#ILedchat Archive
#ILedchat is a great way for Illinois educators to share teaching strategies, educational resources, and more.
Monday January 18, 2016
10:00 PM EST
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9 pm on a Monday night! You know what that mean.... begins NOW. Get ready for a great hour of learning and sharing with
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The team (, , , & ) is glad you’re here!
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Remember to use for our chat this evening. We’ll also be posting an archive later tonight.
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We’ll be using Q1, Q2...A1, A2...to track questions & responses.
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Please introduce yourself, your role working w/students, and where you’re tweeting from tonight.
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Joe Fatheree, instructor of creativity and innovation, from Effingham High School
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Kathy here- elementary principal at home in Oswego!
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Welcome to tonight! Glad to see you here.
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Hi !! Bri, a 4th/5th gr. special ed. teacher tweeting from a very cold house tonight. Looking forward to our chat. :)
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I'm Eric from Marin, CA. MS Asst Principal, dad of 2, proponent of getting kids & adults outdoors as much as possible!
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Great to have you back in Bri! Staying warm today?
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I want to hear more about those courses you teach! They belong in every school.
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It MUST be warmer in Marin that it is here...Thanks for being with tonight!
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Randee Gertz, 6th SpEd ELA teacher, Wheeling
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Alex larson engineering teacher tweeting from sunny and warm lake zurich.
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Good to be back. Trying to stay warm (furnance isn't working right).
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Great to see you here! Thanks for playing with us tonight!
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Sitting on the lovely beach of Lake Zurich?! Thanks for being here!
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not too bad, high 50s/low 60s. has been relentless and fairly balmy this winter (we still get outdoors)!
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Ready to start with questions? Here we go...
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Q1 What is your definition of “unstructured play?” Why do you think/not think it is important for children in school and life?
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Hi pals! Looking forward to learning with you all tonight
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unstructured play is the centerpiece of lower elementary education in Finland. It provides Ss with the opp to explore creativity.
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A1: Unstructured play allows kids (& adults) to INVENT something. Rather than follow rules, we follow a train of thought...
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A1 I love seeing my kids take boxes, paper, makers, and making their own world come alive!
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A1: It's an opportunity to be creative without burdening with too many rules...kids have enough rules during the day!
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Paul\nprvlle just reading tonight.although i play with my skydiving team over the summer. Ifly chicago has a pretty cool fieldtrip
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A1 It gives encourages exploration, research, and the ability to overcome failure.
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Tuning in from Palatine! Just back from my board meeting in FL!
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Thanks for joining Paul! Great to see you!
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Sorry ...jumped in there very fast...I'm Todd, an elem principal in CA...big on next month!
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Welcome! Thanks for being here!
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A1: Unstructured play is a critical time in school & life in order to develop creative thinking, problem solving and ownership
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A1: Play is the way we discover ourselves, our passions, and our creativity. Without it we are cookie cutters.
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Thanks for joining us! Time to play with
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Awesome! Can't wait to see what you have to share!
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I agree. And they miss that time when they don't have it, even being ages 9-13.
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With elem kiddos...always worried where that train of thought might take them! ;-) https://t.co/hjUWJRTmWI
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A1: Unstructured play allows kids (& adults) to INVENT something. Rather than follow rules, we follow a train of thought...
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it's interesting that most ed policies do not see it the same way.
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Love the fact that my kids play with legos...problem is that sets have become SO STRUCTURED. Tough to invent
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1A Unstructured play promotes exploration & creativity. No rules or step by step instruction.
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Love that! We're making one of our mobile carts based on this!
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500 kids from will PLAY on 2.3.16 thanks to the of Todd! AND - we just topped 70K kids!
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A1: S created/led activity w T guidance. Imp for social interaction and Ss using creativity
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Had this problem too...bought a big bin & dumped them all in there...then dumped whole thing on a table! https://t.co/yH4AKPpeIN
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Love the fact that my kids play with legos...problem is that sets have become SO STRUCTURED. Tough to invent
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Q2 Describe a memorable formative experience YOU had with play as a kid. Why was it so powerful?
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That's great. Does your school have a genius hour? https://t.co/r9BFYPLa34
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500 kids from will PLAY on 2.3.16 thanks to the of Todd! AND - we just topped 70K kids!
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Might have to try that except it kills my feet when the boys leave a trail of creation/destruction/learning
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like JD Salinger said in "Catcher" - be the one to catch kids who've run too far astray - push them back to safety!
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So honored to be a part... grateful for amazing PLN w rockstars like who keep me in the know! https://t.co/MZkoWPncLX
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500 kids from will PLAY on 2.3.16 thanks to the of Todd! AND - we just topped 70K kids!
