifying these elements in Peer-Oriented Discussions

6. Mind Map Graphic Organizer - Students were then asked to collect and organize the elements of their profile on a graphic organizer. This organizer will be used to complete the students' Personal Profile Mind Map - which will be the first assignment of Term 2.

In other News from today I learned that the superlative comic book man Stan Lee has passed away - I wonder how many young people are aware of the influence he has had and will continue to have on their pop culture universe.

Students who are interested in joining Student government should check out Mr. Leclair's room in the ELA Hallway at Lunch on Day 3 - there is a lot happening around the school in the coming month and getting involved could be something that truly inspires you.

Parents / Students please contact me at sbeketa@wqsb.qc.ca if you have any questions about the work we are doing in class or if you have missed an assignment.