There are a number of movements in education that strive to help educators create a more student centered learning environment. You might like to consider Global School Play Day, No Worksheet Week, or Global Day of Design in your planning over the next few months.
The third Global School Play Day (GSPD) is scheduled for Wednesday, February 1st. Inspired by Dr. Peter Gray’s TEDx Talk, the founders of GSPD believe, “Unstructured play is a vital part of proper child development!” and advocate that we give the “gift of play” to students one day each year. It’s easy to participate. Just tell your students to bring anything they wish to play with to school on Wednesday, February 1st. The only restriction is they must only bring toys and games that DO NOT require batteries or electricity. Then, on February 1st, allow your students to spread toys out around the room or take the kids outside and just PLAY!
Also in its third year, No Worksheet Week, scheduled for February 27th to March 3rd, began with a blog post. Believing that students learn more through creating, communicating, critical thinking and collaborating, this movement’s goal is to get students to discover answers and share ideas. A week is a huge commitment. Beginning by trying a day of no worksheets might be easier than you might have imagined. Ideas range from student led edcamp-style discussions, to Mystery Google Hangout, or giving students passion-project/Genius hour time. Still need a nudge? This video shows you why encouraging students’ creative thinking is important.
Global Day of Design, planned for May 2nd, focuses on the design thinking process. The website has Maker Projects and Design Challenges,many from Stanford's D.School, to help you and your students prepare for the day’s special 24 hour challenge. Want to learn more about how the design thinking process works? Watch this video by John Spencer, to see how he thinks about using the design thinking process with students.
Upcoming PD
We are so fortunate to live in an area with so much going on in education. Here are a few upcoming local (many free) events you might like to know about.
Date
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Event
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Sat., Jan. 21, 2017
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Sat., Jan 21, 2017
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Sat., Jan 21, 2017
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Sat., Jan. 28, 2017
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Sat., Feb. 11, 2017
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Sat., Feb 25, 2017
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Sat., Feb 25, 2017 (tentative)
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Sat., Feb 25, 2017
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Sat., March 4, 2017 (held at UMS)
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SVCUE Teach Through Technology Event
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Sat., April 22, 2017 (held at UMS)
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Sat., April 29, 2017
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