Sixth activity

(You will need a soft toy to use for the speaker)

“The purpose of these activities is to practise listening and concentration”

1. Claps (demonstrate how to clap quietly using two fingers)
sit in a circle. Each child in turn makes one clap. Practise clockwise and anti-clockwise, trying to create a rhythm. Then, anyone is allowed to make two quick claps –this changes the direction of the claps. (You have to listen carefully to play well)

2. (Use the toy. Make a rule that only the person with the toy may speak) “We are going to play a game where I start a story and then stop to let one of you add a sentence or two.” (This girl walked into the village shop with no shoes on....)

3. Chinese whispers (Only if there's time or if you feel comfortable)
(discuss, “When do you feel listened to or not listened to?”)

Example:

• I feel listened to when dad helps with my homework
• I don't feel listened to when I work in a group
  

Anti-Bullying Conference

Last week's conferences, as well as being a lot of fun, gave us all plenty to think about. Steve and Jill were impressed with our mentoring scheme and, of course with all of you. I was really proud to see and hear you all in action: it was clear that you have remembered many of the messages from your early training. It was also clear that you were able to call on your experiences as mentors so far.

I thought the Friday session was particularly useful. It was great to have the prefects with us: it underlined the feeling that we are all working towards the same aim. As Steve and Jill said at the time, it's up to all of us now to keep the ideas alive and do even more to help the school community. I know Mrs Denby is buzzing with it and it will be good to follow up the action plans you started on Wednesday. The range of ideas and the energy you showed were really encouraging.

Remember that activity five is for this coming Wednesday, 28th November.

Fifth activity

(This needs a blindfold - a sweatshirt will do)

"The purpose of this activity is to prove how well we know each other."

• Ask for a sweatshirt from the group to be used as a blindfold
• Ask for a volunteer
• Blindfold them (with care)
• Ask the rest of the group to silently change places
• Say to the volunteer, "I am going to ask members of the group to say something; you have to tell me who you think is speaking."
• Point to each member of the group in turn. Ask them to say, "Greetings, your majesty."
• If there's time, everybody can have a go
• Is it still possible to identify them if they change their voice?
• Discuss: how do we learn somebody's voice without trying

Thank them for working with you and making your job easier

Badges

Rather than moan about missing badges (ie this is a moan about missing badges) I will reward those mentors I see wearing their badges in future. It is part of your 'uniform'; the way year five can spot you. So, without your badge, you are saying to them, "I will leave you to deal with your own problems." This is the opposite of the caring message we want to give, every day of the school year.

Congratulations to Tiffany on making a good job of last Wednesday's activity. Mrs Williams was pleased that Tiffany took on the responsibility and made it work. Thanks also to Beth who has supported Tiffany well this year.

There may be all sorts of reasons, but the attendance at Thursday's meeting was not brilliant. I am looking for full attendance in future or AN EXPLANATION of why you didn't attend.

Fourth Activity

“The purpose of this activity is to find out more about what we have in common”

Start with a round of names. “I am Stuart and I love cake”

Then:

The group work together, or in threes. Give them these instructions:

By talking, you need to find out ten things you have in common (they must be unusual things, not just eyes and hair, so choose things like relatives living abroad, where you went for your holidays)
Every time you find something you have in common, you all shout “yes”
When you’ve got ten you shout “yes,yes,yes”

As usual, bring them back together and ask them to share what they have discovered. Instead of hands up, point to or, better still, name the one you want to speak.

Half term

There will not be a session with your mentees on the first Wednesday back. This session will be dedicated to paired reading and Mrs Williams will organise it.
On Thursday 1st November I will meet you to pass on the notes for the following Wednesday, so you can enjoy your half term, knowing you have a week to spare.
There are some very interesting Anti-Bullying days coming up, with school workshops being planned. You will obviously be involved in these, so keep your eyes and ears open for more information.

Buddy Stop is Buzzing

To all mentors.
The Buddy Stop mentors are always looking for ways to improve what they do. At a recent meeting they devised a set of rules to help them stay focussed. Jess gave me permission to print the rules here: I thought you might be interested. (You may have to ask them what some of these mean)

• No clapping in meetings
• If you dis. anyone we get two days off that month
• Don't tell ANY friends about Buddy Stop
• Buddy Stop has to be run every day with two people on it
• Chart
• Do not involve FRIENDS in Buddy Stop, getting in the way, waiting for you, etc. It wastes time. Tell the friends you have got Buddy Stop
• Break a rule - get a day taken off that month
• Mature a lot

They really seem to be trying new ways to make it work, and have already made some good decisions and helped younger pupils, not just in year five. Well done, Buddystoppers, and keep going everybody.

Third Activity

(Mr Kirton will provide the "postcards")

“THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACTIVITY IS TO THINK ABOUT FRIENDSHIP AND FIND OUT MORE ABOUT EACH OTHER”

Warm up by checking that they all know each other’s names.
1. ASK MENTEES IF THEY HAVE SEEN POSTCARDS IN NEWSAGENTS WINDOWS OR IN SUPERMARKETS WHICH ADVERTISE THINGS FOR SALE: BIKES, CARS, PRAMS, ETC.
Remind them that the person selling the item will mention all the good points about the item. (if you can, show them an example which you have made)
Ask them to think about selling themselves as a friend, concentrating on their positive qualities.

2. Give them each a postcard sized piece of paper and get them to write an advert about themselves. (They must do it in secret and not mention their name) 5 minutes
When they have finished, collect in the ‘postcards’ and shuffle them.
3. You then read the adverts aloud and ask the others in the group to guess who the advert is about. The advertiser should not give themselves away. Wrong guesses are as useful as right ones.

When all cards have been read, go back over some of the information given. Ask:
“who remembers the one who’s got a pony?”
“tell me something you have learned about Sally.”
“tell me about David’s good points”
“is it easy/hard to think about your good qualities?”

Mentor update

I had a conversation with Mrs Williams and Mrs Mason about the group changes they made on Wednesday 12th September.

First of all they didn't know that you were expecting to see the same 5th years you met on transfer day. This was my fault for not telling them how we have done things in the past. Secondly, they said that they wanted to get to know their classes a bit so that they could match groups of pupils to your skills. So, for instance, if one of you has a particular skill in music or games, it would be a good idea to link you up with a year five pupil with similar interests. When you think about it, this is a very good idea and one I hadn't thought of (you're not the only ones learning as you do the job.)

Because it's such a good idea and because I value the judgement of these experienced colleagues, we will work with the groups we've been given. I'm sorry some of you were fazed by my mistake and I'm sure you will adapt. If you like, this is your first chance to show how adaptable you are. Keep up the good work.

Mr Kirton