Studio 89

Good News!

I have been invited to work with Aanchal Mogla, volunteer at Studio 89, to develop workshops/activities addressing and supporting local school academic programs.

Our focus:

to expose students to important social and environmental issues.

Studio 89 http://www.studio89.org

is a non-profit organization in Mississauga, Ontario sponsoring a variety of community events with money generated from its operation.

See article in Toronto Star detailing the organization’s philosophy and contribution to the community:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/10/08/studio-89-serving-more-than-just-coffee.html

1.  Kudos to Stephen Lewis S.S., and teacher Brett Boivin, Peel Board of Education.

“Alone we are smart. Together we are brilliant”. Steven Anderson

is the mantra students from Stephen Lewis S.S. has adapted. 

Image  © J. Andreacchi 2016

Agenda for the day included examining:

•  History of Studio 89
•  Reasons for Rainforest Certified, Bird Friendly for choices,
•   Vegan, Gluten Free Menu choices
•  Conscious Consumerism
•  Social Justice Issues and the Toronto Star's Editor/Atkinson's Philosophy 

Students utilized a variety of Web 2.0 Tools to share new knowledge and understanding:

·        www.canva.com -- Infographs

https://infograph.venngage.com/p/63577/yummy-in-my-tummy

·        www.animoto.com

https://animoto.com/play/774hgjEcQ60zkmuvjUzN0w?autostart=1

The day culminated with the development of a number of Action Plans for “making a difference” in the community.

                            Images  © J. Andreacchi 2016

2.  Students from Glenforest S.S. and teacher Michelle Allen, Peel Board of Education, examined Sustainability from a number of perspectives.

Agenda for the day included:

• Examining the production of Nutella and if its consumption and production is Healthy for the Environment
• Examining the statement: “Are we to paint what’s on the face, or what’s inside the face, or what’s behind the face?” Pablo Picas  

          By creating a message out of Rubbish to define what “Eco-              Consciousness” means to the group

• Writing and singing a Rap Song to promote the philosophy of Studio 89

                                                               

 

Images  © J. Andreacchi 2016

"We can make a difference if we put some effort into change for the better."

Resourcefully Yours

Julie Andreacchi

All Rights Reserved

© J. Andreacchi

2016

Children’s Books to Hook

Repurposing Children’s Books

Working within the philosophy of Dollar Daze and Thrifty Finds, Repurposing Children’s Books can serve as a “Springboard to Inquiry” and Engagement.

This poster presentation had its debut at the:Georgia International Information Literacy Conference Savannah, USA – Sept. 2015

.

The Activities developed, using Children’s Books, can be used to: expand/support/enrich serve as a motivation/introduction to any topic with minimum modifications

 Why Children’s Books?

1. Ignite Imagination—How?

•  Stories create a sense of “Serendipity” 
• Eg. First Kiss/First Pet – How did you feel?
• Stories connect to emotions, real life connections
• Knowledge is garnered through senses

2. Children’s Books – The Selection Process

• “A children's story which is enjoyed only by children is a bad children's story. The good ones last…it certainly is my opinion that a book worth reading only in childhood is not worth reading even then” 
•  http://cslewis.drzeus.net/papers/childlike-in-george-macdonald-and-cs-lewis/
• Picture/Photograph cues for understanding of science concepts and vocabulary
• Accurate Scientific Facts
• Imaginative—Layout/Design is unique
• Emotional impact, cortisol released, creates a memory, triggers a logical mind
• Inexpensive
• Cross-curricular
• Ebook vs Book
• Print exposes students to new words outside realms of speech
• Interesting stories/conversation engages mind
• Contributes to general knowledge
• Lyrical Language

Children’s books tell stories…image + text is powerful. People remember stories.

Trigger:

• Lateral Thinking
• Creativity
• Curiosity
• Imagination   

3. The Search Engine Dilemma…

Problems and solutions in life require creativity eg. cancer, climate change. Hence the importance of engaging:

• nonlinear thinking and
• daydreaming

"School/teacher assigned topics, utilize search engines. Search engines are efficient but do not allow daydreaming and imagination".

4.  Starting the Research…Virtual Thinking Vs. Physical

• Physical Clears the Mind, Reduces Brain Clutter
• Writing out your thoughts/questions de-clutters the brain. 
• Pen/pencil to paper/post-its is an opportunity to organize thoughts!

Dollar Daze Tools!!  Post-its, Plastic Card Sleeve, White Boards to assist with reducing brain clutter

5. Then Mindful Inquiry can Begin…

The Right Question!

·      Open Ended, Challenge Thinking

·      Subtopics guide, direct students with purpose

·      Subtopics extends brain and frees it from overload

·      Think of the Triage Nurse—how he/she categorizes to reduce time wasted

6. Example of Thinking Process

a)    The Book: Me…Jane McDonnell, P. + Tarzan Books b)   Consider the Big Ideas--Brainstorm Animal Consciousness  “Animals possess a theory of mind and can intuit what a  rival might do in a given situation and act accordingly. They exhibit deceit, compassion and the ability to see themselves through another’s eyes”. Animal Welfare/Abuse/Cruelty/Poaching “Find your purpose and live it” c)    Consider Essential  Questions Community connections—”Let your hook always be cast!” Bring in Headlines… Death of mother bear spurs Italian protests: TS Sept. 12, 2014 Dog Left at Train Station with Suitcase of Doggy Belongings Boots—Kitten Nanny  http://www.fuzzfix.com/meet-boots-hurricane-katrina-survivor-and-adorable-kitten-nanny/?utm_content=bbb0015&utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=referral d)   Develop The Right Question—Focus Question 1.   How do you create awareness/empathy/change re: animal abuse? 2.   Why have we not been able to eradicate puppy mills? Solution to the                    problem. 3.   What animal would make a good pet and why? What will the Knowledge Product look like? Action/Fundraising/Posters/Announcements/Web presence to inform Baking cupcakes for fundraising Save the animals – Vanity Plates—list of words as a means to inform Buying Guide/Tip Sheets/Check List—Would you make a good pet owner? List animal choices + criteria/special care required using a matrix box. Owing a Dog/Cat Poster and Responsibilities

6.  Egs. Of Web 2.0 Tools to gather, store, consolidate, demonstrate                                                    

     new learning and understanding

• Use https://bubbl.us to create a mind map to chunk related concepts
• Venn Diagram-to compare and contrast                                                    https://www.gliffy.com/uses/venn-diagram-software-template/
• Padlet, https://padlet.com as a zone for collaboration/sharing
• Time-Line to organize action plan, http://elearningindustry.com/top-10-free-timeline-creation-tools-for-teachers
• Create an infograph http://piktochart.com or  https://www.canva.com

Reference: --- to be uploaded shortly

For a list of children’s books, please leave a message.

Resourcefully yours,

Julie Andreacchi

©2016

All rights reserved