Participate in the Global Read Aloud - It's Starting Soon!

The Global Read Aloud started in 2010 when a teacher named Pernille Ripp set out to connect students with the world through reading. Since then, the program has reached more than four million students from over 80 countries.

What is it?

During a 6 week period spanning from October to November, participants pick from set list of books to read aloud to students. Using those books as a catalyst, students make as many global connections as they can. There is no set way to connect with others, but many teachers use tech tools like Facebook, Padlet (see my previous post about Padlet), Skype, Edublogs, and Twitter (see my previous post about Twitter) to facilitate communication. Of course, you get more information about making these connections once you sign up to participate on the site. Imagine Skyping with a classroom in Singapore to engage in a debate about a book's conflicts! Wouldn't it be cool to collaborate on a Padlet board with a classroom in Brazil about how you connected to a story's main character?

When does it start, how do I learn more, and what books are on this year's list?

The 2018 GRA starts very soon: October 1! If you are interested in learning more or perhaps want to participate, head over to the event's main webpage to sign up. This year's books are listed on GRA's blog - they include picture books, early readers, middle readers, and a Young Adult choice.

Why is it important for students to make global connections?

 

The term "Global Competency" gets thrown around a lot when we hear talk of "21st Century Skills." And now as technology makes our world smaller and smaller, recent news headlines only remind us that we can run into trouble if we don't consider others' perspectives, communicate well, and make compassionate decisions. A 2016 article from the Harvard Graduate School of Education titled, "How to Thrive in the 21st Century" makes the argument that informed citizens with strong intra- and interpersonal competencies will be the ones who can make the most positive global change.

More questions about the Global Read Aloud? Head over to the extensive FAQ page on the GRA site!

Mindfulness Tools to Make it Though September

Since I've been a teacher for most of my professional life, the months of September and October are known to me as "the doldrums." I pretty much go underwater for these months because I'm so swamped with back-to-school tasks.

I know I'm not alone in this struggle.

This summer I was lucky enough to take an online Mindfulness course for educators through Mindful Schools. Practicing mindfulness allowed me to learn strategies I can use to get the space I need in a hectic day to slow down and breathe. I know, I know - "mindfulness" has become a big buzzword in schools and I fully admit that have been skeptical of the hype surrounding it. As with any new education trend, I try to adopt it with open-minded skepticism, and not treat it as a "cure all" for all of my teacherly frustrations.

This article focuses solely on mindfulness resources for teachers since that's what I'm most comfortable writing about. Also, it's important to take care of yourself before you attempt to care for others... there's an airplane oxygen mask metaphor in there somewhere...

Here are 5 mindfulness resources to get you started:

1. Calm

This subscription-based app (available for iOS, Android & Kindle Fire devices) promotes guided mediation centered around a variety of topics, such as relaxing before sleep, forgiveness, gratitude, and more. It is feature-rich and simple to use. There is also a free educator subscription available - yay!

2. Headspace

Headspace is a subscription-based app (available for iOS & Android devices) that provides daily guided meditation focusing on a variety of topics - from "Basics" to more specific sessions like "Panicking," "Pain" and more. I personally really like Andy Puddicome's voice (he's the creator of Headspace) which is ultimately why I decided to sign up for the $79/year subscription. I know, I know... The app looks sleek and is easy to use.

3. Smiling Mind

This non-profit organization from Australia works to make mindfulness accessible to all. They offer a totally free and feature-rich mediation app, as well as a mindfulness curriculum for parents and educators. They focus on mindfulness in the workplace, in education, and for adults.

4. Three Good Things: A Happiness Journal

Three Good Things is a very simple digital happiness journal that you can keep on your phone (and it's free!). Every day, it prompts you to record three things that went well in your day, in 100 characters or less. This app is great way to divert some of your mindless phone browsing energy towards a daily gratitude practice.

 

 

 

 

5. 5 Minute Escapes

This free app (available for iOS & Android devices) uses music, sound effects, and guided visualizations in its short guided meditations. You can "escape" to placed like "Tropical Island" and "Desert Night Sky." The free features are limited, however, and it cost about $8 to unlock all features.




Trying out one of these mindfulness resources or absolutely love one that I haven't mentioned? Leave a comment below!