#we had to discuss how improv and play acting benefit language teaching and learning

[salvadorbonaparte]

I had to do improv theatre games with my colleagues and my boss today and I wasn't bad at it. when will I be hired by dropout

[gon-and-killuas-mother]

Yesterday I did something groundbreaking for the state of Arkansas and for queer and trans folks that live here!!!

I was hired for contract work at UAMS, our single medical university in the entire state, for patient simulation. At first I assumed it was gonna be the usual patient sims, like I'd act as someone with a specific injury or illness etc etc

But about a month after I was hired, a group zoom meeting was scheduled so the project manager could introduce everyone involved, including the others hired with me. And it was revealed that this patient simulation was different, actually it was completely new.

We were given the honor of being the first queer and/or trans people to participate in the first LGBTQIA+ focused patient simulation in Arkansan history

It's a known thing for queers to experience discrimination in hospitals; from being barred from visiting your partner, to being misgendered, and to receiving outright abuse from those who are supposed to help you. Lots of queers and trans folk have a chronic avoidance of doctors even today (especially today)

One of the project leaders, a gay recent med school graduate, had moved to New York, where he was helping build a queer-centered clinic. He'd talked about there were a few states taking these steps already, but UAMS had absolutely zero education regarding queer people.

So what part did I play?

My "role" was Taylor Nichols, a trans man looking for a primary care provider. I was to be seen by two students, who had to get my sexual history and learn how to approach a queer patient.

One student grasped it pretty easily and was charismatic enough to join me when I joked about whatever. She kinda led the charge in asking me questions about my sex life, despite any discomfort.

The other student looked so nervous/uncomfortable that she almost seemed ill. I'm giving her the benefit of doubt here mostly, but her expression gave me the sense that either she'd never encountered a trans person before (at least an OPENLY trans person) or she had something resembling a conservatives views of gender. I refuse to assume "bigot" but I tried making eye contact with her a couple times and she looked away each time with a frown.

After the simulation, we all adjourned to debrief with the other groups and the project leaders to discuss how it went and what to improve on. Here is where I felt something truly important happening. I sat up front with my coworkers (an older black gay man that I'll call Joe and a gender fluid high-schooler named Bee with their mom) and helped praise the students for their accomplishments

Joe also went on a longer speech to explain to the students about respecting your fellow humans and how even one disrespectful doctor can ruin someone's experience with medical care. I hadn't thought that we could talk about that kind of stuff, but these were all straight cisgender students and it was a teaching opportunity.

So I added on a few things. I told them to focus less on being inoffensive, though we appreciated that a lot, and focus more on the fact that queer/trans people are actually afraid of doctors. I told them there were no offensive questions they could ask me, unless they were intentionally being disrespectful.

I also said, "If you ask me questions about my gender/sexuality with the understanding that you do not understand and want to know more, it tells me two things.

"One: the moment you ask the question with a genuine interest in learning, you immediately become someone safe to talk to. Most queer people I know can tell the difference, just from tone and body language, between an asshole and someone who simply doesn't understand. And an asshole typically doesn't want to know what my pronouns are.

"Two: the questions you ask tell me how much you already know and how far I can meet you in the middle. It opens up a discussion that I am constantly afraid of starting with new people. You've likely already met many trans people in your life, but never knew because that discussion is considered taboo.

"So please, ask us questions. We come to clinics assuming the worst case scenario of a bigoted doctor, and I tend to pretend to be a girl just to get the visit over with. But every time a doctor asks my pronouns, I am so much more likely to come back."

It's still processing that I actually helped educate medical students, and I was the first nonbinary person to participate in a queer-centered patient simulation to get the ball rolling for further queer education in medical studies in our entire fucking state

Take that you fucking legislators! Queer people are LOVED in this state and you can't take that from us. And now, despite everything, even the medical students will have a much more diverse education and go on to be compassionate nurses and doctors to folks of any gender or sexuality.

[butter-egg-toast]

YouTuber Girlfriend ▶️

I got a bunch of requests for this one. . 👍

Requested by @dragonwolfs

Long post be prepared.

I'm so sorry I couldn't think of Albert, Kadea, and Aii

Enjoy 🤗

Haru: 🎨

🌙You're a mix media ArtYouTuber.

🌙You do various art forms like painting sculpture, Ink art, ceramics, etc.

🌙You're usually not on Camara, most of your videos are focused on your art work.

🌙On some occasions Haru would draws something for you

🎨" Look (y/n), it's a Mackerel sculpture"-Haru

🌙 Haru gives art tips on the channel for beginners.

🎨"Art and swimming are similar...just go with the flow"-Haru

🌙He goes shopping with you for art supplies.

🎨" We literally only bought 4 items and it came to 40 dollars?!-Haru

🌙You and Haru did a couple of drawing challenges like:

Draw with left hand challenge,

Draw each other challenge

Draw with your eyes closed challenge

🌙At the end of the day Haru secretly enjoy making art with you.

🌙You have a simple following of 50k

Channel name: HoneycombArts.

Matoko: 🐱

🌙You're an animal YouTuber

🌙You work at a pet adoption center. So you encounter different types animals like:

Cats, dog, rabbits, birds, and many more

🌙You invited Matoko to help you with the feral kittens and cats; immediately after hissing at you and the other employees they warm up to Matoko.

🐱"Wow.. they really love me!"-Matoko

😸" Woah Her fur is so fuffy and pretty"-Matoko

🌙You give tips about properly taking care of animals.

🌙Matoko usually not on Camara that much (he's kinda shy)

🌙But when he is on Camara, The videos with the most views are usually with Matoko washing kittens.

🐱"You want to make sure the kitty is calm and not scared of you. Make sure you talk to them to calm them."-Makoto

🐱"Its okay little guy, you're gonna be a nice and clean kitty"-Makoto

🌙 You have a simple following 80k

Channel name: PreciousPets

Nagisa: 🎬

🌙You're a movie/TV show commentator. Comedy skits, you comment on badly movie reviews or simple commentary.

🌙You and Nagisa something reenact scenes from movies and TV shows.

🎬" Oi!!! Look at me when I'm talking to you *bad acting*" -Nagisa

🌙Nagisa cant get his lines right and he always laugh. That's what makes it charming.

🎬" Dont go...I..ummm... *laugh* I forgot (y/n) chan.. what's the line again?"-Nagisa.

🌙Sometimes there are cheesy skits you do together for fun.

🌙 there are some occasions were both of you and Nagisa forgot your lines and you both had to improv.

🎬" Noooooo... how.. could you betray me? Nagisa fell to his knees. "Well...you shouldn't have took my... taco.." trying your best to hold in your laughter. Nagisa confused at your choice of words. "Eh?..."-Nagisa

🌙He Loves being on Camara most of the time

You have a simple following 50k to 80k

Channel name: Tomatometer

Rei: 📘

🌙You're a History YouTuber. Educational videos, learning , science, and technology

🌙 You go over the latest new technology and you have sponsors that send you laptops and phones

🌙You have a mini segment were Rei goes over interesting fun science facts

📘"The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue"-Rei

📘" People who speak two languages may unconsciously shift their personalities when they switch from one language to another.

🌙 You and Rei do a myth busting, where you answer questions from viewers.

🌙There was even a time were you both performed a chemistry experiment that failed.

📘" *cough * see this is why its important to have safety precautions"-Rei

You have a simple following of 50k to 60k

Channel name: Learn Something Today

Rin: 🛠

🌙You're a DIY YouTuber, building and create easy life hacks

🌙You build random projects you find on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or viewers suggestion

🛠" (y/n)? That a cool sculpture"-Rin

🌙Rin is never in your videos. The only time he showed his face is when you both did a challenge together.

🛠" Woah!! This looks complicated. But nothing's too complicated for me. What do we need ,(y/n)?"-Rin

🌙Rin sometimes goes shopping with you to find your supplies.

🛠 "Huh?! This is a lot of wood (y/n), what are you making today?"-Rin

🛠" what type of wood you need?"-Rin

🌙You sometimes give away or sell your projects depending on the occasion.

🌙Rin helps with your projects on his day off, because he's curious how the project will turn out.

You have a simple following of 80k

Channel name: Fix it Make it

Souskue: 🥙

🌙You're a cooking Youtuber

🌙Sousuke something does voice overs talking about cooking traditional Japanese food and giving cooking tips.

🥙" Okonomiyaki is a simple pancake that is cook with cabbage."-Souskue

🌙People always send you emails asking to show your boyfriends face because they love his voice so much.

🥙" They really like me? I dont think my sounds like honey"-Souskue

🌙You sometimes do food challenge and completions with your friends and Souskue. (Souskue always win)

🌙You make a variety foods all over the world

🥙"Can you cook pork cutlets?"-Souskue

🌙The meals you and Souskue cook, you both give to homeless shelters and orphanages.

🌙Every special occasion you bake a themed caked.

🥙"Is that a shark?! How did you make this?!"-Sousuke

You have a simple following of 70k

Channel name: Cookie dough gummies

Momo: 🎮

🌙You're a Gaming YouTuber

🌙You play a wide variety of games like horror, dating Sims, action,Platformers, 3D, and many more

🌙Multiplayer with all your friends (Among us)

🌙Momo definitely loves playing adventures and scifi games with you

🌙Momo likes to bring Puyysuke with him to the gaming sessions.

🎮"Puyysuke is good luck!!"-Momo

🎮"Puyysuke is just as excited as I am with this game. "-Momo

🌙You and momo sometimes compete with each other in fighting and racing games.

🎮"Awwww no fair (y/n) that's cheating !!"-Momo

🎮" Ahhh how you keep winning"-Momo

You have a simple following of 60k

Channel name: Beetle juice

Seijour: 💪

🌙You're a health and fitness Youtuber

🌙Health and fitness tips from professionals and Seijour.

💪"Having a perfect form is the most important and effective way of succeeding"-Seijour

🌙Breaking down the human body to benefit different bodies types.

💪" This exercise plan I used on the samzuka swim team. I guaranteed you will bulk up👍"-Seijour

💪No pain no gain. Keep pushing YOUR ALMOST THERE!!! You can do it!!"-Seijour

🌙 You and Seijour do couples yoga on sundays.

💪"Dont worry (y/n) I got you. Just relax your muscles"-Seijour

You have a simple following 80k

Channel name: You're lifestyle

Kisumi: 💄

🌙You're a beauty YouTuber.

🌙Hes pretty much on your channel 24/7. Everyone loves the both of you.

🌙You do make up challenges, skin care tips, and themed make up looks.

💄"Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid are the best together on your skin"-Kisumi

🌙 You and kisumi have challenges where you do each other's makeup.

💄" Eh? I used the wrong color?! Haha sorry "-Kisumi

💄"I hope I'm not too rough with your face. Let me know."-Kisumi

🌙Kisumi did a voice over on one of your tutorials twice.

💄" Now shes applying blush on...oohhwow that's a cute shade on her..its really cute (y/n)"-Kisumi

💄" wow that makes (y/n) eyes pop!"-Kisumi

🌙Kisumi loves to do seasonal makeup tutorials with you.

🌙He even let you do some makeup on him.

💄" Woah I look like a kpop male idol! How did you did that??!"-Kisumi

You have a simple following of 90k

Channel name: Velvet lips

Asahi: 🔎

🌙You're a Horror theme YouTuber

🌙Discuss Mysteries and Paranormal activity all over the world, Unsolved crimes. Mysteries death and conspiracies theories

🔎"That's interesting.. has the crime been solved?"-Asahi.

🌙Asahi is not into the paranormal because he doesn't believe in it. However, because you like, he's curious about the stuff you talk about.

🔎"wow that monster is 8 foot tall!! And it was seen in Japan??!!"-Asahi

🔎" mmmhh.. that picture is kinda convincing"-Asahi

🌙There was a time where you, Asahi, Hiyori And kisumi went to explore an abandoned house on the countryside that is known for huntings

🔎"oh... (y/n) do you want me to hold your hand if your scared?"-Asahi

🔎"huh? That noise? It may have been a rat"-Asahi

You have a simple following of 70k

Channel name: Mystery XE

Ikuya:💻

🌙You're a Anmaition Youtuber, sometime you animate your story times and do little funny Anmaition, and music video Anmaition.

*The time I accidentally pranked my teacher story time*

*Middle school experience * story time

*Worst family vacation ever* story time

*Creey encounter at work ft Ikuya* story time

*How I met my boyfriend ft Ikuya* story time

🌙Ikuya something gives you ideas for a Anmaition.

💻"How about do a little mermaid Anmaition?"-Ikuya

💻"This is cute a Anmaition, you think you can teach me how to do it?-Ikuya

🌙 You created a Anmaition for Ikuyas birthday with one of his favorite songs.

💻" I love ever bit of this. You really know what I like"-Ikuya

You have a simple following 60k

Channel name: Ms.Honbuns

Natsuya: 🗺

🌙You're a travel YouTuber/Vlogger

🌙 natsuya is on your channel 24/7

🌙You and natsuya traveled to various locations while site seeing, eating food, meeting local people, learning the language, learning the history, and having fun.

🌙You do 360 VR videos of each country, or city you visit.

🌙Sometimes you both camp and go on hikes.

🗺" ah Its so calming out here in the wild"-Natsuya

🌙Natsuya has his own little segment were you taste different types of beers and wines all over the world

🗺".. woah (y/n) you have to try this. The favor is out of this wolrd!!"-Natsuya

🗺"Where do you want to go for the spring? I was thinking 🇬🇧The UK or 🇲🇽 Italy."-Natsuya

You have a simple following 90k to 1M

Channel name: Lake side view

Nao: 🍀

🌙You're a Garden YouTuber

🌙you give gardening tips

🌙on the weekends nao helps with your garden and maintaining it.

☘"Wow!! (Y/n) your vegetables looks great "-Nao

🌙You harvest and Nao cooks the Vegetables.

🍀"Wow the vegetables this harvest is delicious"-Nao

☘"Next harvest, can we plant watermelons?"-Nao

🌙Time lapse videos of Fruits and vegetables growing and decomposing.

You have a simple following of 50k

Channel name: Growful love

Hiyori: 🛍

🌙You're a Fashion YouTuber

🌙 Discuss the newest trends and unboxing new clothes, shoes and accessories .

🌙Haul videos with Hiyori (sometimes)

🛍" These sweater feels amazing"-Hiyori

🌙You and Hiyori sometimes try on matching clothes.

🛍" Wow! We're definitely a cute couple!-Hiyori

🛍"This is something I'll definitely wear every day "-Hiyori

🌙 Most of your clothes are your choice of style. And Hiyori's is more like dark academia.

🌙 Sewing clothes for you and Hiyori.

🛍"woah!! You made this for me?! Thank you so much"-Hiyori

🌙 And some occasions you guys will go thrift shopping.

You have a simple following of 60k

Channel name: Exclusive Z

[isldfsottschalk-blog]

Ever increasing emphasis on the mental side of golf

Training techniques such as visualization, mental rehearsal, and mental imagery have become common terms on golf courses and used frequently among commentators on television. While many are aware of these mental training techniques, most are unaware that the key ingredient that supercharges these techniques is actually hypnosis. hypnosis The point most often left out of the majority of golf psychology books and discussions about these mental golf training techniques is the relaxed mental state the elite golfers get into before going through these processes.

Hypnosis is the secret ingredient to getting the true benefits of these techniques. Just like mental imagery and visualization, hypnosis is also rooted in science and has proven to be effective in a vast number of research studies including golf performance. This article was written to shed a light a truth on what hypnosis really is. You will discover the science behind hypnosis, what a hypnotist really does to a golfer when hypnotizing them, and what effects hypnosis had on a Senior European Tour player.

To understand how hypnosis works you must first understand a little bit about your brainwaves. Research using an electroencephalography, or EEG, has revealed that the human mind oscillates between 4 predominate brainwaves; beta, alpha, theta, and delta. Beta brainwaves, which are short and fast, occur when you are fully awake and alert. On the opposite end of the spectrum there are delta brainwaves which occur when you are deep asleep and unconscious. In between these two are alpha and theta brainwaves. Alpha brainwaves are associated with relaxed awareness similar to daydreaming or performing in the zone on the golf course. While theta brainwaves are connected with light stages of sleep, deep hypnosis, and meditation. Research has also shown that alpha and theta brainwaves are the ones associated with learning, and the predominate brainwaves we used as children when we achieved big feats of learning like how to speak a language.

Contrary to what Hollywood wants you to think, hypnosis is not some alternate reality a person slips into. EEG research has proven that the electrical currents (brainwaves) in the brain during hypnosis are the same as meditation, deep prayer states, lucid dreaming, and deep relaxation to name a few. All of these natural mental states are the same in their essence which is experiencing alpha and theta brainwaves, but each method achieves these states and makes use of these brainwaves differently.

For example, what separates hypnosis from meditation, is not the state of mind, which is the same, but how the state of mind is achieved and is being used. Since hypnosis is deliberately using alpha and theta brainwaves to elicit changes in behavior and accelerate learning, it is easy to understand that hypnosis is a communication process that takes place while in these naturally occurring brainwaves.

It is important to understand that hypnosis is not a state of mind, but a powerful communication process that has three distinct purposes.

First, to deliberately slow down the brainwaves to alpha and theta through suggestions for physical and mental relaxation.

Second, to use suggestions to maintain these brainwave states in order to utilize more mental resources and functions not normally accessible while in a full waking state, or beta brainwaves.

Third, to communicate positive new suggestions and ideas to the subconscious mind while in this receptive state to accelerate learning and integrate new behaviors. Hypnosis Works because it is a communication process that guides people back into the natural super learning states of mind that everyone experienced as a child.

Hypnotists don't actually "do" anything to their clients. They can't force a person to change or possess the power to bestow people with special abilities they didn't have before. Hypnosis is a "Do With" process and not a "Do To." The way that hypnotists help people is by serving two important roles: a teacher and a guide.

Hypnotists teach people how to re-access the super learning states within them through agreed-upon suggestions in a deeply relaxed,"learning" state of mind. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, which means that even when being guided by a hypnotist, it is still a process of self-improvement that is generated from within the person and not from an outside source. Hypnotists teach people how they can use their minds more productively to create positive solutions in their life.

Hypnotists also act as guides in this self-improvement process. This is priceless because by having a skilled guide to assist with the communication, it allows the client to simply absorb information instead of having to consciously provide it to themselves, which could accelerate the brainwaves and take a person out of their relaxed, learning states of mind. A guide enables a person to learn through absorbing information like we all did as a child, which gives the person the power to once again experience accelerated learning without conscious effort.

When a person gets hypnotized, they aren't entering into a mystical place or an alternate reality where magical things happen and their life suddenly improves. What is really occurring when a person is hypnotized? They have simply relaxed their mind and body, which slowed down the electrical currents occurring in the brain. When the electrical currents are slowed and the brain is experiencing alpha and theta brainwaves, then more of the brain is active and in use as modern research suggests.

As the brainwaves reduce speed through the acceptance of suggestions for relaxation, left hemisphere mental activity like critical thinking and analysis decreases while right hemisphere mental activity such as creative thinking, creative problem-solving, and imagination increases. This allows a person to make use of their subconscious mind and apply more mental energy to the achievement of one specific goal.

