Playful Learning to Develop Critical Skills

Pricing

FREE for Members

– Or –

$4 / On-demand Workshop for Non-Members
*The links to purchase individual workshops are available under the workshop descriptions.

Categories: Differentiation and Personalization | Diversity & SEL | 6 hours (for total workshop) | 60 min/workshop

About the Workshop Series:

Play is not just about fun and games – it is also an important teaching tool! Think of it as recess and study hall all rolled into one. Through play, students learn how to interact with others and develop critical lifelong skills. Join Naomi Harm, a Genius of Play Ambassador, for a series of six collaborative, hands-on workshops where you will have the opportunity to make and take a variety of social and emotional learning experiences that will help you infuse play into your school day and build a stronger community of learners. 

By the end of this workshop series, you will be able to: 

  • Identify three new teaching and learning strategies or resources that can be used to build a stronger community of learners. 

  • Explore balanced teaching and learning strategies that utilize the six benefits of play (physical, emotional, social, cognitive, creative, and communication skills) and infuse social and emotional learning experiences into the curriculum. 

  • Discover ten successful playdate ideas that can help children play, learn, and communicate together in a collaborative PreK – the 3rd-grade classroom. 

  • Discover ten successful playdate ideas that can help children play, learn, and communicate together in a collaborative 4th – the 8th-grade classroom. 

  • Grow your students' social, and emotional well-being and their learning confidence through interactive communication and collaboration learning activities, protocols, and design challenges. 

  • Explore ten research-based playful learning experiences to discover the how and why to prioritize play in your classroom and model the essential life-work balance curriculum for children and educators. 

  • Design a “Day of Play” game-plan that will add more playful learning experiences to your school day and help build stronger relationships with students. 

Series Workshop Descriptions

This is session one of six for the workshop series titled “Playful Learning”  

NOTE: While we recommend that you attend all sessions of the workshop series to meet the learning objectives, each workshop can be attended as a standalone. Full members will also have access to view the recordings on demand and earn up to six continuing education credits.

Now Available On-Demand:

Workshop Description:

A strong classroom community is integral to your student's success, but how can teachers build one with so little time during the day? Join Naomi Harm, a Genius of Play Ambassador, as she shares twelve ways to build a stronger classroom community using unplugged and digital activities infused with SEL teaching and learning approaches. These techniques are short, sweet, and simple, and guaranteed to be the highlight of your student's school day. Participants will also have an opportunity to design their own playful activities and learning experiences that they can immediately use with their students. 

Learning Objective:  

  • Identify three new teaching and learning strategies that can be used to build a stronger community of learners. 

 

Special Technology Instructions:  

Participants will need access to an internet device and a non-school, personal Google account. SimpleK12’s Google Classroom will be utilized for the interactive and hands-on components of this workshop.

Assessment:  

Participants will complete an exit ticket through a collaborative Jamboard to demonstrate their understanding of the workshop objective and reflect on their learning. 

This is session two one of six for the workshop series titled “Playful Learning”  

NOTE: While we recommend that you attend all sessions of the workshop series to meet the learning objectives, each workshop can be attended as a standalone. Full members will also have access to view the recordings on demand and earn up to six continuing education credits.

Now Available On-Demand:

Workshop Description:

Play is not just about fun and games – it is also an important teaching tool! Think of it as recess and study hall all rolled into one. Through play, we learn how to interact with others and reach critical SEL developmental milestones. Join Naomi Harm, a Genius of Play Ambassador, as she shares the six benefits of play and how it is essential to our well-being in the areas of physical, emotional, social, cognitive, creative, and communication skills. Participants will also have an opportunity to design their own playful activities and learning experiences that they can immediately use with their students. 

 

Learning Objective:  

  • Explore balanced teaching and learning strategies that utilize the six benefits of play (physical, emotional, social, cognitive, creative, and communication skills) and infuse social and emotional learning experiences into the curriculum. 

 

Special Technology Instructions:  

Participants will need access to an internet device and a non-school, personal Google account. SimpleK12’s Google Classroom will be utilized for the interactive and hands-on components of this workshop.

Assessment:  

Participants will complete an exit ticket through a collaborative Jamboard to demonstrate their understanding of the workshop objective and reflect on their learning. 

This is session three of six for the workshop series titled “Playful Learning”  

NOTE: While we recommend that you attend all sessions of the workshop series to meet the learning objectives, each workshop can be attended as a standalone. Full members will also have access to view the recordings on demand and earn up to six continuing education credits.

Now Available On-Demand:

Workshop Description: 

Successful classroom playdates are important for your preschoolers' and elementary students' well-being. Well thought out curriculum and educational interest-based play dates are unique opportunities for our “littles” to connect with one another, learn how to interact with others in and outside of a school environment, and strengthen relationships. Join Naomi Harm, a Genius of Play Ambassador, as she shares ten successful playdate ideas that can help children play, learn, and communicate together in a collaborative PreK – the 3rd-grade classroom. Participants will also have an opportunity to design their own playful learning activities that they can immediately use with their students. 

