Student Reporting - Jocalyn's experience
Recently, I went to see the film, Harriet. When I was younger I learned about Harriet Tubman but I learned a lot more after watching her film. One thing I learned that I didn't know before was how (in detail) she would free slaves. She was a slave herself before anything else. And the fact was that she was so resilient regardless of what the consequences would be. She fought for her family and fellow slaves but most importantly, she fought for herself. She did what she thought was right despite what others around her thought. Overall, the experience was every encouraging and the realness of the scenes made me very emotional. I was able to feel all of the emotions and it was nice to finally get out of class and watch a film. Also ,the snacks were amazing.
Reflections from Blackity Media Studies HS 223 Students
Student Reporting - Harriet trip
In my opinion, the Harriet trip was fun and interesting because I learned something new when watching the movie. We got snacks for free and I was able to connect with people I barely talk to. Some things I already knew about Harriet Tubman was that her name was Harriet Tubman and that she freed hundreds of slaves across the south single handedly. But when watching the movie, I learned that her real name wasn’t actually Harriet Tubman at first, and it was actually Minty. Another thing that I learned was that Harriet Tubman became a spy during the Civil War to help the union. Overall, the trip was very interesting, I had fun and hope to do this again soon.
Written by Luis Rivera
Reflections from Blackity Media Studies HS 223 Students
Student Reporting - Harriet Trip
I really liked how the Magic Johnson was very clean, when people walk in, it makes them feel more alive. The snacks were very good as well as the movie. I really liked the way the things were set up. There weren't too many people which made it quicker and easier to navigate through the theatre. The floor of the theatre was clean and I really loved it. The movie was the best, it was very interesting. I would go again if I they let us.
Student Reporting - Harriet Film Viewing
When watching the Harriet movie I got to get a recap of what she did and how much of a help she was. I also learned things about her that I didn't know. I didn't know that she helped free slaves during the Civil War. I also got to learn that she freed a lot of slaves. After all that we saw in the movie, I got to see and learn that this woman was a leader and inspired slaves to want to leave the plantations and go to freedom. When I see Harriet, I think about my mom and my mother is my leader. The woman that birthed me is my inspiration to want and do things that I don't think I could. My mom is a young woman that can't see but still does things that a normal human that can see do. My mother is my reason to want to do things and is my motivation to do good in life and get to the point of success that she didn't get to live.
Our good friends at Arete have given me the experience of watching one of the best movies I have seen, Harriet. I am going to talk about my experience & why I liked watching the Harriet movie. The first thing that I liked about the Harriet movie trip is that the movie was realistic & informational. It gave me lots of information about Harriet, like she traveled 100 miles to get her freedom, & more. Another thing I liked about it is that is was very inspirational because it showed parts where Harriet defied the odds & managed to rescue more & more slaves. One example is that when Harriet & the 9 slaves reached the river, one of the slaves decided to leave, but Harriet believed that they could cross & they managed to cross the river, against all odds. And that is it. The experience was sweet & satisfying & I would recommend the movie to more of the friends. Thank you, Arete & MS223.
The Harriet trip was a nice experience and the movie was very nice and interesting. The movie was very creative and historically accurate with a lot of plot twists and turns. The free food added more fun to the experience and helped make the movie better than it already was. The trip was fun and quick since the theater was close and we had a fun time getting our food and taking pictures in the food area. When we were in the theater, the movie was the only thing that really caught my attention since the movie was very unique and different then what I expected. The movie was based on accurate historical information and real life events. The actors who played the roles in the movie did a good job at what they did embodying the roles of their character and making it an engaging experience for the audience. As a whole the trip to and from the theater was good and the movie and food were great. I had a good experience.
The Harriet movie was an amazing movie. It is inspiring to women out there to not give up on any challenges. Also, she shows everyone you don't always have to get revenge on the people that hate you but you could teach them a lesson without making them lose their lives. I feel like the more we do this, the better experience.