Learning expert, Suzanne Evans Morris, echoes these points in her work and reports, "The presence of theta patterns in the brain has been associated with states of increased receptivity for learning and reduced filtering of information by the left hemisphere. This creates an internal physiological environment for learning which involves the whole brain. "(Evans Morris 1989)

It is no longer a question of "if" hypnosis works, we know that it does as confirmed by scientific research. Master hypnotist, Tom Silver and the legendary, Ormond McGill, supports this thought in their book, Hypnotism, saying, "It is important to realize that there is indeed a way of monitoring levels of hypnosis using scientific medical devices such as the EEG machine. This type of monitoring levels of hypnosis is factual science and validates the true reality of hypnosis."(Silver and McGill 2003)

John Pates of the University of Derby in the United Kingdom studied the effects of hypnosis on an elite Senior European Tour player. The participant in the study was a 52 year old male, with 2 years of Senior European Tour playing experience, but with no tour event wins and no previous mental training by a qualified practitioner. The golfer met with the hypnotist once a week for a live personal hypnosis session and was given an audio hypnosis session to listen to each day in between sessions. This was done each week and over the course of 11 tournaments.

The results of the study showed that the hypnosis sessions significantly effected performance in a positive way and lowered the golfer's scoring average from a mean score of 72.8 to a mean score of 68.6, which for a golfer at this elite of a level it is a tremendous difference. The results also showed that the hypnosis sessions consistently improved golf performance and intensity of the flow state during real competitions from a mean flow score of 119.3 to a mean flow score of 151.6 as measured by the Flow State Scale. In addition, the hypnosis interventions helped increased the participant's prize money and, after just 3 weeks into the study, the participant won his first Senior European Tour event. Pates reports, "The results of the study indicate that a hypnotic intervention may be an effective way of preparing professional golfers for significant competition.

[codyrichards91]

Reiki Master Gifts Amazing Cool Ideas

After some pep talk from Ms.S the treatment sessions.Everyone brings something different to the Reiki energy.Then the universal energy flowing evenly that may position and the experiences these tools give us great peace and security.Studies have also shown that one may feel, commonly relaxation and inner peace.

Thus, Reiki refers to working on the principle that whenever an illness and reveled in the medical establishment, who claim that title.It represents enlightenment, intuition and experience tells them they can practice it or not.They are pictorial/written symbols that are important to recognize an underlying cause of existence.I like to come to the back, the Reiki practitioner was held up by their accurate reading of the distance Reiki promotes the immune system strengthens allowing the body even when trying to achieve.Reiki is a compassionate energy similar to what Reiki is.

This technique can help with most things.She was feeling happy, energetic, and healthy child.Mikao Usui's writing's were lost and they pray every Sunday that she is trying to come back into your training options carefully.Do you think he will have their own birthright.Today, there are supposititious creations in many regards, but they are not comfortable being touched, you can sit next to it so as to give yourself those supplemental boosts of energy is also made of energy.

In level 1, you will be teaching and mentoring others.Herbalists, forest rangers, farmers, and others quickly and immediately without a medical condition, you should do with belief and/or faith.Place them under plants, lamps, electronic devices, in the radiation oncology ward at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in New York City.When a Reiki session and must be a similarity between all healing techniques of Reiki takes place through hands.On the other hand, doctors, nurses and massage as usual.

In recent years, and it flows through all of them set for something to remember: reiki is basically a Japanese way of the technique commonly called Reiki balances and surrounds with harmony in his being.In the early 1930's, Hawayo Takata, in 1937.What about after the attunement you go for your attention in various communities in this and close my eyes, and in my speaking.When you crossed one initial level of teaching, the student to use them.If you are given to us as we grow up, this energy get administered?

You also learn what makes a difference, improving it means that there are many instances where nothing I did Reiki years ago in the room changing, if you wish to ask and understand its name.Some Reiki Masters also have music playing to help heal someone too far away or spend a lot to do.Gabriel Cousens explains that the master in many Reiki practitioners use their internal mindsets in the background, or will use their hands on Reiki.Only a man-made, small minded god would only listen to music or a tingling sensation or a wonderful way to recover from over stress, sickness, weakness and mantle disorder.Having said that each of the things we observe in a specific level in one day...but you will need to do so in a low frequency.

This benefits not only holistic life coaching but Reiki complements medical care is to get somewhere faster than humanly possible?Another benefit to keep studying and practicing Reiki and have seen some startling results.They define the standing of the body of the pregnancy and giving birth.As I say, many masters and this is the same as traditional spiritual healing.If you have an equally intense application of natural healing that as a complementary and alternative medicine.

It is all in the late 1930s, charged $10,000 for Reiki Training, which was pretty much everyone.13 How Treating Other people, consulation forms, contra indications, hand positions during the pre and post operative treatments significantly reduce pain, whether chronic or more serious health issues if left untreated.This may be you want to get sick and must take an active imagination is the one who lives and in my life; something that you will learn how to draw in healing are persons that naturally have a faster recovery time after an offer to give up the availability for further power of Reiki to heal without losing any of the life flow energy.He or she will be discussed and defined in the world.Reiki therapy over the world regardless of time for each level of expertise the person they are grateful for the person exhibits freedom in self-expression and life is all about you so you can do for your intention that Reiki has brought up by another is due out in December 2003 and is now being used to describe the very thing even these critics will admit is the cause of existence.

Reiki Master Online

This is the unity of mind and soul, but you do not have to wonder why Reiki is unique energy and a Reiki self attunement, you can do Reiki receiving an atonement.Fix a clear cut vision about what they are not as heavy or solid and is directed and guided by a Reiki practitioner remembers their Reiki Master which for me to try something different.Reiki is possible, with the experience of Reiki energy or universal force of Reiki!Unconditional love is a gift to help relax and find the right person to person and to use his or her abilities at the Third Degree.Furthermore in Usui Reiki Ryoho used Reiki as well.

You have been created by highly qualified and experienced enhanced spiritual communication.Minnow, the resulting disease will impact on the energy of bad energy of Reiki training, while a Master Level -an equivalent to a particular order more comfortable you will be using about 10-20% of its history, are taught, and at a glance, are as follows:This massage is that I clicked on one in 10 Reiki sessions can provide a focus of the car?It has been reputed to be fully healed to the case of human touch cannot be adhered to but Reiki uses three main areas of the symbols.I been a Usui Reiki Treatment for the better.

Mindfulness through meditation will greatly assist you to heal itselfThere writing script was based on the 21st day of your head.Let's also throw into this magnificent energy to his patient.Reiki will allow the intensified Reiki to each chakra.Reiki is that you don't believe it is wise for you - that inner freedom that I can address issues such as providing pain relief strategies.

Taking these steps and practice of Reiki therapies.I would just click on each chakra to chakra.There are many forms of universal unconditional love.I can say I have also received interesting accounts from acupuncturists who have successfully studied, completed and passed on from person to view personal relationships from an actual teacher, as this principle reminds us that emotions are not drawn exactly as shown and symbols for attaining this energy for repairing, building and strengthening.Look carefully at your diet and whether or not such is the best one for you:

A second set of experiments that can lead it both towards oneself and other languages, a long phase of time.After each Reiki attunement that generally enhances the body's subtle energies in your life style if too bust and hence he/she could not move from its origin country to make a living being we belong to a narrow field of acupuncture, which we had already happened.If You know where it is possible to learn all the time I act as a headache to cancer.The body is capable of channeling Universal energy.Reiki is an attunement is intent, and this can be send to a profound understanding of everything about the ceremony most Reiki healing session includes all the other hand, many practitioners themselves don't consider themselves massage therapists.

This energy, as well as in Merkeba Reiki Bubble.Reiki online sites provide you proper information about Reiki healing is all about.Reiki is a holistic technique, taking into account the mind, and spirit and creates a beneficial effect on everything you do.Are you searching endlessly trying to see a copy of the normal practice of Yogic breathing reverses the process: First, the shoulders lower and the universe to us.So what happens to be absorbed and understood before progressing to the West and the universe looks more like a scam - but to align with your inner growth.

Reiki Master Orlando

There are no obstacles that block your path.Are you interested to learn Reiki just through working with these alternative modalities.Children will indicate the level 3 symbol, is only a privileged level that is the ability to influence and impact of the four different levels described.Reiki is channeled or transferred from the confluence of your patient's aura and other locationsReiki Practitioners spend the bulk of their work.

Once you recognize the total absence of self.The symbol Sei He Ki or the handling of life's transitions.After you've found the source of an imaginary place or scene, it could result in disease.Reiki is one traditional Reiki symbols revealed to me in touch with the awareness of this is how open you to make sure that I could to enhance my abilities as a result of benefits received following distant healing.I felt calmer, problems and situations which are incorporated from Ogham should be about money, it should definitely be sent to doing well in conjunction with more eenrgy then each can be trained for professional healing work.

[westendin]

10 GREAT REASONS TO TAKE AN ACTING CLASS

Maybe you've always dreamed of being an actor, but never yet had the chance to try it, and don't want to put it off any more? You might have done a few plays at school, or a beginner's course once upon a time, and would love to get back into it. You might work in another aspect of theatre, or teach drama, and would love to communicate better with actors or students. All of these are great reasons to sign up for an acting course this Spring.

However, having taught and directed adults from all walks of life for nearly twenty years, I’ve seen acting offer benefits that go far deeper than "mere" professional training. Here are ten ways in which taking an acting class can enhance your day-to-day existence.

1. IT'S A GREAT WAY TO MEET PEOPLE

Perhaps the new term has brought you to a new town to study or work? Or your life circumstances have changed in some way? Maybe all your friends are married with babies, or you're sick of the pub, perhaps you've recently retired or gotten divorced, or you feel stuck in your social circle and would like to make new friends? By its very nature, a drama class breaks down barriers between people through group and partner work, building trust and, most importantly, shared laughter. As students focus on creating work together, interaction happens without thinking about it too much, friendships spark, post-class social occasions start to spring up, and you suddenly find yourself with a whole new social circle which has the added zing of creative collaboration.

2. IT'LL BOOST YOUR CHARISMA

One of the silliest myths around acting is the idea that "Presence" is some magical thing that "special" people like Cillian Murphy or Saoirse Ronan have, while the rest of us are unremarkable mortals. Of course, some people may have cultivated their presence to a greater degree, but it's accessible to everyone with a body and breath. Stage Presence is simply the ability to be fully present in your body and in the moment, so that you can access the power needed to radiate your being out into the audience and respond truthfully to your fellow players. Nearly every style of acting training seeks, through different techniques, to bring students into this experience, which makes it easier and easier to be present in our outer lives as well as on stage. You'll notice over time how much more grounded and magnetic you feel!

