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This book brings readers inside the school to aid them in their own personal and professional reflections on practices and ways of being with children in this shared journey towards a better world. How can we support children and teachers'continued growth as kind, caring, compassionate people that work towards equity in this world? At School for Friends in Washington, DC, educators Makai Kellogg, Magy Youssef, and Sabina Zeffler and mentor Jacky Howell have worked to nurture and strengthen children's dispositions for empathy and kindness, anchored by Quaker values, the guiding principles of the Black Lives Matter movement, and mindfulness practice, with a lens of social justice and equity. The authors weave real stories and reflections as they trace the learning journey of children in their program from toddlers through the time they leave for kindergarten.Magy's story of Frank the Fish opens up the world of toddlers who not only learn how to care for their classroom pet but also naturally build and display empathy as they come to understand disability.Makai highlights empathy as the first and foundational Black Lives Matter guiding principle. Using children's literature, her students develop a deeper perspective into social-emotional learning beyond “being nice.”In her work with the oldest preschoolers, Sabina shares in her story of the many ways she focuses on perspective taking with her group, including stories of buddy play, heartful listening, holding space, and cognitive flexibility.The three educators with mentor Jacky reflect on their experiences together as they exercise the empathy and perspective-taking we ask children to practice.

Ecopedagogies showcases a range of creative approaches that educators across multiple disciplines use to empower students to access and engage with nature, an increasingly important consideration in a post-COVID world in environmental crisis.The volume includes chapters written by scholars from the environmental arts and humanities, literature, writing studies, rhetoric, music, religious studies, environmental studies and sustainability, sociology and anthropology, physical education, and outdoor education. Each author walks the reader through the details of how their ecopedagogy works, identifies potential challenges while also detailing how to address them, and explains the rewards to students, instructors, and more-than-human nature that they have witnessed through the use of these approaches. The contributions represent diverse types of academic institutions, offering broad applicability to instructors, including community colleges, private liberal arts colleges, and large state, regional, public, and private universities. The book explores a series of key questions about how educators can facilitate meaningful learning experiences with the natural world, inside and outside the classroom, and it looks at how to foster inclusivity, navigate problems with access, and explore intersections with environmental justice.As a practical guide, the book delivers a well-provisioned toolbox containing exercises, activity guides, and assignments for those teaching environmentally focused college courses.

Discussions on the importance and impact of pedagogical practice on students as whole persons are often concentrated on the P-12 or undergraduate learning experience. In higher education, many institutions do an outstanding job of complicating the undergraduate classroom to include civic engagement, community-based learning, education abroad, social action, and project-based learning. But, what about the graduate classroom? While there are indeed numerous graduate programs that push students to interact with strong, meaningful, difficult, and sometimes harsh facts, scholarship, and ideologies, the instructional methods have largely remained stagnant. New methods of constructing deep and meaningful learning in graduate education is essential for the transformation and continued evolution of graduate school instruction. Reshaping Graduate Education Through Innovation and Experiential Learning is a crucial reference book that offers practice-based reflections on efforts to infuse creativity, social action, engaged learning, or other creative interventions into the graduate classroom. The book includes personal narratives that are grounded in pedagogical perspectives from graduate school instructors who share their experiences with innovative and transformative teaching practices. The goal of the book is to encourage graduate school professors to engage social justice education as something to be experienced and practiced in their courses and not just as a concept to be studied. As such, the book covers topics such as self-directed learning, counseling, and community mapping. It is ideal for graduate-level instructors in the field of education and other related social science areas, as well as junior faculty as they establish a teaching practice or veteran faculty seeking creative transformation.

The purpose of this text is to elicit discussion, reflection, and action specific to pedagogy within education, especially higher education, and circles of experiential learning, community organizing, conflict resolution and youth empowerment work. Vulnerability itself is not a new term within education; however the pedagogical imperatives of vulnerability are both undertheorized in educational discourse and underexplored in practice. This work builds on that of Edward Brantmeier in Re-Envisioning Higher Education: Embodied Pathways to Wisdom and Transformation (Lin, Oxford, & Brantmeier, 2013). In his chapter, “Pedagogy of vulnerability: Definitions, assumptions, and application,” he outlines a set of assumptions about the term, clarifying for his readers the complicated, risky, reciprocal, and purposeful nature of vulnerability, particularly within educational settings. Creating spaces of risk taking, and consistent mutual, critical engagement are challenging at a moment in history where neoliberal forces impact so many realms of formal teaching and learning. Within this context, the divide between what educators, be they in a classroom or a community, imagine as possible and their ability to implement these kinds of pedagogical possibilities is an urgent conundrum worth exploring. We must consider how to address these disconnects; advocating and envisioning a more holistic, healthy, forward thinking model of teaching and learning. How do we create cultures of engaged inquiry, framed in vulnerability, where educators and students are compelled to ask questions just beyond their grasp? How can we all be better equipped to ask and answer big, beautiful, bold, even uncomfortable questions that fuel the heart of inquiry and perhaps, just maybe, lead to a more peaceful and just world? A collection of reflections, case studies, and research focused on the pedagogy of vulnerability is a starting point for this work. The book itself is meant to be an example of pedagogical vulnerability, wherein the authors work to explicate the most intimate and delicate aspects of the varied pedagogical journeys, understandings rooted in vulnerability, and those of their students, colleagues, clients, even adversaries. It is a work that “holds space.”