 

Learning Objectives:  

  • Discover ten successful playdate ideas that can help children play, learn, and communicate together in a collaborative PreK – 3rd grade classroom. 
  • Grow your students social, emotional well-being and their learning confidence through interactive communication and collaboration learning activities, protocols, and design challenges.
     

Special Technology Instructions:  

Participants will need access to an internet device and a non-school, personal Google account. SimpleK12’s Google Classroom will be utilized for the interactive and hands-on components of this workshop.

Assessment:  

Participants will complete an exit ticket through a collaborative Jamboard to demonstrate their understanding of the workshop objectives and reflect on their learning. 

This is session four of six for the workshop series titled “Playful Learning”  

NOTE: While we recommend that you attend all sessions of the workshop series to meet the learning objectives, each workshop can be attended as a standalone. Full members will also have access to view the recordings on demand and earn up to six continuing education credits.

Now Available On-Demand:

Workshop Description: 

Successful classroom playdates are important for your upper elementary and middle school students' well-being. Well thought out curriculum and educational interest-based play dates are unique opportunities for our “middles” to connect with one another, learn how to interact with others in and outside of a school environment and strengthen relationships. Join Naomi Harm, a Genius of Play Ambassador, as she shares ten successful playdate ideas that can help children play, learn, and communicate together in a collaborative 4th – 8th grade classroom. Participants will also have an opportunity to design their own playful learning activities that they can immediately use with their students. 

 

Learning Objectives:  

  • Discover ten successful playdate ideas that can help children play, learn, and communicate together in a collaborative 4th – 8th grade classroom. 
  • Grow your students social, emotional well-being and their learning confidence through interactive communication and collaboration learning activities, protocols, and design challenges. 

Special Technology Instructions:  

Participants will need access to an internet device and a non-school, personal Google account. SimpleK12’s Google Classroom will be utilized for the interactive and hands-on components of this workshop.

Assessment:  

Participants will complete an exit ticket through a collaborative Jamboard to demonstrate their understanding of the workshop objectives and reflect on their learning. 

This is session five of six for the workshop series titled “Playful Learning”  

NOTE: While we recommend that you attend all sessions of the workshop series to meet the learning objectives, each workshop can be attended as a standalone. Full members will also have access to view the recordings on demand and earn up to six continuing education credits.

Now Available On-Demand:

Workshop Description: 

We are all aware of the importance of play in the healthy development of children, but we may not realize that teachers and administrators can also benefit from play. Play may be the work of young children, but it can also be a way for educators to develop positive relationships with their students and colleagues. Join Naomi Harm, a Genius of Play Ambassador, as she shares ten research-based learning experiences to reinforce the how and why for using free play and why it is essential for the life-work balance of students and educators. Participants will also have an opportunity to design their own playful learning activities that they can immediately use in their schools and classrooms.  

 

Learning Objective:  

  • Explore ten research-based playful learning experiences to discover the how and why to prioritize play in your classroom and model the essential life-work balance curriculum for children and educators. 

 

Special Technology Instructions:  

Participants will need access to an internet device and a non-school, personal Google account. SimpleK12’s Google Classroom will be utilized for the interactive and hands-on components of this workshop.

Assessment:  

Participants will complete an exit ticket through a collaborative Jamboard to demonstrate their understanding of the workshop objective and reflect on their learning. 

This is session six of six for the workshop series titled “Playful Learning”  

NOTE: While we recommend that you attend all sessions of the workshop series to meet the learning objectives, each workshop can be attended as a standalone. Full members will also have access to view the recordings on demand and earn up to six continuing education credits.

Now Available On-Demand:

Workshop Description: 

Have you ever been excited to try out a new-to-you approach to teaching and learning in your classroom, yet only to find out that you were not able to tackle all the ideas as quickly as you had anticipated? Join Naomi Harm, a Genius of Play Ambassador, as she shares how to effectively implement a “Day of Play ” in your Pre-K -3rd grade classroom. In addition, Naomi will discuss the necessary resources and teaching strategies to have in place so your little learners can experience these powerful play interactions every day. Participants will also have an opportunity to design their own playful learning activities that they can immediately use with their students. 

 

Learning Objective:  

  • Design a “Day of Play” game-plan that will add more playful learning experiences to your school day and help build stronger relationships with students. 

 

Special Technology Instructions:  

Participants will need access to an internet device and a non-school, personal Google account. SimpleK12’s Google Classroom will be utilized for the interactive and hands-on components of this workshop.

Assessment:  

Participants will complete an exit ticket through a collaborative Jamboard to demonstrate their understanding of the workshop objective and reflect on their learning. 

Who Should Attend?

Elementary Educators (K-5), Middle Grades Educators (6-8), High School Educators (9-12), Special Education Teachers, Other school support staff, Curriculum Directors / Instructional Support

Meet the Presenter

Naomi Harm is an EdTech influencer and women in leadership strategist. She has a passion and a drive for instigating STEM innovation into all of her professional learning offerings. Naomi welcomes every opportunity to share her researched-based expertise on brain-based learning instructional approaches, and sensory tactile learning experiences, as to provide ALL students of every ability the access and equity to STEM teaching and learning resources to build their life-long learning confidence.