The trip experience was cool. Going to the theater was fun as we were able to go with the creative writing class. The movie itself was interesting as it showed the actions that we heard about her in class and it also showed her personal life like her family and dating life. The movie showcased her journey from slave to free women, and how she helped others do the same. It showed a small clip of her role when she fought in Civil War and I thought that was cool. Overall, the trip fun and the movie was motivational.
I really liked how the Magic Johnson was very clean, when people walk in, it makes them feel more alive. The snacks were very good as well as the movie. I really liked the way the things were set up. There weren't too many people which made it quicker and easier to navigate through the theatre. The floor of the theatre was clean and I really loved it. The movie was the best, it was very interesting. I would go again if I they let us.
Reflections from Blackity Media Studies HS 223 Students
Student Reporting - Harriet Trip
The trip experience was cool. Going to the theater was fun as we were able to go with the creative writing class. The movie itself was interesting as it showed the actions that we heard about her in class and it also showed her personal life like her family and dating life. The movie showcased her journey from slave to free women, and how she helped others do the same. It showed a small clip of her role when she fought in Civil War and I thought that was cool. Overall, the trip fun and the movie was motivational.
Student Reporting - Harriet Trip
Our good friends at Arete have given me the experience of watching one of the best movies I have seen, Harriet. I am going to talk about my experience & why I liked watching the Harriet movie. The first thing that I liked about the Harriet movie trip is that the movie was realistic & informational. It gave me lots of information about Harriet, like she traveled 100 miles to get her freedom, & more. Another thing I liked about it is that is was very inspirational because it showed parts where Harriet defied the odds & managed to rescue more & more slaves. One example is that when Harriet & the 9 slaves reached the river, one of the slaves decided to leave, but Harriet believed that they could cross & they managed to cross the river, against all odds. And that is it. The experience was sweet & satisfying & I would recommend the movie to more of the friends. Thank you, Arete & MS223.
Student Reporting - Harriet Trip
The Harriet trip was a nice experience and the movie was very nice and interesting. The movie was very creative and historically accurate with a lot of plot twists and turns. The free food added more fun to the experience and helped make the movie better than it already was. The trip was fun and quick since the theater was close and we had a fun time getting our food and taking pictures in the food area. When we were in the theater, the movie was the only thing that really caught my attention since the movie was very unique and different then what I expected. The movie was based on accurate historical information and real life events. The actors who played the roles in the movie did a good job at what they did embodying the roles of their character and making it an engaging experience for the audience. As a whole the trip to and from the theater was good and the movie and food were great. I had a good experience.
Student Reporting - Harriet Trip
The Harriet movie was an amazing movie. It is inspiring to women out there to not give up on any challenges. Also, she shows everyone you don't always have to get revenge on the people that hate you but you could teach them a lesson without making them lose their lives. I feel like the more we do this, the better experience.

HS 223 Self Care Club
Self-Care club is about teaching high school students ways to take care of themselves and their minds. The purpose of starting the club is that students are not aware of how they can take of themselves and understand their emotions. The club will be kicked off Friday, December 13, 2019, in room 223 from 2:30 to 4:15. Students should join the club because everyone should learn how to take care of themselves mentally. In a setting where you are trying to be a successful student people forget that they are just more than a student but a human first.
Written by Stephanie Polanco

Unpacking the CASEL Framework in SEL & Leadership Pilot Program
The NYC DOE Supportive Environment Framework for Great Schools shares a common vision of fostering students’ social and emotional development to create more equitable learning environments and outcomes. Our SEL & Leadership Pilot Program is closely aligned with CASEL’s integrated framework. This blog post unpacks how the pilot program’s curriculum framework and activities respond to each competency in the CASEL’s framework.
The CASEL framework has five competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making.
