Over the next month Wood N Barnes Publishing Company is offering a series of excerpts from my new book that combine research and educational theory with practical strategies to increase engagement. The first lays a foundation for upcoming articles and activities by exploring What is...
Inspired Educator Inspired Learner: Experiential, Brain-Based Activities and Strategies to Engage, Motivate, Build Community, and Create Lasting Lessons I am thrilled to announce the release of my new book Inspired Educator, Inspired Learner published by Wood 'N' Barnes Publishing Company. The book explores experiential, brain-based techniques...
Excerpt from the new book: Inspired Educator, Inspired Learner Play Dough Pictionary is one of my favorite community building and academic review activities. One of the reasons it stays on the top of my list is that it has led to many meaningful discussions about creativity....
Excerpt from the soon to be released Inspired Educator, Inspired Learner book: Purpose/Focus: active engagement, hook, introducing a topic, “first five” or “do now,” context setting, conversation starter, reflection, discussion or writing prompt, emotional connection to learning, differentiation, formative assessment, community building, transition Quotes are an engaging...
Purpose/Focus: active engagement, hook, context setting, discussion or writing prompt, “first five” or “do now,” welcoming ritual, conversation starter, reflection, community building, figurative language, metaphor, emotional connection to learning, differentiation, 21st century skills, creativity/imagination, choice, control and ownership, multiple pathways to learning, group norms Materials: a...
[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Excerpt from the Inspired Educator, Inspired Learner book by Jennifer Stanchfield People are drawn in by colorful, novel, or intriguing objects whether they are tools, old toys, or items found in nature. People often share and reflect more readily...
It's that time of year again! Schools, and colleges are kicking off their programs with community building and goal setting sessions. Draw Your School or Workplace is a strategy I've used with programs of all kinds to initiate reflection and conversation on creating a positive...
Many of the inspired educators that I work with have shared variations of this playful party game for active review and formative assessment in the classroom or training sessions. Similarly to Play Dough Pictionary and Charades Race “Bag of Nouns” doubles as a playful group...
There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the positive impact of exercise on brain development and function – and therefore memory and learning throughout life. Exercise has the long-term effect of improving blood flow thereby improving the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the...
This time of year I find myself facilitating vision and goal setting retreats, training programs and project oriented planning meetings with many schools and organizations. Time and time again I find the "Gallery Walk" activity a useful tool when I want to gather information on...
This post was originally published in March of 2013. As the school year comes to a close I have been using this technique quite a bit with great success. I am posting this article again as a reminder to educators and group facilitators looking to...
This time of year I find myself facilitating a number of student team-building programs, "step up" days where students visit their new school and new classmates for the first time, field days, and camp trainings. The advisory leaders I work with often ask for activities...
One of the tenets of experiential education is that people learn best when they perceive a sense of control, and have choice and ownership in their learning experiences. Think about creating opportunities that build this sense of choice and control for participants or students from...
This evening as I sit cutting out quotes with "new year" and "new beginnings" themes in preparation for some upcoming workshops, I have been reflecting on the power of strong beginnings. Here is an excerpt from my upcoming book Inspired Educator, Inspired Learner that explores this...
A century ago, John Dewey emphasized the importance of engaging learners in reflection. He believed that our experiences shape us, and when reflective practice is part of the learning, meaning and relevancy is created, initiating further growth and change (Dewey, 1933). Reflection is a key...
Reflection brings learning to life. Reflective practice helps learners find relevancy and meaning in a lesson and make connections between educational experiences and real life situations, increases insight, and creates pathways to future learning....
The art of teaching and group facilitation requires a careful balance of challenge, observation, encouragement, guidance, and the ability to know when to step in to help learners, and when to step back and let them learn through struggling with a problem. Sometimes educators have...
In today's post, I offer another activity that is useful for exploring how complicated communication can be, and how miscommunication arises. This activity is sure to initiate meaningful reflection and dialogue with the groups you work with....