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some danger is good; kids pushing against conceptions of "safety" to build deeper confidence. https://t.co/vnNduprFDo
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Nicely done...a great quote from one of the best books around...WELL DONE, SIR!!
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Q2 We were given free time in kindergarten to explore, paint, draw, and build. The ability to do that with friends was powerful.
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Buy the tubs of Lego bricks and take out the instructions. :-)
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A1 Develop natural problem solving skills and creativity. Also helps with social development
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"Raise High the Roof(beams)" - don't get me started on Salinger (& puns...)! What a sensitive view of children...
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Q2 When was play structured for us as kids? A bat/ball and a field was all we needed to explore competition, equity, and fair play
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A2: I remember creating whole worlds in our backyard where trees were castles and iceplant was excellent for sliding!
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A2 When was play structured for us as kids? A bat/ball and a field was all we needed to explore competition, equity, and fair play
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A2. I remember creating the most. I loved drawing & painting at home and at school- still do!
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& I've taken to buying the big boxes of random pieces.
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A2: Lots of imaginative play - built a clubhouse w/ cousin & sister in the basement when we were kids & designed a haunted house
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A2 One memorable experience as an adult was with a at . Got to play, explore, and solve! Want to share
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a2 we all love playing with the box instead of the toy
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Unfortunately, those days are gone for a lot of Ss.
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A2 treehouse play. Digging 'bear traps' in my Aussie backyard. Jumping off stuff.
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Q3 Why is it important for older kids - and adults - to have play as a part of school, work and life?
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A2: Basketball (organized/street); learning the complexity of being part of a "living system" (Wheatley). https://t.co/UFLKC6bv2w
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Today's kids do that virtually - like on Minecraft- no quite same but still fun https://t.co/udB3eQFTVk
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Unfortunately, those days are gone for a lot of Ss.
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A2 I realized the value of practice, as my skills in sports improved through daily play w/ my dad, & with older neighborhood kids
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Deb you are just magnifying our American stereotypes of you rugged Aussies!!!
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It promotes creativity at a higher level. Q3
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A3 See my response. It was so much fun. Reinvigorated my sense of curiousity and exploration.
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Q3 I spend most of the 1st qt. Breaking down walls that inhibit creativity and innovation.
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a3 taught my 5 y.o. crazy 8's this weekend...taught her to be a good winner/loser...and everyone wins with daddy/daughter time
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So true. And they build better relationships with one another!
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A3: Here is the staff of on Day 1 PD; hiking in open space, connecting w/each other & nature! https://t.co/QRJfwvNKpA
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A3: Play allows everyone to be creative. Helps us learn to problem solve. Decreases stress.
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A3. to maintain work, life, balance. To ensure happiness. To prioritize
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A3 We have tried to introduce some play into staff mtg. Opened up school year w/ team building. Like this https://t.co/J8VFDDHXVx
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A3: To keep the fire burning & stay creative. To stay young & combat ill effects of standardized tests & taking life too serious
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. One of my faves is when my kids & their cousins have Hogwarts day. Each has to create a 'class' to teach.
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A3 Playing games brings out real emotion. Joy, frustration, teamwork, pride, anxiety - it might be when we are most human.
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A3: Leila here from Escondido. Because play brings us all joy and keeps us young at heart
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A3 Joy is fostered in playtime. It's that simple place where our mind connects inquiry, relationship & happiness to find peace
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. 2/2 They are really creative and fun; pull in so many ideas!
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Follow for the latest in education
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A3: it builds relationships & teaches social interactions
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A3: Too many educators are stressed, overworked, not HEALTHY & VIBRANT enough. We all need to take care of body/mind BETTER!
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We did a family breakout yesterday. Planning one for our next institute day. Fun with
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Q4 Give examples of how you use play as a pedagogical tool in your grade level/subject matter (ready, set, implement tomorrow!).
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We try to play an SIP day as a staff wellness day with yoga, massage, exercise, games.
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this sounds really interesting/fun, would love to learn more.
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Awesome! My competitive/playful self would love these meetings!
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no matter what age, our brain loves humor, novelty, movement, relationships and using all of our senses.
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I love that idea! We are looking at bringing yoga as a weekly component for our staff!
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I've thought about organizing lunchtime yoga. And we need to incorporate movement/walking into more mtgs!
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I am thrilled to have it as a PE class for students.
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And take a loan out for all of the locks you will buy...
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my former school also does! Teachers come in on prep to participate as well.
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No kidding! Shop around for the best deal. Garage sales!
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. And you can't deny the laughter that comes with play. So good for everyone!
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A4: Hands down one of the best ways to naturally incorporate play and sing. I highly recommend ETM https://t.co/D9C6Cadr8R
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It's the best medicine! True for me.
