The Power of Student Role Play

August 29, 2017 by Scott Todnem in Teaching Blog

Role Play
Whatever belief is out there—"Practice makes perfect", "Perfect practice makes perfect", or "Practice makes permanent"—they all seem to focus on similar points: we, as humans, can get better and solidify our behavior with practice.

Obviously, we aren't really going to be perfect. And, in actuality, even habits can be altered from the permanence seemingly embedded in repetition. Instead, perhaps the thought is what matters here—no matter what the endeavor, people can improve with practice.

This is where educational role-play comes in.

Video Clips in Health Ed

July 31, 2017 by Scott Todnem in Teaching Blog

Appropriate Use of Video
We are in the business of life lessons, which means as Health teachers we want to draw from many sources to strengthen our instruction. Real life narratives, fictional scenarios, guest speakers, article reviews, hands-on activities, role playing, data analysis... the list goes on. We want to be engaging, and since showing a video in class is often viewed as a thing of the past, we sometimes avoid it to refrain from becoming "that teacher" who presses play and sits back with a cup of coffee.

Movies, TV, and YouTube play a major influence on teen development. As educators, we can fight this, or we can utilize videos in Health Class that extend our instruction and further embed the lasting impressions of learning.

Naturally, it all depends on the video and the effort to reflect afterwards.

Social Bell Ringers

July 17, 2017 by Scott Todnem in Teaching Blog

Turn & Talk
Before the period even begins, the classroom comes alive with typical adolescent energy. Students are shuffling into their seats as the door opens and reopens. Hallway activity spills in— there's books and bodies and chatter and laughter, and, yes, even the occasional screaming.

Then the bell rings.

The standard teacher scramble goes into effect. Attendance check, student questions, bathroom needs, and maybe even an office call over the phone or intercom.

What a perfect time for social bell ringers.

Journal Activities

July 09, 2017 by Scott Todnem in Teaching Blog

Self-Reflection
The idea of journaling is to prompt self-reflection. Therefore, journal activities in education allow students a chance to focus their thoughts, prepare for a lesson, or debrief from an activity in order for further learning to take place.

Here are three types of journal activities for use in Health Class (and teaching in general).

Challenge-Based Activities

July 06, 2017 by Scott Todnem in Teaching Blog

To Challenge Is To Change
Obviously, we are all unique. Each individual will benefit from differentiation in education to develop knowledge and skills needed to be successful in life. However, if we examine the social-emotional connection of the best and most successful teams in history, whether it be in sports, business, or other avenues of life, we see that a shared teaming experience can prompt better individual production.

My contention is that using team building and challenge-based activities in the classroom can develop meaningful lessons and lasting impressions.

Three Simple Things

April 02, 2017 by Scott Todnem in Teaching Blog

Building Connections
Much of middle and high school life involves a social component, as well as the mental balance of stress and self-esteem— but that’s why we teach Health Education, right? These are the very life lessons that pique our interest and it’s what we take pride in teaching.

With all this in mind, I offer three simple things to add to your teaching in order to enhance the educational experience. The focus? Improving the social connection and mental well-being in yourself and those around you. Health Educator or not, try these tricks to better connect with students.