How do you “teach” social justice and responsibility to children? What are the roots of prejudice, racism and bigotry? At what age is it appropriate to introduce some of the more volatile social issues? What premise or criterion do you come from?
These are charged questions. Responses to these and related questions vary from culture [...]
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Here comes a snowy blizzard of watery wonders:
Water is the marriage of two of the most combustible elements in the Universe, HYDROGEN and OXYGEN - H2O! The configuration of these building blocks (two hydrogens and one oxygen) produces a molecule with almost magical properties:
Water is called the UNIVERSAL SOLVENT. Think about it. Water [...]
Continue reading “The Wonder of Water - Part Three” »
Ninety five per cent of the fertilized human egg is water!
Seventy per cent of the adult human body is water!
Seventy per cent of the earth’s surface is water!
In light of these watery facts, the word ‘physical’ has a different connotation. That is, we are more fluid than solid, right? Human physiology is a fluid [...]
Continue reading “The Wonder of Water - Part Two” »
When asking a group of second graders, “What is the most important thing about this amazing stuff called water?” One little guy shouted out, “It’s wet!”
A little girl said, “Water’s in everything.” And another girl exclaimed, “Water makes life!”
Wow! What better starters could a teacher ask for? Including the one little boy’s answer - [...]
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The first most important teaching tool you have is you!
The second most important teaching tool you have is the physical, emotional and mental environment you create in your classroom. This is a powerful, often unconscious educator that can help or detract from your mission as a teacher.
For example, beginning with the physical environment, have [...]
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Here’s a wise old Taoist folktale for your toolkit.
In an ancient Chinese village there lived a very old sage. He was so old in fact, that no one in the village could remember him being born. He was but a simple farmer whose only belongings were his horse, a hut and a small plot of [...]
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Sometimes the simplest notions are the most profound and far-reaching. Here’s one - If you value something and want to keep it, you must first give it away! Or - if you want to learn something, teach it! Well, here’s our way of saying it: Express It to Get It!
This is such a big [...]
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What educates a child most? As a parent or a teacher, wouldn’t it be nice to know what children learn by most?
Of course there is no magic formula. We know there are at least seven major learning modalities. But the truth is every single child is unique. And therein lives the dilemma. How do [...]
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The 21st Century is a whole new chapter in the human story. Our time now truly constitutes an extraordinary opportunity to help pioneer new pathways in education. The origin of the word ‘crisis’ is ‘change’. Educators in every part of the globe stand at this remarkable threshold knowing there will be a group of [...]
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It is the small, magnified, life focusing moments that seem to have the greatest impact on a child’s life. It is the little big things that make a difference. It may be a moment between a teacher and a child, when that child feels they are recognized, understood and confirmed; and because of that [...]
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Paul A. Zeir grew up in the landscape of the Colorado Front Range, where he attributes much of his natural education. He learned the basics on the piano from the age of 5 and took up the guitar at age 12, writing songs and composing music since he discovered the gift to be able to do so. Music, the Rocky Mountains, rhythmic sports and the longing for a sense of purposeful community were his principle mentors growing up. Paul’s search for vocation always accompanied by a sense of mission began with the Institute of Cultural Affairs where he lived and worked with indigenous people in Alaska, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela. He also studied at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and Colorado University in Boulder between his travels. His education continues to this day, deepening and broadening through a variety of researches best characterized as the field of Human Development and Education. The world of child education opened up when he became a father of 2 boys. His primary wish as a parent was to provide a rich & loving educational environment in the home and family life which included natural human theater arts. And thus the adventure into children’s education began!
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