Naomi is extremely passionate to provide K12 educators and our #CreativeIntellectualHumans of students with the following learning experiences: – Potential STEM careers in coding and robotics, – Global engineering derbies infused with student-centered leadership challenges, – Women in leadership coaching, mentoring, and lean-in strategies, – Redesigning classroom learning spaces with our big beautiful brains in mind, – Maximizing creativity, communication, and collaboration with design thinking student choice and voice projects.

Her 20+ years in the edtech teaching and learning space have provided her with these leadership opportunities: ISTE Faculty Instructional Coach, Google Certified Innovator, Woman in Leadership Strategist, Coach and Mentor, CS for All Teacher Ambassador, Master LEGO Educator, Makey Makey Ambassador, Book Creator Ambassador, K12 Corporate Strategic Education Manager, National Intel Senior Trainer, EdTech Director for 26 Wisconsin school districts, K and 4/5th grade looping teacher and technology coach, CEO and founder of her own Innovative Educator Consulting company http://www.NaomiHarm.org

She has spoken at over 125 National/International conferences, and her most recent keynotes and featured speaker addresses include just a few of the locations: *Canada Edtech Leadership Summit – Vancouver – British Columbia, *LEGO Education – Denmark, *FETC – Orlando, FL, *Future Ready Conference – Honolulu, Hawaii, *WI SLATE, *SSLA Saskatoon, Canada – *Practical Pedagogies in Toulouse, France – *NCTIES in North Carolina – and *SchoolNet South Africa in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Bloemfontein.

To continue the learning conversation, feel free to reach Naomi Harm through Twitter: @NaomiHarm or Email: Naomi@NaomiHarm.org or Webpage http://NaomiHarm.org

#TogetherWeAreBetter

Learning by Doing Teacher Professional Development

What are workshops? How do they work?
Collaborative opportunities to learn new skills and strategies that can be applied right away.

Learning by Doing Teacher Professional Development

Hows does SK12 support PD options for educators? We empower educators with training created by teachers for teachers. Virtual, on-demand, 30-minute sessions, and 60-minute workshops.

virtual PD for districts to offer teachers

What solutions are there for districts offering PD to educators? Districts can scale PD offerings with relevancy for each building and individual educator.

Need to become a member?

Things to Know

Live Attendance

In order to receive credit for attendance and CEUs for each individual workshop, you must be a member and be in attendance and participating throughout the whole 60-minutes. Members who are in attendance and complete all required aspects of the workshop will see their completion status reflected on their Certificate of Attendance and CEUs applied to their profile on their Teacher Learning Community profile, typically within 48 hours of completion.

On-Demand

  • Members can access any workshops they may have missed on-demand. Recordings of the workshops are typically available within 3 days following the live workshop.
  • Non-members will need to pay for each individual workshop they would like to watch. *CEUs and Certificate of Completion are not provided for non-members.

CREDITS

  • 1 CEU learning hour is provided for each workshop you attend.

Anyone! If you find a workshop that appeals to you, you are welcome to join us.

Live workshops are 60-minutes in duration. Attendees will have access to the ‘workroom' following the workshop so they can continue collaborating with peers. Additionally, the trainer is available for 24 hours following the workshop to help coach.

While it's recommended you attend every workshop of a series to make sure you are achieving all learning outcomes, each workshop can be viewed as a stand-alone.

  • Workshops will be available on-demand in the Teacher Learning Community for UpTeach members, typically within 3-5 days after the workshop has ended. NOTE: Non-members will need to pay to access the on-demand workshop.
  • UpTeach members will also have access to the associated classroom to view the participant discussion stream and access any resources supplied. NOTE: Access to the trainer is only available during the actual workshop.

We host at least one virtual workshop per week throughout the year, with the exception of holiday weeks. Times for workshops vary due to many of our trainers being educators and school consultants themselves. This means that typically workshops are held after school hours ET.

We are excited to say that workshops are now included with Premium member subscriptions and district memberships.

Don't have a membership yet? No problem. Get signed up today!

*The links to purchase individual workshops are available under the workshop descriptions.

  1. Internet access.
  2. Access to GoToWebinar. Whether you use the download app or an internet browser, trainers present direct instruction and communicate throughout the training via GoToWebinar.
  3. Access to Google Classrooms. Please make sure you are in a setting where you will have access to Google Classrooms. NOTE: Some school firewalls will not allow you to access Google Classrooms from your classroom. In these cases, you may need to be in your home to participate. Additionally, if your school email address is already associated with Google Classrooms, you will need to use a different personal email address to join so that you are not locked out of the training. Again, due to school privacy restrictions on some school email addresses.

Yes! If you have access to dual monitors, this is ideal. With this type of setup, you will be able to keep GoToWebinar open on one screen, and Google Classrooms open on another.

If you do not have access to a dual monitor setup, no worries! You will just need to make sure you can ‘toggle/switch' between the two.