Learning About Learning Discussion Series Spring 2013
Join us for a new Learning About Learning Discussion Series this semester featuring information-packed discussions with Katherine Koonce, Academic Dean. Our new format will be discussion-based, exploring the amazing and sometimes complicated process of learning and how our children’s learning affects our parenting. Topic descriptions along with related articles are below. In addition, you will find the topic and article each week in . Our five-session series will begin February 1 and conclude March 1. Join us for coffee at 7:45 a.m. in the elementary chapel hallway. All sessions, which are open to the entire Preschool – 12th grade community, will begin promptly at 8 a.m. and will conclude at about 9 a.m.
February 1, 2013 Mindfulness: How Mindset Can Change the Way We Learn
We are often unaware of the mindset with which we approach new experiences. Likewise, students need to be made aware of their mindsets as they approach new learning. What can we do as parents to encourage the growth mindset in a way that enables our children to meet challenges rather than avoid them and to view obstacles and even failure experiences as opportunities for growth? If you have a chance, read THIS ARTICLE for some background information and join us for a group discussion on this important topic.
February 8, 2013 Movement and Learning: Opening New Pathways in the Brain Through Exercise
Much recent research has shown that exercise has value not only for improving physical fitness but also for improving academic performance, alertness, attention, and motivation. These positive effects of aerobic movement and resistance training on brain functioning have major implications for us as parents. As we hold our children accountable for their homework, oversee their nutrition and sleep habits, and make sure they are getting enough exercise, we are helping to improve their thinking, reasoning, remembering, imagining, and learning skills as well. If you have a chance, read THIS ARTICLE for some background information and join us for a group discussion on this important topic.
February 15, 2013 Wired for Distraction: Encouraging Attention in a World of Technology
Given the fact that technology is literally everywhere in our children's lives, what do we as parents need to be aware of that will help our children focus on what's important? Because our children are digital natives, their learning needs are different from ours, and they need a different approach. We will discuss what captures, holds, and encourages attention and ways we can teach our children to prioritize their attention. If you have a chance, read THIS ARTICLE for some background information and join us for a group discussion on this important topic.
February 22, 2013 The Parent-Teacher Relationship: Working Together to Benefit Your Child
Parents and teachers alike want to enjoy a positive and collaborative relationship in which the student’s needs are the central focus. A recent New York Times article begins, “The teacher-parent relationship is a lot like an arranged marriage. Neither side gets a lot of say in the match. Both parties, however, share great responsibility for a child, which can lead to a deeply rewarding partnership or the kind of conflict found in some joint-custody arrangements.” In this session, we will discuss not only strategies to foster positive working relationships with your child’s teachers and the school administration, but also ways we as parents can serve to advocate for our children and encourage teachers at the same time. If you have a chance, read THIS ARTICLE for some background information and join us for a group discussion on this important topic.
March 1, 2013 Emotion: How Does It Affect The Way We Learn?
Childhood is a roller coaster of emotion – highs and lows, dips and turns. And the affects of emotion on a child’s learning, while sometimes positive and other times negative, is nonetheless profound. Positive emotion can open up new pathways of learning while negative emotion can close them down quickly. Our discussion on this topic will help us recognize what motivates our children and what shuts them off from learning. We’ll discuss some specific ideas to help us teach our children to understand and manage their own emotions. If you have a chance, read THIS ARTICLE for some background information and join us for a group discussion on this important topic.
Learn how to use homework to teach the 3 R's: Responsibility, Resourcefulness, and Respect by clicking HERE.
For an overview of the iLearning at CPA series session, click HERE.
Click HERE to read notes from the 21st Century Skills talk given by Katherine Koonce, Academic Dean, on November 9, 2012.
For the Powerpoint presentation featuring 21st Century Skills, please click HERE.
Click HERE to read an article, "Digital Parenting in the 21st Century".
Click HERE for the notes from November 16th's discussion, "If At First You Don't Succeed...Encouraging Resilience and Perseverance.
Click HERE for the Powerpoint presentation featuring the topic, "If At First You Don't Succeed...Encouraging Resilience and Perseverance.