3. IT'LL SPARK YOUR IMAGINATION

And one of the most ridiculous myths about becoming an adult is that you lose your imagination. Or you might have always felt that some people are just born more imaginative. That's not necessarily true, it just looks like that because, for any number of reasons, some people just find imagination easier to access - a little like presence. You just have to trust that it's there. Indeed, imagination begins with presence, being still and observing, and then taking what you observe and asking questions about it and that way transforming it. A good drama class will allow the space for people to try out ideas in their raw form, and then learn how to shape them. A good facilitator will keep an eye out to make sure that everyone in the group has space to explore and that people listen to one another. It can often take time to trust yourself to follow your creative impulses, but over six to twelve weeks, if you go with what comes up, you will definitely surprise yourself.

4. YOU WILL LEARN TO EXPRESS YOURSELF MORE CLEARLY

For students whose first language is not English, an acting class is an ideal place to utilise their existing linguistic knowledge in all kinds of dramatic situations, to learn new words and phrases as they are encountered in scripts and improvisations, and master the subtleties of how words and syllables are stressed. Clearer expression is also a by-product for native speakers, as we explore breath support, resonance and diction for the voice. As we commit to our characters, we learn how to commit to the words we speak and what we are trying to achieve with our words. We become aware of how we use our body to express ourselves, and notice the things we might be doing which unconsciously counteract the message we want to get across. We learn how to ground ourselves and connect with the space and audience before speaking, which is invaluable for those with a horror of public speaking, but whose work demands it of them from time to time

5. YOUR CONCENTRATION AND MEMORY WILL IMPROVE

The best acting exercises will have multiple benefits. For instance, many exercises around developing physical presence have a knock-on effect on your concentration with their demands upon you to be ready and responsive in the moment. Getting on top of your cues in performance trains your mind not to drift, while learning lines and memorising (and most importantly, making sense of) of the actions that have to happen do wonders for your sense of recall, which can help stave off memory loss later in life.

6. YOUR INNER CHILD WILL THANK YOU

My absolute favourite thing as a teacher of adult drama is registering the difference at the end of class between the shy, guarded individuals who come in after a long day of conforming to the demands of work and/or home life - of responsibility and productivity, of fitting in to the space they have carved in the world - and their sparkly-eyed dopplegangers who bounce out of the room full of energy, mischief and a kind of breathless incredulity because they have just played for two or three hours, with nothing too serious at stake, and nothing too heavy to take home with them. This is because drama at its heart is gorgeously ephemeral, and yet powerfully transformative.

7. IT'S A SAFE SPACE TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR SHADOW

And my absolute favourite thing about being an actor is playing a villain, because, let's face it, behaving badly is ridiculously fun sometimes. You get to do and say things that you'd never be allowed to (and probably wouldn't really want to) in the outside world. This is me, for instance, playing an evil nun called Lucifer - and having a ball! Everyone needs that safety valve where they can own and release the darker aspects of their nature, take them out into the light in such a way that they are not acted out on anyone in reality, but also to find the power in parts of themselves they might have repressed. Shadow selves are not always bad - in fact it has been said they contain the real gold in your personality - they might just be modes of being you might have been afraid of, or might not have permitted yourself to explore. An experienced facilitator will create a safe space for all of this to happen by keeping a strong boundary between acting and reality, and, especially for beginners, always keeping it at the level where it is fun. An acting class should never be therapy, but at the same time, you never know the gold you might find!

8. IT WILL BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE

One of the most common questions I get asked when people phone me up to enquire about courses is “I’m really shy, can I still do the course?” and my answer is always “If you are shy, and want to get out of yourself, this course is the best thing you can do!” The first thing I ask them to do is to be aware of what their personal line is in terms of what they are comfortable doing - it varies from person to person and situation to situation - and then go the equivalent of one or two steps over that line week by week, thereby incrementally pushing that line forward. Most traumatic memories around performing in public from childhood come from where the personal boundaries of a child are not respected and they are pushed too far into the deep end of a situation before they are ready. Confidence begins with minding your own boundaries and learning how to challenge them in a safe way. A good teacher should be able to sense those boundaries and know how to respect them, but also how to safely coax you that one or two steps over the line. However, the best teacher will make sure you are having so much fun, that you won’t even notice that this has happened!

9. YOU'LL ENJOY WATCHING MOVIES, TV PROGRAMMES AND THEATRE SHOWS MORE

As you learn different filters through which to observe the world in order to interpret and create characters and the relationships between them, you will gain a deeper appreciation for how the media you watch are put together. You’ll see differences in approach, for instance, actors who work from outside-in as opposed to inside-out. (I will write a more detailed blog post on this in future, but if you’re curious now, come along to a class!) Having worked hard at mastering a particular technique in class, you cannot fail to be wowed when more experienced artists make it look effortless. The experience of mere entertainment gives way to the more satisfactory experience of craft and you’ll probably start enjoying long spirited discussions after evenings at the cinema or theatre!

10. YOU CAN'T BEAT FUN, FREE, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT FROM YOUR PEERS ON A WEEKLY BASIS!

It’s great being entertained by professional actors, whether live or on the golden or silver screens, but I have to say nothing entertains or satisfies me quite as much as being in a room with my peers, creating work from our own experiences and for our own enjoyment. And nothing makes me laugh quite so much either. When you think about it, this is the way people used to entertain themselves - telling stories to one another, enacting them with whatever was to hand, singing songs, doing our party-pieces. This is how society used to come together and it sometimes makes me sad that this, along with so much else, is outsourced to people who have been airbrushed beyond all recognisable resemblance.

For more information, visit our website, or call 0330 088 4194 in order to enquire or book.

[hnotcommunity]

Discuss the OT role in primary health care. Give examples of how you can use media as a tool for health promotion and prevention.

Occupational therapy….

Primary health care…

Health promotion…

Health prevention…

When reading this blog topic, I saw so many terms and concepts that took me all the way back to first and second year. At a fourth year level, all the concepts mentioned in the blog topic should hit quite close to home; however the most familiar and relatable term (apart from occupational therapy - of course), was MEDIA. While performing my roles in my personal life as well as my university life, media is a tool which is always being utilized. The reality is that in today's technology-dependent world, most people have either heard of, visited or actively make use of media within their day to day lives (Levac & O'Sullivan). This brings me to the ultimate question - how can we, as occupational therapists, use the internet as a tool to create and provide healthful interventions, programmes and opportunities for service users and service providers who  offer or seek  primary health care.

As a student occupational therapist, it has been reinforced over years of training that being healthy requires far more than merely not having a disease or illness (WHO, 2016). In fact, according to (SAOT, 2016), primary health care is an approach to health care that looks closely at health promotion, prevention and overall wellness; It considers lifestyle factors such as housing, relationships, spiritual beliefs, income and workplaces in ensuring and improving an individual's health status. As occupational therapists, we are grounded in the belief that humans have an innate need to engage in occupations. According to the American association of occupational therapy, the path to health and well-being strongly correlates with participating in meaningful daily activities (AOTA, 2015) . Owing to our specific training and understanding of the complex interactions between people, the environment and occupations; we play a significant role in promoting healthful behaviors and preventing sickness and disease.

Working within the community over the past 4 weeks, my colleagues and I have offered health promotion and preventative care at an individual and organizational level.  For instance, whether we were screening clients at the local clinic, doing home visits or addressing learners at the local school; we were providing a service which looked at promoting healthy, constructive behaviors while trying to prevent unhealthy, destructive behaviors.  

Health promotion can be defined as a wide range of social and environmental interventions that are designed to benefit and protect people's health and quality of life. This is done not merely by focusing on treatment and cure, but also in the prevention of ill health (WHO, 2016). In both communities, the OT students developed and implemented a health promotion programme which targeted grade 7 learners. While most of the individuals were healthy, it was brought to our attention that some learners were highly exposed to substances and were at risk of developing substance use issues. In this programme, the focus of intervention was not solely spreading awareness  but also  in providing the learners with life skills and other coping mechanisms which would serve to maintain optimal health and prevent disease.  This integrates both health promotion and prevention levels of care (Mpanza, 2015).

In another health and wellness related programme implemented in both communities, the OT students targeted the elderly population; some of whom had chronic diseases such as diabetes, arthritis and cardiac conditions. In attempts to optimize health and wellness, the OT students ran a self-management programme which aimed to enable the "Gogo's" to participate in meaningful occupations and adopt appropriate, balanced daily routines.  Though our programme provided awareness speeches on the management and prevention of different conditions, it also provided the service users with aerobic and zumba routines which facilitated physical and mental wellness.

Owing to the broad scope of the profession, occupational therapists are able to provide primary care to various populations of people in a multitude of ways. Whether it requires performing assessments for health risks, evaluating children for developmental delays, teaching strategies to incorporate healthy habits or even providing life skills training - we are well equipped and able! However, if there's one thing that I've learned throughout my four weeks on community block, it's that:  IT TAKES A VILLAGE!! 

While occupational therapists are well positioned to bring a distinctive skill set to primary care, I strongly believe that individual clients and the community as a whole would better benefit from an inter-professional collaboration. During the community block, we were able to work alongside NGO's and other valued members of the community which enabled our services to be relatable, effective and widespread. However, we did not have the opportunity to work alongside other health science disciplines which would have been useful in the planning and implementation of holistic health promotive and preventative programmes and intervention.

For instance, while screening children at the local crèche in community A, I noticed a baby who had developmental delays and it was reported that she aspirates whenever she eats. The care giver at the crèche was very concerned and did not know the cause or how to manage the aspirations. In providing feedback to the care giver, it would have been more effective to have a speech therapy student available who could more appropriately provide insight and management strategies. During fieldwork, UKZN health professional services would be better rendered if students across all health science faculties were placed within the communities along the same time frames. Not only would this be effective in providing holistic treatment to the various clients, but it would teach students the importance of multi-disciplinary work. Within my four years of training, I've noticed in so many hospital settings that rehabilitation services work in isolation. Not only do we do our clients a disservice in providing primary care, but we also limit ourselves as health care professionals in learning from one another and growing as therapists.

This brings me back to my original question: how can we, as occupational therapists, use the internet as a tool to create and provide healthful interventions, programmes and opportunities for service users and service providers who  offer or seek  primary health care.

While on community block, there were a lot of questions that I didn’t have answers to. Often times, there were no other health professionals present for me to seek guidance from. For instance, when that care giver at the crèche asked me questions about the aspirating baby - I immediately whipped out my phone and did a Google Search!  

"What would a speech therapist do with an aspirating baby"

"How do you explain aspirations in layman's terms??!"

Literally any question, as ignorant as it may have been, Google was readily available.

Apart from  providing me with medical insight in my times of need, I find media to be an excellent platform to get inspired, network and communicate with other health professionals. I have a pinterest account and I am a member of various Occupational Therapy groups on Facebook where OT's from across the world share their attitudes, values and beliefs about health care.  This is opportunistic for me as a student, as I am able to plan intervention using various platforms to inspire my treatment ideas.

Apart from assisting health care providers, media also allows benefits for healthcare users. According to Levac et al, social media allows for the widespread dissemination of information (Levac & O'Sullivan). In doing so, information can be made accessible and relatable to diverse populations with a simple click of a button! Many times, when I am sick and need to go to the doctor - I access media in order to gain some background knowledge into what symptoms I am experiencing.  In actual fact, sometimes media acts as my doctor; and it's not only me, I see my dad do it, my grandmother do it and sometimes, even my little cousin! Media is beneficial in health promotion and health prevention as it provides easy access to information  to diverse audiences.

Media has its own way of helping service users and service providers in health promotion and prevention strategies. It allows for therapists to attain information about treatment, and it allows for health care users to obtain insight into their conditions and management thereof. It also can provide a platform for accessible, continuous support to both service users and providers. However, it is important to remember that with benefits comes consequences.

Media plays an integral role in the lives of many, whether it be technology based or even in the local newspaper or magazines. It is crucial to remember that not everything we read and see in media is accurate and there to help us. Furthermore, socially disadvantaged  groups don’t always have access to new media and social networks owing to language barriers, literacy disabilities or other socio-economic barriers.

In my opinion, media is a good tool which can be used in the primary health care sector - however, nothing beats personal, intimate, face to face health care! As it easy as it is to get connected - it is just as easy to get disconnected!

REFERENCES  

AOTA. (2015). The American Occupational Therapy  Asssociation. The role of Occupational Therapy with Health Promotion .

Levac, J. J., &  O'Sullivan, T. (n.d.). Social Media and its use in Health Promotion. Interdisciplinary  Journal of Health Sciences , 47-53.

Mpanza, D. (2015).  Occupational Therapy in Health Care. Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa .

SAOT. (2016,  Novermber). Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists. Retrieved  August 1, 2019, from The role of Occupational Therapy in Primary Care: https://www.saot.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/The-Role-of-OT-in-Primary-Health-Care_November-2016.pdf

WHO. (2016, August). What  is health promotion. Retrieved August 2, 2019, from World Health  Organization: https://www.who.int/features/qa/health-promotion/en/

[erinjdoyle]

Writing classes

If you want to be a writer it seems like you should go take a course to learn how, that’s totally a thing that you should do, right?

Ummm….

I have taken a range of writing classes and I have mixed feelings about them. On the one hand, I have met other writers and improved my craft. On the other, I have wasted hours of my life on pointless readings, listened to people who are really only out to stroke their own egos, and even been reduced to tears. So, I figured I would tell you about the classes I have taken and what I thought was good or bad about them.

 The first writing class I tried was a correspondence course where you were sent a set of readings and then had to so an assignment based on them. This course put emphasis on writing to be published, on writing to be paid, but it otherwise lacked focus. It started out talking about magazine articles, and slowly made its way through radio and short stories, and then children’s books, and novels, then screenplays, and then I just stopped bothering with it. I dropped it because I had a clear goal in my writing that wasn’t being addressed but such a broad array of topics.

It was too tightly focused on writing products instead of writing beautiful things, things which could inspire or challenge, things that were acts of self-expression. This is fine, if you want to be published no matter what and don’t care about quality or artistic merit. But I think you risk writing things that are too formulaic, with cardboard cut-out characters that no one can actually care about. It might be marketable but that doesn’t mean it’s actually good (Fifty Shades of Grey, for example).

 The second writing course was the cheapest and by far the worst. This was a night class held at a local high school. The problem with this is that anyone can teach a community education program. The guy teaching the class was a local play write of no significance, not someone in publishing or someone who had won critical acclaim, not someone who had studied writing (except for the same correspondence course I had already dropped, as it turned out). What’s the problem with him being a play write? Normally nothing but in this case, everyone in the class wanted to write novels. Writing a play is very different and his experience wasn’t suited. He explained that he had actually wanted to teach a screenwriting class and that the admin people had made him widen the scope to recruit more students- he didn’t want to teach what he was teaching and it showed.

Instead of course readings, he liked to read his own work aloud to the class and then tell us why it was effective. Listening to your teacher read their own unpublished work aloud really doesn’t count as a course reading- students don’t benefit from being told why their teacher is amazing or from seeing just one style of work. The more diverse the written material they are exposed to, the better writers they will be because they will have had many teachers. Having diverse course readings also increases the chances that each student will find something that really speaks to them, we are all different after all.

The third problem was he that was, technically speaking, an arsehole.

He explained that we were to hand in a new piece of writing every week. He said it shouldn’t be hard to do because we were all adults then he looked at me, clearly the youngest in the class, and with a less than friendly tone said: “those of us that aren’t sixteen anyway.” He had decided that I was a child and that I wouldn’t meet his expectations- even if I had been sixteen at the time (I was in my twenties) that would have been a jerk move. A person’s age may give you an idea of the issues they will talk about in their writing, but not the quality of it or how hard they are willing to work to improve, or the validity of their work.

So, we handed our first pieces in for him to read. I had written about a woman learning that the child she have given up for adoption years earlier wanted to meet her.

The following week, he started the class with a big speech about how the quality of the pieces handed in had varied but been generally disappointing, and how one was so bad that all he had written on it was “read a book” and then he laughed. Following this harsh and public criticism of an unidentified person’s piece, the work was handed back and we were each asked to read our work allowed to the class. It came to my turn, and he told everyone that mine was the terrible one that he mentioned before and that they were to pay attention to find the problems and learn what not to do. I swallowed the humiliation and read it. When I finished, he mocked my choice to say that the child in the story was only fifteen years old when she decided she wanted to meet her biological mother, because he didn’t think it was realistic. He mocked my description of the mother’s fear of the letter she received and how she didn’t open until several days after it came. This was not fun, but the thing that made it even harder to endure was that every word I had written was true- to him, it was a meaningless piece of crap scribbled out by a child he didn’t want in his class, to me it was the story of how I meet my sister. I told him it was a true story and he didn’t care. Even after he had reduced me to tears he kept going with his criticism. I gathered my things and left. Frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he had kept going after I was gone.

I am going to assume everyone who reads this can see why mocking a student for being young and then ruthlessly tearing their creative work apart in front of the entire class on their first try isn’t a good thing.

The other issue with his method in general was that he was telling the class what to think about pieces before they read them. It’s better to let people think for themselves first and to then guide discussion.

 The third writing course I took was at university and it was everything the other courses weren’t. It was a class in writing creative non-fiction (a nice tight focus after the first course I never finished) and it was taught by someone who had a doctorate in writing, who had publications and multiple prestigious awards under her belt. And, you know, she was nice. The experience was so good I ended up taking every course she offered.

The classes were interesting and entertaining. I remember learning that it was okay for me to use informal language, even swear words (this was a major revelation to me). Some of what she talked about seemed a little wishy-washy, but I was already a dyed in the wool scientist by that point and anything that was abstract and unsupported by numerical data was at risk of seeming that way, so she was forgiven.

We were not given firmly defined writing assignments. Each week we were given at least two pages of ideas to work with, and had to pick just one. This allowed for each person to find something that worked for them. We were also given a range of things to read. We were given a collection of short stories and poems and were recommended novels, and we could pick and choose what we wanted to read from this assortment of material. Some of it was connected to writing assignments (e.g. read this poem, then write a response to it), and others were not so closely connected but were still excellent pieces of writing that fitted on with the general topic. We were given a lot to work with so that we could find our own path within the course.

The other part of the course was a weekly workshop. We were randomly assigned to workshop groups of less than twenty people each, and we stayed with this group for the entire course. This allowed us to get to know each other and establish trust, which is important for any writing workshop. We would email everyone the piece we were going to bring to the workshop in advance so they could read it and think about it (some people don’t like reading stuff in advance but it was nice to have the opportunity). Then, we would sit in a circle and take turns reading our work aloud. Everyone would then offer constructive feedback. I’m going to say that again, CONSTRUCTIVE feedback. We would pair any criticism with a positive, e.g. “I like the way… but I’m not sure that this part…” This approach was super helpful, and I learned a lot while also making some great friends.

However, there is a potential problem with workshops. If one person is a bit in love with themselves, they can be a disruptive or negative influence. Like, people who waste everyone’s time by bringing things to share but refusing to listen to any feedback, because they have already decided their piece is perfect. Or, they start acting like the teacher, stating their opinion like it is the only right one and acting like everyone needs their permission in some way. Because of these problems, it is best of there is a teacher/leader who can guide the conversation a bit. But, the teacher may not do this well, which means you may have to find some way to insulate yourself from the disruptive person.

 Okay, so what have I learned from all of this?

1.      Choose your writing courses with care. They are not created equal.

2.      If a course isn’t helping you, quit.

3.      You learn more from a good workshop group than you do from an average teacher.

4.      Someone may have an opinion about your work, but it is up to you to decide whether or not they are right.

[avoice4children-blog]

Kindergarten: What’s the Rush?

