OH! News - Keeping Your Mind Over Your Matters
 
August 2002
 
"Change your thoughts and you change your world." -- Norman Vincent Peale
 
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THIS MONTH'S FEATURES
  • Thinking it Through: Tools to Help Address Students' Feelings About the Anniversary of September 11th 
  • MindOH! Adds Character Education Lesson Plans
  • MindOH! 2002 Program Evaluation
  • Olympic Athlete Ruben Gonzalez Joins MindOH! Foundation's Speakers' Bureau 
  • MindOH! Aligns with Technology Applications Readiness Grants for Empowering Texas (TARGET) 

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THINKING IT THROUGH: TOOLS TO HELP ADDRESS STUDENTS' FEELINGS ABOUT THE ANNIVERSARY OF SEPTEMBER 11TH 

 

As we approach the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, many young people may experience what is called the "anniversary effect." Some may experience sadness, pain, or even guilt. Some may hear a song, see a photograph, or smell something that reminds them of the terrorist attacks and triggers unexpected feelings of grief. Some youngsters may act out in inappropriate ways, particularly toward Arab-Americans or Muslims. 

 

The MindOH! Foundation Web site has a number of Thinking It Through worksheets, which were developed by mental health and education professionals with appropriate expertise. Although these worksheets were first developed after the attacks, they continue to be relevant today because strong feelings may resurface, creating a teachable moment when a youngster can be guided through a process that helps him or her think things through. 

 

To access the Thinking it Through worksheets and other resources, visit www.mindohfoundation.org.

 

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MINDOH! ADDS CHARACTER EDUCATION LESSON PLANS  

 

Teachers and staff of MindOH! client schools will be able to download more than 50 character-based lesson plans that provide activities and discussions to facilitate an internal motivation between what is learned and the "real world." Users will find activities based on the value, an issue or event, and by appropriate teacher subjects. Lesson plans include activities and discussions about values, issues, and feelings in a way that provides a link between affective domain and cognitive thinking. If you are a MindOH! Pilot school or client school, contact news@mindoh.com to learn how you can access the MindOH! lesson plans. 

 

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MINDOH! 2002 PROGRAM EVALUATION

 

If you have not already received a copy of MindOH!'s 2002 Program Evaluation, email news@mindoh.com. Some highlights from the report include:

  • Results suggest the What's Up? module prepares students for more meaningful conversations with school authorities.
  • After using the Respect module, over 80% of students reported that they had a better understanding of the different types of respect.
  • Almost 90% of students who went through the Responsibility module reported that they had a better understanding of why being responsible will get them better results.
  • The What's Up? and Respect modules provide a mechanism for students to "calm down" emotionally.

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OLYMPIC ATHLETE RUBEN GONZALEZ JOINS MINDOH! FOUNDATION'S SPEAKERS' BUREAU

 

Ruben Gonzalez, a three-time Olympic luge athlete and inspirational speaker, has joined the MindOH! Foundation to deliver speeches and workshops to students about motivation, passion and perseverance. His amazing journeys to the 1988, 1992 and 2002 Olympics demonstrate how hard work and smart choices can pay off. "My goal is for them to understand that poor choices like taking drugs, smoking, or associating with the wrong crowd, will keep them from achieving their goals," said Ruben.

 

For more information about Ruben Gonzalez, visit his Web site at www.thelugeman.com. To contact the MindOH! Foundation about having Ruben speak at your school, email info@mindohfoundation.org. 

 

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MINDOH! ALIGNS WITH TARGET GRANT
(TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS READINESS GRANTS FOR EMPOWERING TEXAS)


MindOH!'s Discipline and Life Skills Series meets a number of the criteria listed in the recently-released Texas Education Agency grant, TARGET, which is due on October 10, 2002 and will award at-risk Texas schools $24 million. The purposes of The Enhancing Education Through Technology program (part of the No Child Left Behind Act), includes investing in innovative methods of technology to support curriculum, academic achievement and school initiatives. Additionally, the grant requires analysis tools and accountability for the success of the new technology -- MindOH!'s School Administrative Database helps fulfill this criteria. Eligible applicants can receive up to one million dollars for technology initiatives. For a copy of the grant application, go to http://www.tea.state.tx.us/grant/announcements/docs/target/. For more information, please email sales@mindoh.com.

 

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FEATURED CHARACTER EDUCATION LINKS FOR AUGUST:

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ABOUT OH! NEWS

OH! News is a free monthly email newsletter distributed by MindOH! (www.mindoh.com). MindOH! is dedicated to providing young people with the necessary tools to develop strong character traits and a healthy self-concept. The first company to deliver Web-based character education combining Flash and Real Media to create interactive computer modules, MindOH! teaches students problem-solving techniques and communication skills, reinforcing universally held virtues such as respect and responsibility.
 
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