Hi friends,
Today’s Education Blog by DUO Inspirations isn’t going to be about anything academic. It may be argued that the topic of today’s post is meant for parents alone. However, colleges teach courses on communication strategies and tactics, why not think that elementary schools or high schools can do the same? Also, communication is an important skill that many of us are not taught, because our parents didn’t think of it or didn’t have the skill themselves. I don’t mean just talking and saying words. I am talking about healthy and effective ways to speak. Often, we don’t know or think about how we say something. Although, most of us tend to recognize that two people will ask for basically the same thing in two different ways and one person will get it and the other not. Communication isn’t just the words we speak, but also the tones, mannerisms, behaviors, and all that goes with them. Some teachers and parents may already do this, but I think that teaching healthy and effective communication skills to children should be a widespread and integral part of any upbringing and schooling. Even very young children, if put in a way that is at their level, will understand that the need to communicate in a healthy and effective way. Role-playing in conjunction with some basic conversation might be helpful. For, example, if you first role-play shrieking, trying to grab something, saying, “Give me _____. I want it!” Then, you role-play, saying in a nice, warm tone of voice, “I would like the ___________. Could you give it to me, please?” Many times, a child will understand that the latter is kinder and will more times than not be more effective than the former. Even a young child will understand that it “feels” better, even if he or she really can’t understand or communicate why it feels better. Young children can sense, if not understand, that it “feels” better to have someone speak with you in a kind and pleasant voice with kind words than to have someone try to grab at you and shriek at you in a loud and unpleasant voice with unkind words. Healthy and effective communication includes many things and this is only a very basic and general point on just one part of it. However, I hope it is enough to get you thinking of the importance and viability of teaching it to people from a very young age through all ages. Now, it is your turn. Do you teach healthy and effective communication skills as part of your class or homeschooling? What are some things that are encompassed in healthy and effective communication skills? At what age do you feel healthy and effective communication should be taught? Do you think that healthy and effective communication should be taught in school as a course, in the home, both, etc.? Would you like an entire blog series on teaching healthy and effective communication to children? I look forward to your thoughts. Thank you for being here. I appreciate your kindness and support. If you find value in the Education Blog, please share it with family, friends, and coworkers, so they may find value as well. Also if you haven't done so already, please consider signing up below to receive the Education Blog and other education topics in your inbox. Thank you. Please note: Education Blog by DUO Inspirations has been weekly up to this point. My plan at the moment is to go from weekly to first and third Wednesdays through July or August. At that point, I will re-evaluate the situation and see what the most effective use of my time seems to be and how I can bring you the most value. Please, keep me and that focus in your prayers. Also, if you have questions, comments, or suggestions, as well as requests for specific topics, products, or services, please feel free to comment or contact me. Thank you.
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Hi friends, I hope you are well. Today, I would like to speak about transitions. Transitions are often a forgotten part of lesson planning and a source of much wasted time. However, it doesn’t have to be like that. Transitions can be just as productive and educational as planned learning time. Yes, you do a great job of planning lessons for all your classes? The activities are helpful and students are productive. Yet, transitions are chaotic, noisy, and wasted time. You aren’t sure why. I can tell you! You haven’t planned or taught a procedure for a smooth, educational, or productive transition. Transitions need to be treated just like an actual class. Learning time is being wasted, if you don’t. Yes. I know, you do enough planning with the classes and the students need down time anyway. I agree. However, they don’t have to be a free for all and chaotic time. Transitions need planning and procedures just like regular classes. They don’t need to be elaborate. Transition procedures can be as simple as clean up your space, put away your things, get ready for the next activity, jump up and down in place ten times, sit back down quietly, and whisper with your partner. Transitions can involve reciting the alphabet or multiplication facts (depending on age) as students are cleaning their space. You could put on some instrumental music and let students talk quietly until they hear the music stop. Another strategy I have used during transitions before is to say something like, “I want you to clean your area, put away your things, and line up before I count down from 20. It must be quiet until you have things picked up. If you finish before I do, you can either jump up and down in line or talk quietly with a friend next to you in line. Ready, 20, 19, 18… make sure you push in your chair… 17, 16, 15, it should be quiet still, 14, 13, 12… don’t forget to check under your desk and chair, 11, 10, 9… you are talking quietly with a friend or jumping up and down in line in a safe space if you are done, 8, 7, 6, we should be almost ready, 5, 4, 3… get in line… 2, 1, 0. We should be in line, quiet, and ready to go. And, we are. Thank you.” Transitions may be different for each class and each subject. The important thing is to have a planned procedure with clear expectations for transitions. Teach the procedures to students from the very beginning and make rules and participation count for those as well. As you are planning for transitions, you may want to have a “quiet” transition procedure and a “not so quiet” transition. That way, if something comes up and students need to be very quiet or you are busy and can’t count backwards or participate in the procedure, students still know what to do and what is expected. Also, if the lesson involves a “not so quiet” activity, you may want to have a “quiet” transition or vice versa. Just remember, that students do need both “quiet” time and “not so quiet” time. They can’t be expected to be quiet for the entire school day. So, it may take a little extra planning, but you will find that it will be well worth it. Your transitions will be smoother and more productive if they are well planned out and taught with high expectations. What are your transition plans, rules, and routines? I would like to see and learn from you. Thank you. Please note, if you would like to get the Education Blog by DUO Inspirations in your inbox, you are free to sign up below. You may also get exclusive information and resources from time to time. Thank you. 
