As I mentioned in “The Courage to be Playful“, human beings cannot thrive without play. They also wilt without the knowledge that they are valued, appreciated and wanted. As we enter the home stretch of the school year, we may find ourselves swinging between extremes of exhaustion… Continue Reading “Ten Tiny Ways to Grow Hope”
Posted on February 27, 2019
by Elaine Shpungin
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As you’ve probably noticed, this month’s theme has been courage. One of the origins of the word courage is the Old French “cuer,” meaning “heart.” We have marked February by opening our hearts to love and history, and by asking our hearts to take small difficult steps… Continue Reading “The Courage to Be Playful”
Category: Breaking Bread, Breaking Expectations, Breaking Fear, Breaking Formation, Breaking Habits, Breaking Ice, courage, featured, UncategorizedTags: black history quotes, conflict, courage, education, family, play, restorative, restorative practices
Posted on November 19, 2018
by Elaine Shpungin
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Download PDF version of Get Kids Involved. MORE RESOURCES FROM STORY CORPS StoryCorps Education World: lesson plans and resources to help young people: Discover the power of their own voice Learn about the importance of listening Gain empathy and understanding for people who are… Continue Reading “Get Kids Involved in Interviewing an Elder”
Category: Breaking Bread, Breaking Expectations, Breaking Fear, Breaking Ice, Breaking IsolationTags: connection, family, grandparents, interview, kids, peace, resilience, restorative practices, storycorps, thanksgiving
Posted on October 18, 2018
by Elaine Shpungin
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Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or both, parent-teacher conferences (and meetings throughout the year) do not have to be stressful. Instead, they can be an opportunity for everyone to get on the same page on how to best support our children. This… Continue Reading “2 Steps to Better Parent Teacher Meetings”
Posted on August 23, 2018
by Elaine Shpungin
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Welcome back and welcome new readers! We all (kind of) know how important relationships and community building are to our classrooms, teams, and buildings. We know strong relationships help students and faculty feel safer and more included – and are a vital part of… Continue Reading “Build Community Faster With These 5 First Week Activities”