Posts in Education Transformation

Free Lessons Available in Social Emotional Learning for Children.. Every lesson has an affirmation that students can memorize to remind themselves of their ability to influence themselves and others in positive ways.

Education Strategies, Education Transformation, Deep Learning at HomeCreative Education In ActionNovember 29, 2020Social and Emotional Learning, SEL, Deep Learning at Home, CODVID-19, Self-Isolation, Social-Distancing, Free LessonsComment

In Honour of Sir Ken Robinson: Creativity is Key to Learning

Sir Ken Robinson, you will be sorely missed. Sir Ken Robinson, may you continue to be a great source of encouragement for all of us as educators and teacher trainers who aspire to find innovative ways to teach the whole child.

Education Transformation, DiscussionCreative Education In ActionAugust 24, 2020Sir Ken Robinson, Creativity, Key to Learning, self-expression, Discussion Comment

Building a Culture of Connectedness

In the same way that the soil has to be rich and fertile to grow into strong, healthy plants, so do the relationships in students’ lives need to be fertile to raise strong, contributing human beings in society. It is critical to have relationships that work inside and outside of school. Administrators and teachers, caretakers and teachers, caretakers and students, parents and staff are all critical for nurturing young minds and setting examples.

Education TransformationMargaret BoersmaMay 15, 2020Teachers Matter, Culture of Connectedness, Make it Right Formula, Through Your Lenses, SEL, Social and Emotional Learning, social/emotional learning focusComment

Your ACCESS to "Deep Learning at Home"

Learn how the Deep Learning at Home series intentionally teaches social and emotional skills and character development through the arts. Know how each lesson can stimulate family or group discussion. Integrate the affirmation in each lesson and create precious moments during this time of change.

Education Strategies, Education Transformation, Deep Learning at HomeCreative Education In ActionMay 9, 2020Social and Emotional Learning, SEL, Deep Learning at Home, CODVID-19, Self-Isolation, Social-Distancing, Free LessonsComment

Teaching in the Netherlands (Part II of II)

The students wanted to learn some English so, my colleague, who did not speak Dutch, did a great job teaching choreography for “Wavin Flag.” And the students learned to sing the chorus, which they loved. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Skills, such as Making Decisions, is Best Learned, Retained and Transferred to Life by Living Inside a Story.

Education Strategies, Education TransformationCreative Education In ActionMay 6, 2020Model Communication Skills, Social and Emotional Learning, SEL, Interviewing Skills, ReflectionComment

Creating a Safe Learning Environment with Your Class

After teaching a grade 6 class for half an hour, Josh approaches me with tears in his eyes. “Ms. Boersma, none of the kids like me. No one wants to work with me. The other boys always ignore me.” I notice many of the girls are quiet, and many of the boys are trying to fit in. The same few people are participating in class discussions. The students freely participate in “side conversations” and giggling at inappropriate times. They are not bad students. They just have a bad habit.

Education Strategies, Education TransformationCreative Education In ActionMarch 13, 2020Safe Learning Environment, Social and Emotional Learning, SEL, Make it Right Formula Comments

Teaching in the Netherlands (Part I of II)

Co-teaching with the homeroom teachers brings out the most in the students. Teachers and students alike constantly switch in and out of role reflecting on how the story we are creating together is like real life. The discussions are often deep. Students learn to take responsibility for the way they are being so they can do what is expected (success criteria) so they can have the results from their hard work.

Education Transformation, Education StrategiesCreative Education In ActionMarch 11, 2020Model being a learner, Learning from elderly, Social and Emotional Learning, SEL, learning game, modern learningComment

Finding Gems in the Midst of Adversity

With teacher strikes looming all around us, are you able to find something great? As an adult, I am always learning. Here is my experience in a recent adventure. I hope it encourages you in your learning. Life is an adventure. I feel that I am at the peak of my career, and I want to make a significant contribution to society. So, off to New Zealand, we go to see the country the way the tourists do, travelling in a camper van. It is a fantastic experience that allows us to see this spectacular country and experience many highlights…

Education Strategies, Education TransformationCreative Education In ActionFebruary 27, 2020Social and Emotional Learning, City of Calgary Teachers Convention, Searching for Gems, WorkshopComment

Dec 2, 2021

Us and Them

Analogical Problem-Solving ™ is what I call teaching by living inside a story such as the Us and Them unit. Students have agency/voice to make decisions inside their class story, an analogy of life. As teachers, we carefully follow their suggestions and integrate lessons as we plan strategies that allow them to discover their learning. Students learn real-life lessons without real-life consequences. They realize at a profound level that we have so much in common. We are all connected. Ultimately the students decide war is not worth the enormous human cost. And they internalize that we are all part of the human race.

Nov 21, 2021

The Dynamic Teaching Model

For years we thought the primary emphasis in school should be to teach digital technology to our students. The Information Era would solve everything! Mind you, tech skills are absolutely essential. But, this emphasis, at the exclusion of something else, has placed a couple of generations at a major disadvantage! How do you say? Let’s explore in our latest SEL Blog below where Margaret Boersma, an instructional coach and education consultant, writes about the importance of emotional well-being in classrooms. #SocialEmotionalLearning

Jul 8, 2021

Communication is a Life Skill Most Kids Don’t Master

When students have the opportunity to defend their point of view or articulate their ideas more fully, I often become aware of their inability to communicate. Even with ample “wait time,” they stammer, can’t find the words or don’t express their ideas in full. The listener is left guessing at the meaning and several exchanges are needed to clarify rather simple thoughts.

May 16, 2021

Essential Workers: Thinking about Social Class Inequity and Education

Andy Hargreaves suggests in Canada we have an unspoken culture of social class in which diversity issues are not addressed. When rethinking schools, he says, “We must teach working-class identity as history and culture of pride involving the dignity of labour, solidarity with one’s fellows, the value of hard work, and the importance of self-improvement. [We must] rethink everything [we] do on social class lines, as much as [we] have in relation to all other aspects of diversity.”

Nov 29, 2020

Oct 22, 2019

Empathy Training and SEL, the Keys to Thriving

Having just returned from an exhilarating international conference, 2019 SEL Exchange, I am excited to share. “Defining Quality in the Context of Innovation” was the focus of the conference hosted by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), the best place to get resources and information about Social and Emotional Learning (SEL).

Sep 26, 2019

How Do We Support Students Who Lose Control?

As teachers and administrators, we experience these kinds of interactions more often. Doing our best to be equitable, we can still be misunderstood. Our goal is to move our students forward so they can reach their fullest potential. And yet, we are often at a loss as to how to make that happen.

Jun 11, 2019

Building Tools in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) for Educators

Sometimes we try so hard to ‘work on our relationships’ by doing thoughtful favours, giving gifts or helping out in practical ways and still…it will come out that something is not perfect about the way we are being perceived by that person. We will have a better-quality life if we take responsibility for everything…even if we feel that only a smidgen is really our responsibility. Consider, that there may be, even a small amount, of truth to the comment. Consider, there is an unresolved issue from the past that keeps these thoughts and comments alive. Consider, that taking responsibility brings us freedom.

May 10, 2019

Encouraging Student Voice in the Classroom

While examining the plight of modern refugees by living inside a story, students reflect on their own journeys and those of “change” in their families. This inquiry-based learning unit is a model for deepening understanding and social/emotional learning with themes of equity, inclusion and well-being. Students experience learning in "first person" as they build empathy, compassion and a growth mindset. Personal well-being is nurtured through immersion in the arts. Storytelling, drama, dance and visual arts are central to this cross-curricular unit. As well, Language Arts, Current Affairs and Social Studies expectations are integrated in the work.

Apr 18, 2019

7 Steps to Teach Responsibility

How do we teach RESPONSIBILITY? As teachers, we often complain about students who do not take responsibility for their learning. It seems difficult for them to make good choices e.g. as to where they sit and they have a bad habit of side conversations. We worry about these students and their progress. As teachers, we work very hard to make lessons compelling and spend time scaffolding and planning. And sometimes it seems we work harder than our students! We sometimes say to ourselves at points of frustration, “Well, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” What if there was a way to teach responsibility?

Feb 5, 2019

Working with Values of Indigenous People

In this unit: game, writing, dance, drama; Grades 2-adult. Resource: “We are the Earth” by Bobbie Kalma Cooperative Game: Atom – One Teapot: 1 chief, 2 eagle, 3 whale, 4 grizzly bear. Information: Read and discuss pages 16 – 19 of “We are the Earth” by Bobbie Kalman. Minds On: Creative Movement: In a circle, body-storm ,the grizzly bear on the land, whale in the water, eagle in the air and fire in the forest.

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