1. Self-awareness
Activities we used to develop this competency in students this Fall:
- Emotions Check-in/Check-out (Level 2, Level 3)
- 8 Basic Emotions
- Emotion Vocabulary Builder (Cards for Emotional Check In Games)
- Bio Dots
- Emotional Iceberg (Facilitator Instruction, Activity Instruction, Activity Handout)
- Moon Face Box of Emotion Cards
- Emo Heads Up (Facilitator Instruction, Activity Instruction, Activity Handout)
- Emo Monster (Activity Instruction, EmoMonster Cards, Feeling Words Handout)
- Journaling
- Past, Present, Future (Draw EmotIcons to present past, present and future)
- Emotionometer (Emotionometer Activity Instruction, Emotionometer Handout, Feeling Words Handout)
- Match the Message (Activity Instruction, Activity Handout)
- The SEL Playlist
- StrengthsExplorer posters - students identify 2-3 strengths they have
- Talent Cards & Strengths
- Talent Cards, Strengths & 2 Truths, 1 Lie
2. Self-management
Activities we have used to develop this competency in students this Fall:
- Coping Skills for Kids Card Set
- Pinterest Board Arts Project
- Rhythm (4/8) Breathing (Practice log: document your practices everyday)
- TLS Protocol (10 mins)
- TLS 15 min Practice
- Short TSL Practice
- Sit in circle – Discuss triggers/ stressors/ frustrations
- Journaling
- Stress Web
- Stress Ball (Station Instruction, Stress Ball Activity Handout, Materials: Balloons, lentils/uncooked beans, scissors, sandwich baggie)
- Body Movement
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation
- Deep Breathing Trace
- Mindful Movement and Pose of the Week
- Bio Dots
3. Responsible Decision-making
Activities we used to develop this competency in students this Fall:
- Circles of Belonging
- I Felt _____ When… (Facilitator Instruction, Activity Instruction, Activity Handout)
- Emotion Discovery - Feeling Face Cards
- Past, Present, Future (Draw EmotIcons to present past, present and future)
- Journaling
- Think, Feel, Act Cards
- Brain Talent Cards
4. Relationship Skills
Activities we used to develop this competency in students this Fall:
- Emotion Vocabulary Builder (Cards for Emotional Check In Games)
- Lava Flow Challenge
- Emo Heads Up (Facilitator Instruction, Activity Instruction, Activity Handout)
- Ping Pong Pipeline
- The SEL Hopscotch Game
5. Social Awareness
Activities we have used to develop this competency in students:
- Emotion Discovery - Feeling Face Cards
- Rap Session
- Brain Talent Cards
- UnMASK Arts Project
As shown, we have built in more activities in the first three competencies (Self-Awareness, Self-Management and Responsible Decision-Making) so far because "Know Yourself As a Leader" and "Choose Yourself To Be a Leader" are two core themes of our curriculum in this Fall. By knowing yourself better, you understand your emotional patterns and strengths. You are aware of the insights given by your emotions and strengths and you learn how to make wise choices based on them.
We will be designing more activities aligned with the last two competencies in the Spring as we dive deeper into "Choose Yourself To Be a Leader" and march into our last but not least theme - "Give Yourself As a Leader". Stay tuned for new updates from our upcoming blog posts or follow us on Instagram and Twitter!

SEL & Leadership Club HAPPY Music List
MS 223 students from the SEL & Leadership Club created a music play list based on different emotions. We would like to share their HAPPY music play list with you below:
- High Hopes by Panic at the Disco
- Hall of Fame by The Script feat. Will.i.am
- Kronos Dance by Primitivio
- Happy by Pharrell Williams
- Baby Shark by Pinkfong
- A Million Dreams by Ziv Zaifman, Hugh Jackman, and Michelle Williams
- La Vaca by Mala Fe
- Cliche by MXMTOON
- Happier by Marshmello & Bastille
- Lost in Japan by Shawn Mendes
- We Found Love by Rihanna
- Mine (clean version) by Bazzi
- Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
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