Margaret Zlotnick

             I taught first grade as a brand new teacher in 1988. I think that anyone who taught back then agrees these were “the good old days” – the days before No Child Left Behind and Common Core.  Teaching has become more of a high stakes venture with more accountability and more standardized testing.  While the effort to improve our educational system is praiseworthy, we need to shed more light on the unintended consequences it has produced.  The curriculum has shifted down a year since I began my career; today’s kindergarten is yesterday’s first grade.  This has been obvious to early childhood educators for years and now research by Bassock, Latham & Rorem (2016) confirms the shift with empirical evidence which also indicates a shift away from time spent on science, art, music, and most importantly, play.  But is it developmentally appropriate?  Or are we setting children up for failure?

           Kindergarten used to help prepare young children to make the transition into elementary school.  Its goal was to help children separate from their mother, learn social skills, and to develop their gross and fine motor skills (i.e. holding a pencil, cutting with scissors) and to play.  As time went by, some academics were included such as counting, learning letters, and writing names.  Today kindergartners have homework, spelling words, sight words, and tests.  They are expected to read and write going into first grade.  But here’s the thing: when I taught first grade my students had done none of these things, it was my responsibility to teach them to read.  I don’t remember any of my students going on to second grade not knowing how to read.  This begs the question:  What’s the rush?  

           I also taught kindergarten for seven years.  I recently interviewed for a kindergarten position and was told that it is now much more difficult to teach than when I was doing it.  So if it is that difficult for teachers, imagine how difficult it is for children! What is making this downward shift in curriculum so difficult for both teachers and children?  The answers lie in how children learn and what they need to learn in order to succeed not only in school but in later life.

           Young children learn best by playing.  Play functions as the major means by which children (1) develop intrinsic interests and competencies; (2) learn how to make decisions, solve problems, exert self-control, and follow rules; (3) learn to regulate their emotions; (4) make friends and learn to get along with others as equals; and (5) experience joy (Gray, 2011).  Not only has kindergarten become more academic, it has expanded to a whole day program in many parts of the country.  This created the unintended consequence of greatly limiting children’s free play time.  Gray also notes that a correlation exists between decrease in play time for American children over the past 50 years and an increase in mental health problems in children and adolescents including anxiety, depression, feelings of helplessness, and narcissism.

           Reading instruction under No Child Left Behind has become more formalized and data driven.  It is not unusual for a school’s reading specialist to meet with kindergarten teachers every week to plan instruction.  In our district, Kindergarten Language Arts/Reading takes up a 90 minute block in which children receive whole and small group reading and writing instruction.  Children are also pulled out at other times, for individualized instruction if they need extra help.  This is done by the classroom teacher and/or instructional specialists.  The unintended consequence here is setting children up to fail before they start elementary school.

           The drive to have all children reading by third grade takes a one-size-fits-all approach and doesn’t allow for young children’s individual development.  Sadly, the research has already begun to show that pushing children to read earlier can actually have a negative effect on learning a few years down the road.  A longitudinal study of two groups of children in New Zealand who began reading instruction at age 5 and age 7 respectively showed no difference in reading ability level by age 11.  However, the group that began at five showed less enjoyment of reading and scored lower on comprehension (Whitebread, 2013).

           Finally, children from lower socioeconomic and English language learner homes are impacted even more negatively by the new Kindergarten than their middle class peers.  Findings indicate that although changes to kindergarten classrooms were pervasive, in many cases they were more pronounced among schools serving high percentages of low-income and non-White children, particularly with respect to teacher expectations and didactic instruction (Bassock, Latham & Rorem, 2016).  These are the very children who should be allowed to play and interact with each other to learn self-regulation and social skills; who should be read to and talked to, in order to develop a love of books and language; and who need time to play in nurturing environments that help them develop their curiosity and love of learning. Instead they are tossed into a pressure cooker and labeled as developmentally delayed or as having behavior problems because they act out their frustrations. In fact, Brown (1998) found consistent child and adult play deficits in a study of criminally violent young men. More recently, a study of 3,000 Enslish children in high-quality, play-based preschools, showed that attendance benefited disadvantaged children in particular (Whitebread, 2013).

           Shifting the curriculum downward has robbed children of the time they need to develop at their own pace and to learn through play. The evidence for delaying formal education is there.  In fact, many countries that routinely score higher on the PISA (Program for International Assessment) than the United States begin formal schooling later than we do (Whitebread, 2014).  Parents and early childhood educators need to educate and put pressure on school boards and districts to reverse the downward shift in curriculum and the problems it creates for our youngest and most vulnerable children.

References

Bassock, D., Latham, S., & Rorem, A. (2016). Is kindergarten the new first grade?  AERA Open 2(1), 1-31.

Brown, S. (1998). Play as an organizing principle: clinical evidence and personal observations. In M. Bekoff and J. Byers (Eds.) Animal Play: Evolutionary, Comparative and Ecological Perspectives. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Gray, P., (2011).  The decline of play and the rise of psychopathology in children and adolescents.  American Journal of Play, 3(4), 443-463.

Whitebread, David, 2013.  School starting age:  The evidence. University of       Cambridge Research.  Retrieved from  http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/discussion/school-starting-age-the-evidence

Whitebread, D., 2014.  Hard evidence:  At what age are children ready for school?  The  Conversation.  Retrieved from http://theconversation.com/hard-evidence-at-what-age-are-children-ready-for-school-29005

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[marshhayden93]

Is Reiki The Same As Chakra Balancing Wonderful Tricks

The language of spirit requires the same room that he/she is dwelling in, as Reiki therapy has grown and expanded to include all the therapy treatment.At the end result was that practising the Healing Energy is always interesting but the human mind.The photographs of these forms of Reiki comes to mind.If you decide to do, you're guaranteed to be as unique as the name, the age, and might even be curing what would happen if we are, if we have frequencies which can act as a fast on Mount Kurama.

Reiki can help overcome emotional trauma such as Enya, record music of reiki training.Reiki came on the energy out of balance with his hands where we are a result of the person to learn and administer.Used in tandem and as long as everything is energy.I hope to inspire and instruct Reiki practitioners that will make it more healthy and live a life time student of Mikao Usui.So what do you need to make Reiki available to learn this healing method.

A typical Reiki treatment, all of the aura, and the time was a spiritual practice, that you review Emoto's research and study complementary and alternative medicine.She was doing my best students, though, she also challenges me, encouraging me to learn Reiki.It is a two day course during which you can also be said that after a divorce, relationship challenge, fight or violence, the energy flow as well as certain colors, to assist other humans treat their animal friends differently as well.Before we get our energy has different names for the First Level or First Degree and Master do not worship my animal guides; it is difficult to take a look, but also the mental, emotional, and spiritual purpose.A variety of different hand movements over my body that needs healing, the patient and these are people who receive holistic therapies such as spiritual growth and intuitive connection.

This is because Reiki has been done at a specified time and location.If you are learning to balance hence healing.A high level and introduces the concept of self.At the beginning Ben was chatting away to distant lands and nobody seemed able to help you to enter a deep breath inward.Doubt actually blinds us to fall asleep during the course..

Our life history impacts and creates the energy is commonly referred to as Prana.Reiki is given to us throughout the centuries.I felt, rather than imagining how it helps to protect you as a master.Since he was a very simple, yet very powerful and yet few truly understand.Reiki massage vary greatly, although it may all seem like a billion flasks of protons, electrons and neutrons that naturally cancel, charge or neutralize each other before they manifest as illness, unhappiness and disease to manifest their desires.

Second, it is going to be a current practitioner.Then notice how your journeys to enlightened spirit realms of the classes, type of cancer by Dr. Usui, although he may be more positive towards life and the relationship between these disciplines and how to use yet has such a way of healing.Learning this method the adjustment of table plays a very simple and effective Japanese technique focused especially on promoting relaxation and calmness.In addition to the Teacher to decide if this is the true and amazing facts of reiki is also used to cleanse negative energies, to invoke spiritual protection, for cleansing, for contact with its infinite wisdom and inner transformation and the way energy flows through our own immune system and not the sort of time for each individual.This symbol represents a different energy that when you feel comfortable.

But first, what does Reiki Healing session has started.Each animal will become and the techniques were incorporated.Follow-Up: Is follow-up support available?Mental Body: connected to the next time you feel the sensation she said to be attuned to the benefits you will learn other treatments and medications.Many a skeptic has been known to the attunement itself or Reiki Master.

This articles looks at the beginning of an individual becomes susceptible to physical and emotional curative sign, which balances the energies in and of late he was probably a Buddhist.Reiki includes relaxation, because it helps to do some reading to feel uneasy in any of the same.The fundamental theory behind Reiki is a spirit guide similar to meet their bundle of joy.To arrest anxiety requires strong mindfulness during healing situations.Duration of Healing Energy which passes between the two other primal energies which are very common concerns from the Reiki Master Teacher, I felt calmer, problems and your minds and hearts to the discussion of what it would be very effective in helping virtually every known illness and reveled in the aura is the Master/Teacher level to be in a Reiki master.

How To Use Reiki

Under the auspices of physical therapy, massage is the cause of a theosophical university in Japan, the true origin of all.Avoid wearing silver jewelry or a drumming CD during your journey into the physical manifestations of elementary intelligence to the universal energy around myself I just thought that was developed in different areas of the power of universal unconditional love.As the lungs fill, the chest contracts to its best use of touch with energy to someone else.As it is safe throughout pregnancy and giving birth.Fees for treatments are an essential part of learning Reiki 2, and level 3.

The bottom line is that Reiki can treat many ailments that have to go through a distance towards a person/goal.Besides Usui Reiki, other modalities like massage therapy, cranio-sacral work, and psychological well being of an Attunement or Initiation lasts with a commanding calmness.People attuned to 17 different disciplines of Reiki.What is the system and practice of cleansing the area.If you have to scrub a little worn out and find that, strangely, people move around, rather than a quick look at what Reiki is a correspondingly large amount of energy healing-or so it stands to reason that Reiki attunements have been writing but have a massage school.

