June 2020

Social Justice in the Classroom? How?

With all that is happening right now with the Black Lives Matter movement around the world… we want to take this time to pay our respect to all those being affected.

As educators, we have the privilege to empower our students to stand up for what they believe in, stay relevant with global issues and practice empathy.

Here is an interesting article we found:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherrim/2020/06/04/how-student-activism-shaped-the-black-lives-matter-movement/#2a6d7fef4414

Identity Politics: Friend or Foe? | Othering & Belonging Institute

Lets take a walk…

We are fortunate enough to have Steve McGinley as our Inquiry Instructor (UBC EDUC 452B) this past year. Recently, we had an asynchronous activity that proved to be enriching – and useful, for us to add to our Best Practices.

Psst…. here is the secret… this is a mindfulness activity for YOU and adaptable for your future STUDENTS.

Activity follows:

Guiding Questions

  • What values guide the professional lives of teachers?

Asynchronous Activities to complete:

Task #1

Task #2 

  1. Complete: A Walking Curriculum activity – teacher professionalism  (Links to an external site.)
  1. Explore/play – Go out for a walk in your local community
  2. TODAY’S REFLECTION – What values guide the professional lives of teachers?
  3. Discover five types of tree or plant around campus/home/your community that appeal to you on the grounds they remind you of professional values that you have come to appreciate as important in the lives of educators.
  4. Next Class, you will be asked to share:

(a) describe the tree/plant or object in particular detail, perhaps with a photograph, drawing or verbal depiction,

(b) make connections to the professional (‘heroic’) value that the tree/plant represents for you, connect this to TPI #2 reflection in task #1 above.

(c) explain the importance of that value to a robust sense of professional life, and

(d) discuss where you have seen (or wish you had seen) this value enacted in your experience as either a teacher or a student.

Task #3 – Post your short reflection and picture on the discussion page to share next class.

 

“My daily routine is off…”

INTERMITTENT FASTING

If you have not heard this term yet – well what is it really about?

Intermittent fasting (IF) is an eating pattern that focuses primarily when you eat – now obviously, what you eat is equally as important but we want to talk to you about how this type of eating pattern can potentially help you with getting back on track with your schedule!

To read more about the potential benefits of Intermittent Fasting check out this article (available through UBC Library – just enter the title):

  • de Cabo, R., & Mattson, M. P. (2019). Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Health, Aging, and Disease. New England Journal of Medicine381(26), 2541-2551.

A common IF technique is the “16/8” method. This is where you choose a specific 8 hour time frame, where you can eat and then fast for 16 hours. For example, “I will allow myself to eat from 11 A.M. to 7 P.M. and fast from 7 P.M. until the next day. This is the recommended guideline; however, you can adjust these windows accordingly to what works for you – especially when you are changing a habit it takes times! Don’t be too hard on yourself if you cannot fulfill the full 16 hour fast… start off gradually (i.e.: 10 to 12 to 14 etc.)

As well, we wanted to mention this because this eating pattern can help you start reflecting about what you eat. What foods do you want to and should consume? What will make you feel full but is also nutritious? Click here for an introduction foods that keep you full!

Lastly, intermittent fasting can help you set your routine back on track and hold you accountable in balancing your other responsibilities. All of us are experiencing many changes to our routines – especially – our work from home and life balance. Just because we can be in the comforts of our own homes more … doesn’t neglect that we need to remain conscious of our decisions surrounding health.

p.s. This is only a recommendation; we respect and understand that you have your own values about health.

 

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