The Playful Classroom : The Power of Play for All Ages

Shows Teachers How And Why They Should Bring Play Into The Classroom To Make Learning Meaningful, Relevant, And Fun. Research Studies Show That All Students—young And Old, Rich And Poor, Urban And Rural—benefit Immensely From Classrooms Filled With Art, Creativity, And Laughter. Fun, Playfulness, Creative Thinking, And Individual Expression Reinforce Positive Experiences, Which In Turn Lead To More Engaged Students, Better Classroom Environments, And Successful Learning Outcomes. Designed For K-12 Educators, The Playful Classroom Describes How Teachers Can Develop A Playful Mindset For Giving Students Meaningful, Relevant And Fun Learning Experiences. This Unique Real-world Guide Provides You With Everything You Need To Incorporate Engaging, Hands-on Lessons And Creative Activities, Regardless Of The Level And Subject You Teach. Building On Contemporary And Seminal Works On Learning Theory And Play Pedagogy, The Authors Explain How To Inspire Your Students By Bringing Play. Into Your Classroom. This Clear, User-friendly Guide Supplies Practical Strategies And Effective Solutions For Adding The Missing Ingredients To Your Classroom Culture. Access To The Authors’ Companion Website Provides Videos, Learning Experiences, And Downloadable Teaching And Learning Resources. Packed With Relatable Humor, Proven Methods, And Valuable Insights, This Book Enables You To: Provide Meaningful Experiences That Will Benefit Students Both In School And Later In Life Combine The Principles Of Play With Traditional Curricula To Encourage Creative Learning Promote Trust, Collaboration, And Growth In Students Develop A Playful Mindset For Bringing The Arts Into Every Lesson Foster Critical Thinking In Any School Community The Playful Classroom: The Power Of Play For All Ages Is A Must-have Resource For K-12 Educators, Higher Education Professionals, And Readers Looking For Education-based Professional Development And Training Resources. Cover 1 Title Page 7 Copyright 8 Dedication 9 Contents 11 Foreword 19 About the Authors 23 Acknowledgments 25 Introduction: In order for the PLAYFUL Classroom to become a reality, there are some foundational beliefs that always matter. 27 Section 1 The Case for Play Play: designs the future. Trains, planes, and automobiles of today were the kids’ cardboard creations of yesterday. 33 Chapter 1 Hey y’all! (yes, all y’all) 35 Defining PLAY 36 Chapter 2 Play as a Behavior 39 Chapter 3 Play as a Mindset 43 Imagination 43 Sociability 45 Humor 47 Spontaneity 48 Wonder 50 Chapter 4 Benefits of PLAY 52 Brain Benefits 52 Academic Benefits 52 Creative Benefits 53 Social Benefits 53 The Playful Mindset 56 Chapter 5 Excuses 57 Excuse 1: It’s Not Part of My Standards 57 Excuse 2: Administrators Won’t Allow It 61 Excuse 3: I Don’t Have Time 62 Excuse 4: Play Isn’t on “the Test” 64 Excuse 5: Life Isn’t Always Fun 66 Chapter 6 Reframing PLAY 68 Section 2 Play Inspires Creativity: Creativity Inspires Play 75 Chapter 7 Friday Afternoons and Monday Mornings 77 Taking Risks with a Full Toolbox 78 Creativity Is Not the Degree to Which You Can Create Art 79 Lookin’ with Fresh Eyes 80 Chapter 8 Begin with the Experience 85 Draw Your Own Lines. Insert Your Own Squiggle. 86 Chapter 9 Variations on Play in the Classroom 88 Chapter 10 Creativity as Discovery and Invention 92 Careful, Though 94 Authenticity 94 Flow 95 A Question About Flow in Schools 96 Chapter 11 Make Time for What Matters 97 Intermission: A Story 98 Plan, Do, Review 99 A Creativity Disclaimer 100 Student Choice 100 “Nothing Worth Doing Is Easy” 102 Chapter 12 Finding Balance 103 It’s OK to Not Have All the Answers 104 Failure 105 Play Is for All Ages 108 Wrapping It Up 110 Section 3 Play Builds Trust: Trust Builds Opportunities for Play 113 Chapter 13 Play Builds Trust 115 Chapter 14 Don’t Sit and Get 117 Benefits of Physical Play 121 Physical Play Improves Our Intellectual Capacity 121 Physical Play Builds Emotional Intelligence 122 Physical Play Helps Us Build Friendships 122 Physical Play Develops Our Moral Character 123 Physical Play Promotes Physical Wellness 123 Physical Play Is a Catalyst for Joy 123 Chapter 15 A Story about Trust 125 Chapter 16 Administrators Must Trust . . . 133 Chapter 17 Teachers Can Trust . . . 137 Chapter 18 Parents Can Trust . . . 144 Newsletters 144 Positive Phone Calls 145 Sneak a Peek 145 Parent Play Days 146 Chapter 19 Students Already Trust . . . 147 Section 4 Play Builds Relationships: Relationships Are Strengthened Through Play 149 Chapter 20 Our Biological Predilection 151 A Conversation 151 Hunter-Gatherers: We’re More Alike Than You Think 153 A Story About Cats 157 Chapter 21 The Impact of the GERM 159 Chapter 22 Love First, Teach Second 162 Confession 165 Chapter 23 Play Personalities 168 The Joker 170 The Kinesthete 171 The Explorer 172 The Competitor 172 The Director 173 The Collector 173 The Artist/Creator 173 The Storyteller 174 Play Personality Type Quiz 175 Chapter 24 The Theme Park Experience 178 Smile 179 Say Their Name 179 Make Others Feel Important—and Do It Sincerely 180 Chapter 25 Learning with Them, Alongside Them 181 Fire and Brimstone 181 Authenticity 182 The Relationship Epilogue 186 Section 5 Play Builds Community: Communities Are Strengthened