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.

List of contents

Foreword xvii
 
About the Authors xxi
 
Acknowledgments xxiii
 
Introduction xxv
 
In order for the PLAYFUL Classroom to become a reality, there are some foundational beliefs that always matter.
 
Section 1 The Case for Play
 
Play designs the future. Trains, planes, and automobiles of today were the kids' cardboard creations of yesterday.
 
1 Hey y'all! (yes, all y'all) 3
 
Defining PLAY 4
 
2 Play as a Behavior 7
 
3 Play as a Mindset 11
 
Imagination 11
 
Sociability 13
 
Humor 15
 
Spontaneity 16
 
Wonder 18
 
4 Benefits of PLAY 20
 
Brain Benefits 20
 
Academic Benefits 20
 
Creative Benefits 21
 
Social Benefits 21
 
The Playful Mindset 24
 
5 Excuses 25
 
Excuse 1: It's Not Part of My Standards 25
 
Excuse 2: Administrators Won't Allow It 29
 
Excuse 3: I Don't Have Time 30
 
Excuse 4: Play Isn't on "the Test" 32
 
Excuse 5: Life Isn't Always Fun 34
 
6 Reframing PLAY 36
 
Section 2 Play Inspires Creativity
 
Creativity Inspires Play
 
Remember when you needed a tent, but had no tent? You found chairs and blankets and made one. You played and solved a problem through critical thinking using the materials you had.
 
7 Friday Afternoons and Monday Mornings 45
 
Taking Risks with a Full Toolbox 46
 
Creativity is Not the Degree to Which You Can Create Art 47
 
Lookin' with Fresh Eyes 48
 
8 Begin with the Experience 53
 
Draw Your Own Lines. Insert Your Own Squiggle. 54
 
9 Variations on Play in the Classroom 56
 
10 Creativity as Discovery and Invention 60
 
Careful, Though 62
 
Authenticity 62
 
Flow 63
 
A Question About Flow in Schools 64
 
11 Make Time for What Matters 65
 
Intermission: A Story 66
 
Plan, Do, Review 67
 
A Creativity Disclaimer 68
 
Student Choice 68
 
"Nothing Worth Doing is Easy" 70
 
12 Finding Balance 71
 
It's OK to Not Have All the Answers 72
 
Failure 73
 
Play is for All Ages 76
 
Wrapping It Up 78
 
Section 3 Play Builds Trust
 
Trust Builds Opportunities for Play
 
. . . in ourselves, students, parents, colleagues, and administration.
 
If we constantly doubt one another's abilities, motives, judgments, and qualifications, how can we move forward together?
 
13 Play Builds Trust 83
 
14 Don't Sit and Get 85
 
Benefits of Physical Play 89
 
Physical Play Improves Our Intellectual Capacity 89
 
Physical Play Builds Emotional Intelligence 90
 
Physical Play Helps Us Build Friendships 90
 
Physical Play Develops Our Moral Character 91
 
Physical Play Promotes Physical Wellness 91
 
Physical Play is a Catalyst for Joy 91
 
15 A Story about Trust 93
 
16 Administrators Must Trust . . . 101
 
17 Teachers Can Trust . . . 105
 
18 Parents Can Trust . . . 112
 
Newsletters 112
 
Positive Phone Calls 113
 
Sneak a Peek 113
 
Parent Play Days 114
 
19 Students Already Trust . . . 115
 
Section 4 Play Builds Relationships
 
Relationships Are Strengthened Through Play
 
Our students are humans before they get to us, and they're still humans when they leave. It will do us well to remember that fact more than their test scores, data, and grades.
 
20 Our Biological Predilection 119
 
A Conversation 119
 
Hunter-Gatherers:

About the author

JED DEARYBURY, is an educational leader and award-winning teacher of grades 1, 2, 3 and higher education in teacher preparation programs. He was featured in GQ Magazine as Male Leader of the Year, he won the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, and he was a top 5 finalist for South Carolina Teacher of the Year. JULIE JONES, has experience teaching 4th through 12th grades and is currently an Associate Professor at Converse College in K-6 teacher education. She regularly conducts research on educational technology and pedagogy with a mix of creativity and play.

Summary

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.

Product details

• Authors: J Dearybury, Je Dearybury, Jed Dearybury, Jed Jones Dearybury, Julie Jones, Julie P Jones, Julie P. Jones
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.06.2020
• EAN: 9781119674399
• ISBN: 978-1-119-67439-9
• No. of pages: 320
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Education > Education system; Education, Bildungswesen, Education / Teaching, EDUCATION / Classroom Management, K-12 / Lehrerbildung, K-12, Teacher Education (K-12)