Teacher candidates need authentic practice with language learners so that they can test and hone their skills based on the concepts learned in their teacher education programs with real students. These candidates need practice before and beyond student teaching and fieldwork. If they are given the chance to practice during as many teacher education courses as possible and have access to language learners throughout their programs, they can focus on applying the specific content of each class they take in a real-world context with real students. Engaging Teacher Candidates and Language Learners With Authentic Practice highlights strategies teacher educators can use to give their teacher candidates authentic practice attached to coursework. By focusing on ways that authentic practice has been integrated into teacher preparation programs and studies that have been realized, this publication will provide practical ways for others to provide this authentic practice, which is much needed in teacher preparation programs. This book highlights topics such as pedagogy, student engagement, and intercultural competence and is ideal for educators, administrators, researchers, and students.

Kinderen spelen graag. Spel is een onlosmakelijk deel van hun leven en het is van grote waarde voor leren en ontwikkeling, óók op school! Dit boek geeft leerkrachten (in opleiding) inzicht in de meerwaarde van spel voor het leren en de ontwikkeling van alle kinderen op de basisschool. Spelactiviteiten geven kinderen de mogelijkheid om vanuit betrokkenheid en met een bepaalde mate van vrijheid steeds meer volgens regels te handelen. Spel kan veel verschillende vormen hebben, zoals rollenspel, buitenspel, sport of onderzoek als spel. Zo kan spel binnen allerlei vakgebieden ingezet worden, zoals bij rekenen, taal, geschiedenis, muziek en bewegen. Leerkrachten zorgen ervoor dat spelactiviteiten meerwaarde krijgen voor de ontwikkeling van kinderen. De leerkracht denkt vooraf na over de inrichting van de ruimte, speelt mee, doet handelingen voor, voert goede gesprekken en reflecteert en evalueert, ook samen met de kinderen. Dit boek geeft een mooi beeld van spel binnen verschillende vakgebieden in zowel onder- als bovenbouw. De achterliggende theoretische visie op spel en concrete invullingen daarvan komen uitgebreid aan bod. Er zijn diverse inspirerende voorbeelden opgenomen die laten zien hoe (aankomende) leerkrachten ontwikkelingsgerichte spelactiviteiten met succes kunnen inzetten in de klas.

Emphasising the importance of continuity for young children, The Outdoor Classroom Ages 3–7 practically demonstrates how early years settings and schools can maximise the learning potential of the outdoor environment. Fully updated to take into account the revised EYFS and Key Stage 1 curricula and including new case studies throughout, this second edition encourages teachers and practitioners to examine and reflect on their use of the outside area to ensure they provide rich play opportunities for children that will further their learning regardless of time, space or financial restraints.Drawing on the Forest School approach, this handy text considers the practical implications for settings using the outdoor classroom and covers: the characteristics of effective learning outdoors; guidance on timetabling and planning; advice on the logistics and health and safety involved; tips for navigating parental and staff opposition; closely linked theory and practice to assessment; the social and emotional aspects of learning. Full of resources, lesson plans and activities to support rich learning opportunities, this book will inspire you to think creatively about the outside area and use its full potential to bring the outdoors alive with interest, exploration and challenge.

This collection of essays by Foxfire practitioners represents the wide range of adaptations by educators of the pedagogical orientation of the Foxfire Magazine and Foxfire Programs for Teachers. Former students in the magazine class at Rabun County High School share the continuing impact of that experience on their lives, including a former student who is pioneering the magazine project with her sixth grade class. An early childhood teacher make a passionate, articulate case for instruction guided by the Foxfire Core Practices. And a former school administrator shares his experiences as guidance to current school administrators in enabling then supporting teachers to implement instruction guided by Foxfire's Core Practices. Participants in Foxfire's Program for Teachers, from early childhood teachers to college professors, describe their adaptations of the Foxfire Approach for instruction at all grade levels, all subjects and all demographics—including how they coped with the challenges they faced. One practitioner describes how she used the Core Practices to design instruction in rural China. We have an engaging essay focused on our summer courses for teachers, based on extensive observations and interview of participants attending those courses. Several essays explore the pedagogical roots of the Foxfire Approach, as well as its value in providing instruction today which engages the students in the content and results in durable learning. Readers can read straight through the book, beginning with a short historical introductory essay, or skip around to topics of interest to assemble an informed assessment of the potential of the Foxfire Approach.

Cet ouvrage apporte un regard neuf sur les stratégies pédagogiques et didactiques suscitant l'apprentissage significatif. Promouvoir cet apprentissage, c'est faire de l'école le temple des savoirs et savoir-faire ; les jeunes y entreront pour en ressortir transformés, capables d'exploiter leurs ressources cognitives pour accomplir avec dextérité les responsabilités que leur assignera la société.

