This experiential workshop will provide an introduction to the theory and practice of mindfulness, and will consider the growing evidence base for the benefits that it offers for teachers and pupils. Participants will experience part of the ".b" course for teenagers and suggestions for follow-up will be provided. What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is present moment awareness. There is now considerable and compelling evidence that training in mindfulness is a very effective way of alleviating stress, anxiety and depression as well as promoting well-being and flourishing. Mindfulness courses are now available on the NHS in the UK. What does mindfulness training involve? Participants learn to sustain and focus their attention, exploring and accepting their experience in an open-minded way, using physical sensations as anchors whenever the mind wanders.
Rachel Kessler, in her book, The Soul of Education, describes the need to honor young voices by helping them with Deep Connections to Self, to Others and to their Community. The counselors at AIS Bucharest developed an experientially based class utilizing Kessler’s concepts with a Social Emotional Learning twist. It is currently part of our Health Curriculum for Grades 8 and 10. You will leave the workshop understanding how we have woven active listening skills and personal identity concepts such as Third Culture Kids, Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and the Johari Window with discussions about Friends, Privilege, Social Consciousness and other student selected topics. The class encourages our students to be more in touch with their emotional and inner lives with the goal of self-acceptance and acceptance of others.
Many, many educators are in agreement that developing the value of global citizenship in children is an important endeavor. However, the challenge for many is how to do so in a meaningful manner. With pressure of implementing a very robust curriculum the question for many is where they can find the time to "teach" global citizenship in the school day. The design of this approach allows for the full integration of the teaching of the principles and the concepts of global citizenship across the curriculum. This design has been successfully replicated in a number of schools.
In this presentation participants will be presented with a model they can replicate in their own schools. With this framework they will be able to teach and promote global citizenship without compromising academic excellence. A template will be provided to all participants that illustrates how to carry out this integration.
In this workshop participants will be introduced to body percussion and its benefits and uses in the performing arts classroom and beyond. Body percussion enhances motor skills, balance, and coordination; as well as developing musical skills and providing opportunities for collaborative creations. Participants will be actively engaged in body percussion activities including basic pattern echoing and songs and games from around the world. Additionally, participants will investigate the social and collaborative advantages of body percussion through group compositions based on poetry and proverbs.
How much do you need to save for retirement? What amount should you be putting away monthly to make sure you can retire the way you envision? Most people have never sat down to do the math on what is perhaps one of the most important, long-term endeavors they will ever undertake: preparing for their own retirement. It's like preparing for a long flight in your own plane and not doing the math on how much fuel you will need to get there. Don't leave such an important calculation to guesswork. We will discuss with you relevant planning considerations and show you how to calculate the amount you should be saving each month. The sooner you do the math and start saving, the lower your number will probably be.
As more and more of our professional and personal lives are online and our privacy less evident in a digital age, what are some strategies and learnings schools should consider when supporting their school community to understand online privacy. We will look at tools and ways to manage a positive digital footprint in the context of the classroom and school. We will look at what schools strategically need to consider, and also individual teachers and students, to ensure they are well informed and understand what it means to have most of our personal information on the web.
Kelly and Michelle will give a power point presentation of Grade 1 students participating in Morning Meetings and Closing Circles. It will also include an iMovie and still photographs. The purpose, structure and components of a morning meeting and closing circle will be explored. Workshop participants will be invited to take part in a morning meeting and sing and recite classroom routines, expectations and rules. Participants will also participate in closing circle activities.