Videos to Enrich Your Teaching (teachers call this PD)
Dream Big
offline exercise
what you’ll need:
20-60 min (or as much time as you like)
a quiet place to think
a pen + notebook (or whatever you take notes with)
a beverage or snack
Before you begin this exercise.
Take a minute to get out of the “planning” side of your brain and dive into your imagination. Allow yourself to imagine things without thinking about if they are probable or possible. Get curious. Have fun. Don’t limit yourself or what you can envision. Dream big.
You are not here to make plans right now.
Imagine Change.
Write down one to two things you’d like to see change in your classroom in the next few years to make it more Earth-friendly. These changes could be something you are doing as a teacher or a way that the school or center operates that affects how or what you teach. You do not need to make any sort of plan or pitch to the school to make these changes. This exercise is designed to let your imagination take over for a bit. Without knowing how these changes will happen, explore imagining what they would look and feel like.
If words on the page as notes keep you stuck, then use any type of expression you wish. You could make a collage, draw, paint, or animate. Pinterest Board or compose a song. You can do anything here to feel the possibility of change.
Fantasy Field Trip.
If you could take your class or the children you work with anywhere, where would you go? What would you love to show them or have them experience. Try to think out of the box of traditional field trips. Where could you adventure to that would show them the beauty of life on our planet? Where could you go to show them human impact? Where could go to stoke their sense of curiosity and wonder?
Once again, if words on the page don’t do it for you, then express anyway you wish.
Green Grant.
Pretend your school or learning community just got a green grant for $5,000. This is funding that must be used on green and sustainable practices and projects. Where would you like to see the money go? How do you think your school can use this funding to implement Earth-friendly practices? What changes or additions do you think will benefit the children the most? Get as specific and detailed as you like.
Remember, any way you want to record these thought works!
Bonus:
You can do this as a group.
If you would like to do this exercise with other teachers or colleagues, go for it. However, make sure you set aside at least 20 minutes of quiet time for everyone, and then feel free to chat and share observations, values, and ideas.