Making the Most of Transitions: Celebrating the End of the School Year and New Beginnings
Here in New England schools are wrapping up for the year. Over the past few weeks I have been working with a number of local schools to facilitate transition activities such as “
Dominoes, Match Game Cards, and Other Simple Tools to Engage Your Groups From the Moment They Walk in the Door
A number of group facilitators and teachers who visit my site asked about the pictures of dominoes they have seen in some of my workshop and classroom activity photo albums. Per th
Harnessing the Power of Play to Teach
To be playful and serious at the same time defines the ideal mental condition.- John Dewey Play, Brain R
Creating Context, Inspiring Inquiry, and Building Community: Another Variation of Trade and Share
In today’s post I share another example of using this group building and dialogue activity to create context, inspire inquiry into a subject, and facilitate formative assessment.
Variations of the “Trade and Share” Activity to Explore Academic Content
In my past two posts I explored an active dialogue activity “Trade and Share” that can be used as a rapport builder, and for reflection. In the next couple of posts I am offeri
Using Metaphor to Reflect Upon the Strengths of Group Members
As discussed in the February 2013 article, using postcards, image cards and objects are powerful ways to spark introductory conversations and initiate meaningful individual and gro
Trade and Share: An Active Reflection and Dialogue Activity to Get Participants Moving, Talking, Reflecting and Keep Them Engaged
Over the last couple of years I’ve posted about a number of twists on activities traditionally used as icebreakers that I re-purpose as active, social approaches to reflection, p
From the Archive: The Disappearance of Neighborhood “Pick Up” Games and the Importance of Collaborative Learning
In my work with students of all ages in a variety of schools and treatment programs, I notice that many increasingly seem to struggle with group communication, decision-making, and
Can a Lecture Be Experiential?
This article was originally posted in the fall of 2010. Over the past couple of years I have continued to explore this subject. Here is the updated post: While in graduate school,
A Favorite Collaborative Problem Solving Challenge: Fill the Crate
A few weeks ago I posted a picture on Facebook of a group of teachers engaged in one of my favorite problem-solving activities. I received a number of queries asking more about thi
Co-Facilitation
Those whose work requires that they lead groups with other people often share that co-facilitation is one of the most challenging aspects of their jobs, but also the most beneficia
Attitude is Everything: Latest Facilitator’s Toolbox Article from ACCT’s Parallel Lines Newsletter
Group participants truly respond—even subconsciously—to a facilitator’s attitudes, demeanor, and expectations. We often communicate more than we realize with our body languag
Our Newest Resource “Quotables” Hot Off the Press! Try Them Out and Give Us Your Feedback.
In past posts I have emphasized both the importance of engaging learners from the first few moments they enter the classroom or group space and the value of blending reflection or
Group Building, Problem-Solving and Academic Review: Zoom and other Sequencing Challenges
Interactive approaches to practicing, recalling, reviewing and discussing academic material such as this one increase engagement. According to new research on the brain and learni
Another Brain-Friendly Strategy for Blending Community Building, Academic Review and Social-Emotional Learning: Charades Race
This time of year many of us are returning to the classroom or kicking off training programs. We often start by facilitating community/team building activities with groups to buil
Inspiring Articles, Podcasts, Books & Blogs on Engagement, Learning & the Brain
As readers of this blog know I am excited about new research on the brain and learning and the links between the emerging field of educational neuroscience and experiential learnin
Engage Learners From the Moment They Walk in the Door
Think back to your most memorable learning experiences, the courses you enjoyed, and the teachers you found effective. How did they start off their classes or workshop sessions? Ho