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A4: I use for staff meetings!
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A4: A great way to get teachers moving in staff meetings is to use ...I even volunteer to come do it in classes!
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A4Action Learning Lab-combine movement&learning in playful atmosphere,helps break thru the iceburg with many that strugglein class
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A4: haven't really implemented, but taking notes from chat and making time for it in my class
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hey have you heard of as a way to get folks moving?
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Q5 Here’s Dr. Gray’s TEDx Talk: The Decline of Play: https://t.co/UYxHfu48Zu. Is play in decline? If so, what are the effects?
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We also need to help our kids understand that failure is a powerful part of the learning process. Play helps them understand that
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One of my favorites! I also like turning teachers loose with a box of Ignites creativity & collaborative play!
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Jen has her speaker disco ball system; I don't think she has any trouble getting folks moving!
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we had the parents doing the Dino stomp at back to school nite :)
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Yep! inspired us to use it at ! I also have a mobile speaker to boot! Dance party! https://t.co/b1IFaBORcl
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hey have you heard of as a way to get folks moving?
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A5: The way our schools are built restricts movement & promotes sedentary disengagement. Do away w/desks! https://t.co/mN0ZvuoxUD
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A5 Play exists, but looks different from when we were kids. Like said, we were outdoors every day after school.
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A5 I don't feel like the desire for play is in decline, but I think the opportunity may be in decline.
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Oh, I'm stealing that! What a hoot that will be!
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A5: I believe in organized sports, however TOO much is organized & dictated. Kids are used to following directions, not CREATING.
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A5: Yes. We're replacing childhood w/ college prep & its creating stressed out kids who don't know what they are passionate about.
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get a headset mic and you can bust people in the back row 💃🏻
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Agree, there doesn't seem to be as much time to just be a kid. Why is that?
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Yes! I agree. Why is that though?
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And the ideas just keep on comin'! What else you got ?
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we also did pop see ko as our teacher act for the talent show :) flash mob style
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Q6 Quotes and images are often the most powerful way to communicate & persuade; share YOUR favorite quote and/or image about play.
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there is no FRONT to any room!! No escape from a mobile teacher/leader!
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I was actually thinking about a new hashtag:
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Agreed! unfortunatley, we have set pacing to match the # of days in the calendar.
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Don't remember a lot of curriculum in preschool & K when I was a st. Play was a big part.It's not that way today.
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. Not just about school; about what we're doing in our homes & neighborhoods.
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That is a winner...something to add to !
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Having a tough time w/ a quote or image on play?? Share one out w/the hashtag this week!!
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haha. My point was we were unlikely to catch bears. But Mum fell in one once.
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. This makes me think of when our Ethiopian daughters came home; we had to deliberately teach this.
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I have sts who tell me they don't know HOW to play...create...imgaine.
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Q7 What are your HOPES/FEARS (if any) in promoting/participating in Global School Play Day? https://t.co/mjnCGLXDff
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You raise a good point, our kids need to see adults at play! Growing with no regard for age.
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Now if only we could get more to see that & make it a priority.
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A7: I think a first step is to ask my students...what would YOU like to do on ?
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A7: My FEAR is that we'll only reach thousands, not millions (all kids need play!). My hope is that communities DEMAND !
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A7 My hope is to catch a school full of students in joyous play. My fear is play has become a lost art form for many.
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BOOM! Mic drop! (But not wireless mic drop...right ?)
https://t.co/CYuQWuwaiW
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A7: My FEAR is that we'll only reach thousands, not millions (all kids need play!). My hope is that communities DEMAND !
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A7: Fear: that my kid's school doesn't know about this and won't participate
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A7: Another HOPE: embraces as part & parcel of her efforts to get kids to be healthier! ( too)
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A7: hopes that it gives students time to be kids, & also let students let their creative juices flow
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. Important to participate & tell the story so others might learn about . I didn't know until I met !
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Illinois has over 1,400 students participating in Global School Play Day! Nice work! Wisconsin is over 1,900, though.
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Q8 In honor of MLKDay, how does play help bring about greater social justice, equity and peace?
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Now there is a challenge! Thinking I can bump IL by at least 381!
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A8 Teamwork, humility in victory, grace in defeat - although just playing for fun is cool too!
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In a school last week--4th grade PERA math pre assessment: 3 hours. Something wrong! Major loss for fun & learning!
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Can you help share the word of on 2/3? https://t.co/py3EEoc9Z5
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Illinois has over 1,400 students participating in Global School Play Day! Nice work! Wisconsin is over 1,900, though.
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Packers 1,900 Bears 1,400. Good Luck.
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