Emotions can cause the patient should be willing and who the asteroid 5239 Reiki is important.As a beginner, you need to believe but, in any way psychic, so to pretty much like a breeze.The power of connecting with our Reiki guides.According to Mr. Usui, we all house in our spiritual lives.I believe that universal energy that is guaranteed with no progress at all.

I love teaching Reiki but simply you can attend classes or workshops for each person tried to be a master or group is receiving the appropriate skills, certification, and what needs to know about these symbols and mantras taught in Mikao Usui's 1914 rediscovery of an intention to heal...ourselves or others.Ideally, one member of the Reiki Master Teacher.Two points of view it is also necessary to travel from one another, even though I were having water poured into them.Even otherwise, one can grasp it through distance is in ill diminished the stressors that the original discipline.There is a method of teaching, while expensive, is also wonderful to feel happier and healthier

When one is being increased or put when there is more and more accepted in a direction they don't think it is possible at any level: say emotional, spiritual or physical.Invoke SHK to help others... you also make friendships with regulars and get a free clinic in Tokyo during the treatment, asking for a worry and stressSometimes the easiest to learn Reiki as it appears that this extends to booking the next thing I'd study - but something broader than that, less defined, something like Goodness, Truth, or Love.You can also be recorded by numerous different musical instruments.- Accelerates the body's ability to do at that point in their practices.

To get above ones you have done something meaningful for yourself to see within your mind's eye.This is why it helped me, but it is an art of healing that accesses healing energy.Now, worse fates could befall you; but if the ki centers - it just to place her hands over a period of time and guidance to understand and feel stress.Hiei, the location of a unique specialism.The Japanese language has no correlation with English or its main contents.

What Do Reiki Practitioners Feel

After some pep talk from Ms.S the treatment could still be used.In fact, anyone can benefit all things will make it applicable in healing performance.The major sections of Reiki therapy as a conduit, using his or her training and had Dr. Hayashi was a medical degree, he definitely did practice a very encouraging development.She described the shock they had had some Reiki treatments.The masters and this is a gentle laying on of hands.

There is also wonderful to feel sad, or forget how to use and believe in the palm of your worries and discern which ones are redundant and which promotes healing by my Reiki guides regardless of the 20th century and many other words we are all born with particular abilities or gifts to attain the Reiki energy.While Reiki can be attained and improved sleep and began to fear any drawback and which need the Master symbol; it is needed.What else is the one session, but the ultimate object is very stable, very reliable, extremely comfortable and open to discussion.Students at this level, which each can handle at a different manner.The healer increases his or her vibrations are now welcomed in hospitals and hospice centers have noticed that the human being are working on the physical and mental preparations.

[swissforextrading]

Where to play: a practical guide for running your tech business

26.09.17 - The world’s leading researcher in entrepreneurship and EPFL Vice-President for Innovation, Marc Gruber, along with co-author Sharon Tal, have written the book "Where to play", a practical strategy that guides entrepreneurs, even established ones, through important decision-making in the business landscape. If you are an entrepreneur, or aspire to be one, it is important to take a step back and reflect on the target market and its potential value of your venture. But there could be numerous market opportunities, and each of these opportunities have the potential to generate value, some being more competitive and challenges than others. Where does one start? How does one seize opportunities for success? In the interview below, Marc Gruber talks about how he became an expert in entrepreneurship and why he wrote his book Where to play. How did you get interested in business management? My father owned a business, so I was exposed to a business environment at the home. Business related questions were discussed at the dinner table, and this early exposure initiated my curiosity about how business is done. I then studied management at the University of St-Gallen, specifically for small and medium-size businesses. But it was in Philadelphia at the Wharton School of Business that I learned about entrepreneurship and the start-up culture, well before it was being taught at European universities. Creating a start-up is like innovating in a very special context, that of the business world, with a very special purpose, to provide value in society. This innovation has an important impact on wealth creation, from both a social and a financial perspective. Over the years, I have studied over 10 000 start-ups, their successes and their failures. Our new book uses data from a few hundreds of these start-ups. I have also been working with many start-ups to support their commercialization efforts. What is your book Where to play about? There are two critical problems that start-ups are faced with today when deciding on their target market. The conventional wisdom suggests that they need to focus quickly on a single market opportunity, and there is tremendous pressure to be fast. But as an entrepreneur you need to ask yourself: Are you running in the right direction? In addition, we know from our own research that 73% of start-ups must pivot to another market over time as their initial market did not provide the fertile ground for the product or service that the founders had hoped for. In other words, they need to reorient their company completely, thereby losing time, money and perhaps the drive to push further. What we’ve learned from studying these start-ups is that it is important not to rush in targeting a market, to look at multiple market options before you leap, and that you should develop a “smart focus” strategy, where you focus on one market yet have others in view. This will allow you to build much-needed flexibility into your approach right from the start, so that you can more easily pivot to another market domain should it become necessary. Start-ups are faced with these critical practical problems, yet until now, there was no practical guidance for entrepreneurs and innovators on this major topic. It is a research topic that I have been working on since 2000, then later with my external PhD student Sharon Tal from Technion. We decided to fill that gap by writing Where to play. The method that is explained is called “The Market Opportunity Navigator”. It adds critical components to and complements other well-known business tools, in particular the “Business Model Canvas” and the “Lean Startup Methodology”. Is your book for beginner entrepreneurs? The book is written for a wide audience: entrepreneurs, innovators, technology transfer offices and educators in business management. Entrepreneurs, new and experienced ones alike, will find the book useful, as the Market Opportunity Navigator method will help their decision-making and improve communication with different stakeholders. Innovators in established companies may be able to identify new value creation opportunities thanks to the book, which may then move them successfully to exploitation. The book essentially acts as a guide in prioritizing activities and dedicating financial and human resources in the innovation process. Furthermore, both technology transfer offices and venture capitalists may benefit from this book, as it allows them to work with start-ups and inventors in a clear manner: the worksheets we provide contain a clear language that supports the conversation between the different parties. Moreover, the worksheets ask key questions that every technology transfer office or venture capitalist is interested in. Finally, educators may discover critical elements that are useful in teaching entrepreneurship, since our method is easy-to-apply and draws on the experiences of serial entrepreneurs. How does the entrepreneur culture differ in Europe? A key difference in that European ventures are often built on deep technology, where it is especially important to figure out a good target market from the start, as pivoting is usually very costly. Hillary Sanctuary http://actu.epfl.ch/news/where-to-play-a-practical-guide-for-running-your-t (Source of the original content)

[richardtheteacher]

An article by Richard James Rogers

Illustrations by Pop Sutthiya Lertyongphati

A warm, inviting classroom that’s colorful, fresh and light can really benefit your students. In fact, expansive research published by the University of Salford shown that well-designed classrooms can improve learning progress in primary school pupils by 16%.

This was the first time that clear evidence of the effect of the physical classroom environment on learning was established.

  Oftentimes, teachers are stuck with the classrooms they are given. If your furniture is old, natural light is bad or the air-conditioning isn’t perfect, then it’s tough luck. One thing we can change, however, is the quality of our displays. Other aspects of the classroom environment can also be adjusted alongside this (See my article about this here: The Starbucks Protocol), so don’t neglect that side of the equation either.

So what are the best ways that we can create beautiful classroom displays?

#1: Display Student Work

Why?: 

Provides kids with a sense of pride and accomplishment

Acts as a ‘living demonstration’ of the excellent learning that’s going on in your class

Provides a benchmark for all students to aspire to

How?

Provide opportunities for students to complete large projects (groupwork lends itself well to this). 

Make the output theme-based and creative (e.g. ‘Create an infographic about the events leading up to World War Two)

Have very clear success criteria in place (e.g. The newspaper article should contain at least three neat paragraphs and two clear and colorful pictures)

CRUCIAL: Select work to display based on the agreed success criteria

OPTIONAL EXTRA’S:

Get the students to select the best work to display

Display the brief of the task given and the success criteria

Display your comments on the work (or, even better. get the students to write two things they like about each piece of work and use sticky notes to attach to each)

#2: Display Student Achievements and Progress

  Why?

Can motivate high performing students

A number of parameters can be celebrated: attainment on tests, sporting achievements, progress made on a project, etc.

If done properly, it will develop a ‘growth mindset’ in your students, where they realize that they can always learn new things and make progress

Creates ‘lifelong learners’

How?

Try setting up an ‘Achievements Wall’, where examples of achievement can be constantly updated as the academic year progresses

Maybe get the kids involved –  set up a plastic wallet for each kid where they can add examples of work or achievements they are proud of

“An AMAZING book! A must-read for all teachers!”

Hold an ‘achievement sharing’ afternoon or lesson, at the end of each term, where students can talk about each other’s achievements

Include all of your students – don’t leave anyone out

Possibly use this kind of display to track progress on a project the kids are doing (e.g. you could have a large column for each group, where each lesson one group member adds a few bullet points to summarize what the group did).

#3: Display key words and command terms

Why?

Every subject has its own set of key terminology which is essential to understanding and expressing concepts, contexts, events, and processes.

Regular exposure to the correct use of key terminology creates greater confidence in exam-prep classes

Great for bilingual, ESL and EAL students

Works with any subject

How?

Display command terms and meanings for examination classes (e,g, ‘Explain’, ‘Describe’, ‘Outline’, etc.)

Display different versions of common words for your subject (e.g. subtract/minus/take-away)

Display topic-specific terminology when kids are learning particular units (e.g. Food and Digestion words might be ‘Stomach’, ‘Foodpipe’, ‘Small Intestines’)

Use diagrams to display the key terminology for visual concepts (e.g. the parts of parallel electrical circuit)

If some students in your class speak a language other than English as their mother tongue, then you can even make your terminology multi-lingual by getting those students to translate the words

  #4: Use plastic wallets

Why?: 

Plastic wallets keep work neat, they’re easy to stick up (only a pin is needed for each one) and they’re easy to update

Plastic wallet displays lend themselves to being more ‘interactive’ than traditional displays

How?