When We Play 187 Chapter 26 Relevance and the Four-Legged Stool 189 Chapter 27 Fostering a Sense of Belonging 195 Bravery Badges 196 Chapter 28 Getting to Know Students Personally 199 Play Reveals Thinking 201 Play Strengthens Social Skills 202 Play Creates Connections 203 Chapter 29 Supporting Academic Success 204 Feedback for Growth, Not Grades 206 Scores and Career Goals 210 Chapter 30 Knowing Students’ Names 213 Greeting Students 214 Build a Playful Community 215 Nicknames 215 Build a Playful Community 216 Cheering for One Another 216 Build a Playful Community 217 Chapter 31 Creating Interesting and Applicable Lessons 218 Chapter 32 Beyond the Red School Door 222 Chapter 33 Across the Country, and Around the World 227 Global School Play Day 227 Global Read Aloud 228 Global Maker Day 229 Section 6 Play Nurtures Growth: Growth Shapes Our Play 231 Chapter 34 The Truth About Success 233 Blubber and a Little Grit 236 Chapter 35 Encourage a Spirit of Growth 239 Chapter 36 Your Brain, an Infomercial 243 Your Brain Makes an Oops 244 Wait, So What About Tests? What About Grades? 245 Learning Thresholds? 246 The Power of Our Words 248 Chapter 37 Creating a Culture of Growth Through Play 249 Modeling Inquiry with a WISH 251 Playful Communication and Collaboration 252 Multiple Playful Paths 252 Accessible Play 255 Playful Curricular Integration 256 The Language of Playful Teaching 257 Play Is Valued as a Way to Assess Learning 259 Chapter 38 A Lesson of Play: Nurturing Growth for an Administrator 262 The Playful Mindset 266 Section 7 Get Out There and Play! 269 Chapter 39 The Playful Mindset 271 The Playful Mindset 272 Chapter 40 Look for Playful Moments (Awareness) 274 Challenge #1 Bravery Badges 274 Challenge #2: Determine the Play Personality Types in My Class. Use That Information to Invite Comfortable Play for All 275 Challenge #3 Celebrate the Random 278 Challenge #4 Follow and Interact with Playful Educators Online 279 Chapter 41 Time, Space, Opportunity (Intentionality) 280 Challenge #5 Gather Ye Rosebuds, Errr . . . Tools for Play 280 Challenge #6 Rethink the Rules with Game Adaptations 281 Challenge #7 Take a Walk “Art”side 282 Challenge #8 Musical Chair Mashup 283 Chapter 42 Play, Mess Up, Learn, Repeat (Process) 284 Challenge #9 Breakout EDU 284 Challenge #10 Play-Doh Elephant Challenge 284 Challenge #11 Card House Challenge 285 Challenge #12 Awesome Squiggles/Virtual Valentines/Gingerbread Communities 286 Gingerbread Communities 286 Awesome Squiggles 286 Virtual Valentine Exchange 287 Chapter 43 The More We Play, the More Playful We Become (Habit) 288 Challenge #13 Reflect on the Language in Your Classroom 288 Challenge #14 Sculpt and Scoot!!!! 290 Challenge #15 How Did You Play to Learn Today? 290 Challenge #16 Play History Analysis 291 Chapter 44 Play Makes You Happy. Happy People Play. (Results) 292 Challenge #17 Host a Tiny Art Show 292 Challenge #18 Tape Art Museum 292 Challenge #19 Destination Learning 293 Challenge #20 Make a Mark 293 Chapter 45 Get Out There and Play 295 Appendix A Southernisms and Their Meanings 297 Introduction 297 Section 1 298 Section 2 299 Section 3 300 Section 4 300 Section 5 301 Section 6 302 Section 7 302 Appendix B The Playful Classroom Teacher’s Reading Guide 303 References 305 Index 309 EULA 317 "The Playful Classroom offers a fresh perspective on the traditional classroom and will equip, encourage, and empower educators of all levels to provide relevant, meaningful, and fun experiences to their students through a playful mindset. The authors believe bringing play into the classroom positively contributes to creativity, trust, relationships, community, and growth. Building on current and seminal works in learning theory and play pedagogy, this book is a tapestry, intentionally weaving both pragmatic and creative lenses. The ideals that are essential to great teaching transcend time. It's not the technology, it's not the latest gimmick, it's not the biggest, shiniest school or the amount of applause for your work. This book offers practical strategies and solutions for the educator who knows something is missing in their classroom culture. Additional resources such as video and downloadable resources will be available for educators on the authors' websites"-- Provided by publisher "The Playful Classroom offers a fresh perspective on the traditional classroom and will equip, encourage, and empower educators of all levels to provide relevant, meaningful, and fun experiences to their students through a playful mindset. The authors believe bringing play into the classroom positively contributes to creativity, trust, relationships, community, and growth. Building on current and seminal works in learning theory and play pedagogy, this book is a tapestry, intentionally weaving both pragmatic and creative lenses. The ideals that are essential to great teaching transcend time. It's not the technology, it's not the latest gimmick, it's not the biggest, shiniest school or the amount of applause for your work. This book offers practical strategies and solutions for the educator who knows something is missing in their classroom culture. Additional resources such as video and downloadable resources will be available for educators on the authors' websites"-- Résumé de l'éditeur