Learn what to do when your students'feet just can't keep still.If you have had enough of repeating yourself to students who aren't listening, try a little less talk and a lot more action. The authors of Active Lessons for Active Brains have assembled an indispensable, ready-to-use collection of mathematics, language arts, science, and classroom management strategies to focus a classroom full of energetic minds. Designed for active, hands-on learners—whether male or female—the text provides more than 70 specific lesson plans for addressing students'common challenges, already differentiated to match their experiential learning style.The many benefits of using this book include:• A more orderly classroom• Enhanced capacity to focus on tasks• Improved retention of subject matter• Increased student engagementThis book contains a wealth of examples, visuals, and material that can be easily reproduced in the classroom. Suitable for upper elementary to high school students, lesson plans can be readily adapted to suit any curriculum.

Create an outdoor learning programTransform outdoor spaces into learning environments where children can enjoy a full range of activities as they spend quality time in nature. This book is filled with guidance to help you plan, design, and create an outdoor learning program that is a rich, thoughtfully equipped, natural extension of your indoor curriculum. Loaded with practical and creative ideas, it also includes information to help youUnderstand how outdoor classrooms benefits children's learning and developmentCollaborate with other teachers, administrators, and families to make your outdoor classroom a realityCreate development and action plans to strategize and implement changesEvaluate your outdoor environment, program, and practices Cultivating Outdoor Classrooms promotes the idea that if you can do it indoors, you can probably do it outside as well.Eric Nelson is the founder and director of Child Care Planning Associates, the consulting and training division of the Child Educational Center, Caltech/JPL Community, which he established with his wife in 1979. Eric's consulting specialties include building and playground design and renovation, child care needs assessment and feasibility studies, development of employer-related child care, and staff training and development. Eric's understanding of the value of the outdoors is grounded in a lifetime of hiking his beloved Sierra Nevada Mountains in California since he was a young child.

The outdoor area is now an integral part of many early years settings and schools, but is it being used to its full potential? This book clearly explains the learning potential of the outdoor environment and practically demonstrates how the ‘Outdoor Classroom'can be developed in early years settings and schools. Drawing on the Forest School approach, it aims to inspire practitioners to think creatively about their outside area and how they can provide rich play opportunities for children that will further their learning regardless of any time, space or financial restraints. Emphasising the importance of continuity for young children, the book shows how good practice in the early years can be built on in Reception and Key Stage 1 and covers: What is the outdoor classroom and how does it enhance children's learning? How experiences in the Outdoor Classroom can support the early years and Key Stage 1 curricula The implications for schools using the outdoor classroom including resources, timetabling, space, parental and staff opposition Guidance on planning Activities and ideas for using the Outdoor Classroom Including practical examples and detailed case studies taken from a wide range of settings and schools, this handy text will help you to get the most out of your outside area.

Now in its second edition, Teaching and Learning through Reflective Practice is a practical guide to enable all those involved in educational activities to learn through the practices of reflection. The book highlights the power that those responsible for teaching and learning have to appraise, understand and positively transform their teaching. Seeing the teacher as a reflective learner, the book emphasises a strengths-based approach in which positivity, resilience, optimism and high performance can help invigorate teaching, enhance learning and allow the teacher to reach their full potential. This approach busts the myth that reflection on problems and deficits is the only way to better performance.The approach of this new edition is an ‘appreciative'one. At its heart is the exploration and illustration of four reflective questions: What's working well? What needs changing? What are we learning? Where do we go from here? With examples drawn from UK primary teacher education, the book reveals how appreciative reflective conversations can be initiated and sustained. It also sets out a range of practical processes for amplifying success. This book will be a must have for undergraduate and PGCE students on initial teacher training programmes. It will also interest practising teachers, teacher educators and those on continuing professional development courses.

'Active Lessons for Active Brains is a valuable resource for teachers in any content area and at any grade level.'—David Chadwell, Coordinator, Single-Gender Initiatives, Office of Public School Choice and Innovation, South Carolina Department of Education, Columbia, SC'This book′s lessons will help students develop into active learners and move from a teacher-directed classroom to one of student engagement, inquiry and critical thinking.'—Jay Greytok, Head of Middle SchoolThe Haverford School, PAWhat to do when their feet just can′t keep stillIf you′re tired of repeating yourself to students who aren′t listening, try a little less talk and a lot more action. The authors follow the best-selling Teaching the Male Brain and Teaching the Female Brain with this ready-to-use collection of mathematics, language arts, science, and classroom management strategies. Designed for active, hands-on learners—whether male or female—the text provides more than 70 specific lesson plans for addressing students′ common challenges, already differentiated to match their experiential learning style. The many benefits include:Increased student engagementImproved retention of subject matterEnhanced capacity to focus on tasksA more orderly classroomThis resource contains a wealth of examples, visuals, and material that can be easily reproduced in the classroom. Suitable for upper elementary to high school students, lesson plans can be readily adapted to suit your curriculum. If you′re ready for a solution that works, dive into this book and get moving!