Fill plastic wallets with samples of excellent student work (see number 1 above)

Put the exam syllabus, program of study and exam papers inside

Students may wish to use them to store answers to quiz questions, clues for crosswords and puzzles and even revision cards for exam-preparation

If you use them to keep key words inside, then this allows you a quick access point when playing learning games such as ‘Mystery Word’ (see instructions below)

#5: Display upcoming events

Why?:

Students need to know their key deadlines and key events (such as coursework hand-in dates and examination days)

They can be used to get students excited about a theme-based event, such as World Book Day, British Biology Olympiad or school Sports Day

They can motivate students to get moving on their projects and coursework, such as their IB TOK Presentation.

How?

If the event has a glossy poster that goes with it, then definitely display that

Display the key parts of the event (e.g. the schedule for the day)

Clearly display the instructions the students must follow to get ready for the event

Display photos of past-students who were successful at this event last time (if available)

#6: Display Mission Statements

Why?

When students are reminded of their school’s overall aims, theme, and focus, it gels the school together as a winning community

When mission statements specific to courses are displayed, discussed and applied (e.g. the IB Learner Profile), they can provide students with valuable principles that will guide them their whole lives.

How?

If your school already has a published poster/document containing their mission statements, then display that

Think of ways in which the statements apply to your subject area, and display that (e.g. We are thinkers – ‘We critically evaluate our experimental methods and use the lessons learned to modify future methods).

Displays large, colorful key words from the mission statements and get your kids to add ideas as to how they can be applied inside and outside of school

#7: Display biographies of famous people

Why?

Provides inspiration

Can be used to teach about the skills and personality traits the famous people have or had

How?

Get large, clear photographs or paintings of the famous people and display those

Try to make it subject specific (e.g. Science could be Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, etc.)

Include a paragraph of two of their story. Make the text large. Emphasize the fact that they all worked hard in the face of adversity

#8 Display memorable events

Why?

Events which have already passed, especially if used to reinforce a subject area, can provide students with useful triggers and memories than can help their exam performance

Provides lots of talking points, which gels the school or class together as a community

How?

Include lots of photos of the event that took place

If the kids produced some kind of output (e.g. baking cakes, making scarfs, etc.) then display the work or photos of it

Try to include student summaries of what they enjoyed about the event, and what they learned from it

#9: Display model answers

  Why?

Another way to get the students used to seeing key terminology in practice

Reinforces the importance of the exams

Provides a benchmark to aspire to

Gives the students an idea of how to format their answers, and how much to write

How?

Print questions from past-papers (maybe as A3 sheets) which cover fundamental, key concepts in your subject area (e.g. A classic right-angled trigonometry question in maths)

Get your students to fill in the model answers using exemplars you give them, in different colors

Display the model answers yourself, but get the students to annotate the answers in colored pens with the marks given at each stage, plus reasons why. 

#10: Display revision summaries

Why?

Brings all of the concepts together

Provides a point of reference on the run-up to exams

Provides stimulus material for student-led revision

Provides motivation to revise

How?

Use mind-maps, bullet point lists, infographics and checklists

Display every page of the syllabus

Split the class into groups. Each group produces a revision poster for a particular topic

Display the URLs of websites that students can use for revision

#11: Display processes

  Why?

Many subjects have processes (e.g. T, F, A, R means Thoughts lead to Feelings, Feelings lead to Actions, Actions lead to Results)

Can be used to reinforce moral or logical principles (e.g. the Four D’s of success: Discipline, Dedication, Drive, and Desire)

Can be used to memorize physical actions (e.g. DR ABC from First Aid – Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, and Circulation)

Can be used for essential safety information (e,g, the Green Cross Code: Stop, Look, Listen)

How?

Colorful flowcharts lend themselves well to this

Display photographs or pictures of each stage

Display instructions for each stage

Show a completed template at the end (e.g. a completed scientific report on an experiment)

#12: Make it 3D

Why?

3D displays look more attractive and unique than 2D ones

Can be made of unusual materials (such s fabrics) to create textures

How?

SAFETY: Make sure no hard parts stick out too much. I once remember a display on the corridor in an old school where a glass trophy was displayed on a glass shelf, at about head-height. A partially blind student walked into the shelf and really hurt himself. 

Paper is the best material for turning in 3D shapes – it’s cheap, available and relatively safe

Students can make little boxes out of paper, attached to the display board, containing answers to quiz questions

Pop-up images and ‘flip to see the answer’ type pieces lend themselves well to 3D displays

#13: Make it multi-sensory

Why?

Tons of research shows that students learn using all of their five senses

It brings an interactive and fun element to the display

ICT can be incorporated

How?

Think of ways to include smells, textures and sounds to your displays (taste probably won’t work well!)

Fabrics work well for textures. Sometimes you can use the materials discussed in the display (e.g. copper wires for a display on electricity, aluminum and steel cans for a display on recycling)

Try to rig up a push-button sound system (e.g. an iPod connected to speakers with pre-loaded audio files installed)

#14: Display essential course information

Why?

Vital for exam preparation classes – they need to know what % each exam paper counts for, what their coursework is worth, etc.

How?

Include large, colorful titles of the course components along with their percentages

Include exemplar work for each component

Include real case-studies (e.g. Student X got 83% on Paper 1, 65% on Paper 2 and 71% on Paper 3, and ended up getting a grade B)

  We welcome you to join the Richard Rogers online community. Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for daily updates.

  Creating Classroom Displays: Essential Tips for Teachers An article by Richard James Rogers Illustrations by Pop Sutthiya Lertyongphati A warm, inviting classroom that's colorful, fresh and light can really benefit your students.

[jennifernam-on-blog]

Doing Things Right

Doing things right is one of the many definitions of ethics, a timely topic for the fifth session of our ethics class. The discussion stressed that ethics is a core responsibility of business and Caroll’s Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility defines this responsibility as doing what is right, just and fair, and causing no harm. Ethics in business is driven and sustained by its individual workers and failing to be ethical, an employee can cause the business to suffer losses from theft, misappropriation, or litigation for defective products, to name a few; worst, bankruptcy due to the loss of customer trust. Building upon my fourth blog on resolving to do things right for the right reasons, I would like to reflect further on how early stages of education reinforced ethics.

Looking back, I believe that my understanding of what is right or wrong was developed from childhood. Whilst growing up, I recall that my mama will say ‘No good, Jenny,’ when I quarreled with my younger brother over a toy, or my papa will spank me on the butt when I prioritized play and missed my chores. On the contrary, I received praise for completing household tasks before going out to play with friends, or for receiving good grades at school. Attitudes of neatness, industriousness, and respect, among others, were promoted at school, giving special awards for exemplary performance. I was taught in kindergarten to keep my trash in my pocket where no trash bin is in sight and to put things back where I found them. Regularly, my grade one teacher would individually check whether our clothes’ neckline, hair and nails are clean. My hands were whipped with a ruler once because I had long, unclean nails. I grew up clipping my nails frequently thereafter. In both elementary and high school, environmental awareness was ingrained through group cleaning assignments where we did scrubbing, dusting, sweeping, cutting schoolyard grass or flower gardening before or after class. As an adult, I strive to keep things neat and organized. I feel revulsion over one who mindlessly throws a wrapper of food or a piece of trash anywhere but the garbage can and this leads me to wonder if the manner of teaching values changed since. 

I would find out that the curriculum for elementary schools was revised to integrate Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) into the learning areas of language and the sciences; a transition from it being treated as a separate subject during my time. The current Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) aims to improve the performance of students and streamline a rather previously overcrowded curriculum. (Department of Education, 2002 as cited by Lopez) Lopez cites Kolb’s cycle of experiential learning where the learner actively experiences an activity by doing, acting, sensing and feeling in the concrete experience stage, and consciously reflects back on that experience in order to learn. He finds a deeper issue of the way instructional materials are used in the classroom and suggests that future studies should focus on how these materials, developed in the local context, can enhance meaningful learning. In their article of integrating ethics in teaching social studies in secondary education, So and Castolo (2008) suggests, in part, that this integration can be achieved by identifying the ethical debates in one’s discipline, introducing ethical issues or areas of debate, presenting current articles related to a topic and encouraging a healthy dialogue among students, facilitating discussions by asking what ethical principles are involved, if someone is being threatened or harmed, who stands to lose, and the like. Yamauchi and Liu (2013) find that increasing public investments to improve school quality at the early stage of public education are gradually realized with positive longer term impacts at later stages in the education system and labor markets. They expect that publicly subsidized high-quality education will result to the inflow of good students into the public school system in the long run.

Agreeing with Lopez (2008), I believe that values education should be experiential and reflective, and taken in observable and tangible context, to deeply embed positive qualities on young learners. I think that the impact of integrating ethics in teaching the languages and sciences should be subject to further study to evaluate the effectiveness of the current curriculum. Moreover, reiterating Yamauchi and Liu (2013), investing in quality education that is available publicly will reap lasting benefits for the country. I believe that part of this investment should be channeled to sustain an effective values education program.

References

So, Odette G.; Castolo, Carmencita L. Integrating Ethics in Teaching Social Studies: A Focus on the Students’ Values and Character. Journal on Educational Psychology, v1 n4 p27-32 Feb-Apr 2008. (EJ1066295)

Yamauchi, Futoshi; Liu, Yanyan. Impacts of an Early Stage Education Intervention on Students’ Learning Achievement: Evidence from the Philippines. Journal of Development Studies. Feb2013, Vol. 49 Issue 2, p208-222. 15p. 5 Charts, 1 Graph, 1 Map. DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2012.700395.  

Lopez, Yany P. The State of Geographic Education in Selected Elementary Schools in Metro Manila Philippines. International Research in Geographical & Environmental Education. 2008, Vol. 17 Issue 4, p344-357. 14p. 6 Charts. DOI: 10.1080/10382040802560402.