Hello Friends,
“There are two types of education. One should teach us how to make a living, and the other how to live.” -J. Adams
I have always loved this quote, because it reminds us that both types of education are equally important. TNSM’s commitment to teaching the “whole child” is another connection to this same theme. Math without context becomes less interesting. However, when children come to understand mathematics as a type of language that can explain how bridges are built, rockets are launched, or how planets orbit, then these two types of education merge into skill development. The knowledge gained will be useful for many careers while also building life skills rooted in an appreciation of beauty and the joy that comes from unveiling the hidden language of the universe.
TNSM teachers are always trying to help build these bridges between skills that will be helpful in a work environment and the skills that make life worth living i.e., gratitude, a sense of awe, a love and curiosity for how the universe operates, and understanding our role within it.
I recently came across a blog on the American Montessori Society’s website about how we can use current events to help teach valuable concepts and tools to our children and students. As an educator, I found the tips and insights helpful and related to the blending of these two types of education. Current event conversations can provide opportunities to give context to geography, civics, history, and science.
Discussing reliable news over dinner or during your drive, helps to model how to have calm conversations around topics that elicit strong emotions. According to CASEL, (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) there are 5 core components to social-emotional learning: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Age-appropriate current event news helps parents and teachers to ask meaningful questions, look at topics from different perspectives and deepens our empathy. Current events also help us ease into conversations around more challenging topics to better understand the interior lives of our children. What a great way to cultivate the core components of social-emotional learning!
Here is a link to 10 kid-friendly news sites.
I hope each of you has an amazing weekend filled with great conversations!
P.S.
Here is a Q&A ZOOM gathering led by representatives from CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the National Foundation of Infectious Disease on Monday, Dec. 20th. We thought you might be interested.
Voices For Vaccines is hosting a live Q&A via Zoom on Monday, December 20 with Patsy Stincfhield, NFID president and ACIP member. Please encourage people in your networks to register and attend– especially any vaccine hesitant contacts.
The meeting will be at 2:30 pm EST.
Register for this meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkde2tpzwpE9O57e11e1W_RHVZ30_n4BoL