Hi. I am Jodi Desautels, owner of DUO Inspirations, a Christian and life-long learner, who knows the importance of education. Even more so, I know the importance of education and wisdom in God’s eyes. This initial education blog post is to introduce myself, my background in education, my views on education, some biblical points on education, and my business goals in education.
Who is Jodi Desautels? I am a Christian, a daughter, a mother, a sister, and a wife. I am other things as well, such as: a cousin, an aunt, a friend, a comforter, an author, an educator, and an encourager. I enjoy both teaching and learning, and continually seek to be a better me. And, if people so desire, I help and encourage them to be better them as well. What is Jodi Desautels’ background in education? I have enjoyed learning and teaching my entire life. I can remember being upset when a friend and neighbor got to go to school before I did. When I was about six, I started teaching my younger brother. He could read and write six letter words and add and subtract three digit numbers before he went to kindergarten. For formal education, I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in elementary education. My teaching includes a variety of experience from teaching my brother when I was young, to tutoring, homeschooling my daughter, teaching religious education classes, teaching in public schools, and helping adults get their GED. I have also helped people study in personal development things such as get a driver’s license, a mariner’s license, and write a book. What are Jodi Desautels’ views on education? I believe that education is an innate desire and necessity to learn, given to us by God, because He knew it’s importance and that we would need to be educated in order to live the life He planned for us. The opportunity for learning is there since the beginning of our life. When a baby cries, he or she might learn that a parent or caregiver will come running to give comfort, give food, or change a diaper. A toddler might explore the world by looking at something, touching it, shaking it, or even chewing it. The desire to learn might dissipate if it is not nurtured or is squelched all together. And, like anything we do, teaching or learning might become more difficult if we don’t practice it. However, learning is not just for the young. People of all ages and abilities can learn. God has given us different strengths and weaknesses, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we can’t learn something. It might just mean that we have to learn in a different way or at a different pace. What are some Biblical points on education? We have probably heard about the importance of education by a parent, teacher, friend, or pastor. However, we aren’t the only authority on the importance of education. God’s word has many examples of the importance of education. *”Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 KJV) It is important to give a child the best educational foundation possible. A child may carry the successes and failures of learning, and at times even the unresolved feelings surrounding education, for the rest of his or her life. If a child is given a positive learning experience with a strong foundation of the basics, it will be easier for that person to struggle through learning the more difficult things later in life without giving up. *”Take fast hold of instruction; let [her] not go: keep her; for she [is] thy life.” (Proverbs 4:13 KJV) There are many reasons why we should embrace learning. Education is so important, that we could either be in danger or even die from the lack of it. If parents don’t tell us not to touch the stove, we might get badly burned. If we don’t learn not to eat things that are poisonous, we might die. If we don’t learn how to control our temper and express our feelings in a healthy way, we could die from a stress related illness or use violence to kill someone. If we don’t learn academic basics, it may limit our choices in getting a job and providing for our family. *”And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4 KJV) We all need to, but children especially need to, be taught in a nurturing way. Children can’t be frustrated into learning faster or in a different way than is possible for them. God is not the author of confusion and neither should we be. If a child is taught, disciplined, or spoken to in a harsh way, that child could get angry and quit trying to learn all together. *”The fear of the Lord [is] the beginning of knowledge; [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7 KJV) God is in and of all things. He is the beginning and the end of all things. His word tells us to learn. His words are the ultimate guide and instruction of life. People who have been taught and nurtured to value education will learn, however people who have not may hate to learn. There are many scriptures that show us the importance of education, of what to teach, how to teach, and how we should learn. My reason for sharing some of them is to not only tell you more about my beliefs, but to show that God is the ultimate authority on education. Don’t believe it because I say it, but because God says it. What are Jodi Desautels’ business goals in education? My goals for DUO Inspirations in education are to provide encouraging, effective education in teaching and learning through inspiration, encouragement, tips, blog posts, learning materials, teaching materials, resources, mini courses, courses, groups, tutoring, mentoring, and/or coaching. In whatever I do, it is my goal to do it with godly love and affection, in a way that will encourage and support the learner effectively. Here are a few final thoughts on Jodi Desautels, DUO Inspirations, and education: I see people struggle in education, lose hope in education, and even drop out of school, and I know that if only given a chance, I could help them learn. I have taught students of all ages and abilities. I have helped motivate high-risk students who have not been encouraged to learn. I have seen parents be thrown into situations where they need to homeschool their children, but feel unequipped to do so. I can help those as well. God has given me strengths and desires in faith, education, and creativity. Many times they may be linked together. One may need faith to instruct a difficult pupil or learn a difficult subject. Sometimes faith (or love and trust in God) itself is the subject of the education. Sometimes educators need to be creative in order to instruct a student in a way that is most effective for that student to learn. Other times, we learn through creating and doing creative things. So, DUO Inspirations is set up with these interacting and important categories in mind. I do them all with godly love and affection, and according to God’s will for me. Note: You may be wondering if I would quote the Holy Bible or push my faith on a student while tutoring. The answer is no. I am Christian and gave you an in-depth look at my beliefs and background regarding education. However, while tutoring and serving others I teach what I was asked to teach. My knowledge and behavior may reflect my Christian beliefs without wearing a cross or speaking of God. While my target audience is Christians, you don’t have to be a Christian to utilize any of the products and services here. Now, it is your turn. Let me know what you think. What are your struggles in teaching or learning? How can I help? Do you look to God to guide your educational practices? Please, comment below or contact me. I would enjoy knowing your thoughts. Also, please check out the Education page often for new information, tips, ideas, products, and services. Thank you. P.S.- If you would like to receive the Education Blog by DUO Inspirations in your inbox, please sign up below. Thank you. |
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