Inquiry Learning: Parent Workshop

On 4th April, we held a parent workshop on Inquiry Learning.

Purpose of workshops:

• to show that Inquiry is authentic and is about deep thinking

• to unpack the Inquiry process
• to encourage conversations about learning to continue at home.

Positive Teaching Practices/ Institute of Positive Education

• Overview of positive psychology drawing specific links to how the emerging science can inform and underpin best-practice pedagogy.
• Exploring key research and the impact of positive relationships, positive accomplishments, positive emotions, positive health, positive engagement, positive purpose and the character strengths. 

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Jigsaw Activity: Research about positive emotions

Inquiry Parent Evening Overview

Positive Education Meetings 25th March and 11th April

Prior to session: "There is a little bit of homework for before Monday which is to read the 3 docs attached here. One is on Positive Emotion, Positive Engagement and Positive Purpose. We will be selecting groups based on which domain draws you in the most, so have a careful read of each. (These readings are also on slides 11-13 of the Pos Ed PLD 2019 Presentation and we will be getting you paper copies as well.)"

Plan:

1) (5 minutes) On slides 7 and 8 we will spend 5 minutes reflecting on the music and pos Emotion goals we set.

2) (45 minutes for steps 2 and 3) We will be getting into 3 self-selected (based on interest) mixed groups to reflect on the domain you have chosen, thinking practically about:
*What are we already doing that fits in this domain in each area of the school? *What do we want to be doing?
*What do we want to keep doing?
*What character strengths might fit well to be explicitly taught?
*How will we measure our success with learners?

3) Like some of us did last year, with our UDL PD, each mixed group will choose a way to put this information into a presentation--you might like photos, drawings, etc to share back with your teaching teams. You may need to read more for ideas.

4) Come back together and talk about what the next session will look like.

Outcomes

• For new(er) teachers to gain an understanding of the Positive Education model (this will be supported by leadership) and older ones to consolidate their knowledge

• For all staff to take leadership in a domain of positive education within areas, furthering their own progression on the learn it, live it, teach it, embed it line

• All staff to be active learners with choice and voice

Next Steps:

Introduction to Positive Education/ Institute of Positive Education

Introduction to Positive Education Workshops

Jessica Taylor

• Learning to Flourish
• Exploring Character Strengths
• Exploring the six domains of Positive Education
• Learn it, live it, teach it, embed it

Jenny: 

My ‘aha!’ Moment was the ‘you can’t stop the waves but you can learn how to surf’ phrase.. it really spoke to me.

Also the discussion around positive purpose being based on individual morals - For instance it might not be about doing something for others. I hadn’t really considered that before.

I liked the idea of using a model of a ‘level up’ for teaching children about failure. I can think about a number of kids in my base group who that could really speak to!!

James: 

I really liked the idea of Positive Psychology being a progression from Traditional Psychology. With traditional psychology being reactive to mental illness, Pos-Psy (as I like to call it) aims to be preventative.

Gillian: