Incorporating Value Affirmation and Reflection Exercises in Instruction

Description

Incorporating Value Affirmation and Reflection Exercises in Instruction
3 In-service Credits/ 45 hours Instructor: Valerie Hanley  September 1-30, October 1-30, November 1-30, December 1-30

Supporting the social and emotional health of all learners is the key to creating a classroom environment and culture that makes meaningful and lasting learning and academic growth and success possible. In this course, participants will learn how to incorporate value affirmation and reflection exercises in instruction in simple and creative ways. Value affirmation exercises are directed at affirming values that are central to the individual and cultural identities. The benefits to academic performance, self-esteem, STEM skills, critical inquiry skills, and the overall classroom environment and culture are significant. In addition, instruction that incorporates value affirmation and reflection exercises provide teachers and students with the chance to learn more about their own and each other’s individual and cultural identities and backgrounds.

Through research activities, self-assessments, collaboration with other course participants and groups in your local school community, participants will have the opportunity to create value affirmation and reflection exercises that will transform the classroom culture, support all learners, and boost academic performance. Participants will be required to create and share surveys; design activities and lesson plans; collaborate with other course participants and colleagues; evaluate the impact of the resources, lessons, or activities they create; and reflect on how value affirmation and reflection exercises change teaching and learning in meaningful and lasting ways.

This course is relevant to all who work in schools with children ages in both regular and special education settings. This course has been designed for all school administrators, regular and special education teachers (grades K-12 and ages 5 to 21), special area teachers (gym, art, music, technology) school psychologists, school counselors, guidance counselors, social workers, speech and language therapists or speech pathologists and occupational or physical therapists.