OASIS CONNECTION MINISTRIES
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Founders
    • Mission Statement
    • Board of Directors
  • Resources
    • Conferences
    • Scholarships
    • Trainings
    • We Care Outreach
  • Media
    • Archives
    • Podcast
    • YouTube
  • Gallery
  • Empower
  • Equip
  • Contact

Play While Learning

1/11/2016

 
Picture
Spring semester is one hectic time for educators.  We’ve made it past the first week of school and 2016. From this point on, there are countless things educators in Texas have to get done to get all students ready for the state assessments.  Students on the other hand feel the extra pressure, as they get ready for the big day. Assessments are essential for student achievement.  However, we need some balance to the hectic school/classroom routine during this time to get students ready for the tests. How do we go about this balance? It’s called play while learning.
 
Back from a very fun and adventurous family vacation last month, provided many learning opportunities while playing. About three years ago, we started a new family tradition to take family vacations during Christmas time. This was the time of year we had everyone together. As empty nesters my husband and I wanted to establish a tradition that our daughters would build into their future families. This gift of time together, was our Christmas gift to each other. We select a destination spot and our daughters do all the planning of activities for the vacation. It just happened that our last destination spot is well known for its many outdoor activities. Each day, we had a chance to learn something new while having fun.
 
Since I am the only one in the family that doesn’t do water fun, there is a substitute activity for me when everyone is on water. Sailboat day was one of such. My husband and the girls went sail boating for the first time and I had a new book I brought to read sitting by the harbor. Not too soon when they left to sail, a sweet lady came and joined me where I was sitting.  This woman’s family was also sailing for the first time and she too doesn’t do water fun! Coincidence? Not at all! It was divinely orchestrated. She also had a book in her hand. We instantly connected and did more talking than reading. About an hour into our talk, a guy walks up to us from inside the bay and asks where we are both from. We both asked him the same question, almost at the same time, where is he from. He went on to tell us, he is originally from East Texas and now lives on the harbor in his boat in San Diego. What? Lives in a boat? That piqued my interest- I wanted to know more. What made him decide to live in a boat? Did he have a family? What school does his children go to and how do they get to school? The man answered all our questions. He figured we would be interested in his chosen lifestyle since it was out of the norm. I learned so much through that experience that it deepened my understanding and scope in different areas. My new friend was stunned anyone would live in a boat. As a writer and author, she felt the learning experience would be a great story plot for her next writing project. So while playing, we both learned some things.
 
How does this relate to balancing the hectic school/classroom routine during this time to get students ready for the tests?  Since Spring semester can be a stressful time for educators, carving out time in the daily school/classroom routine to play while learning is essential. It could be as simple as playing board games for few minutes, or giving students free time to sketch, draw, color, or allowing students to share their favorite movie, song or book. It could even be to the extent that Mr. Ron Clark- an inspiring educator who has worked with a diverse group of students (founder of the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia) understands the necessity of play while learning. He knows first hand how to play together with his students and how to pique their interest in those rigorous subjects. Mr. Clark was shown recently on CBS doing the Milly Rock, Hit the Quan, Whip, Nae Nae dance with his middle school students. Click on this link: Take a look at the video and be inspired to play while learning: Love & Blessings!
 
                                     “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,
                                      All play and no work makes Jack a mere toy '
                                                                    - Proverb                 
 


Happy New Year!

1/1/2016

 
Picture

Happy New Year Educators!!

Hope you had a wonderful and relaxing Christmas break and ready for the second semester. It starts next week.

My family and I just returned from our Christmas vacation exploring all the beautiful shores of San Diego and its surrounding cities and Tijuana, Mexico. In the coming weeks, I will be writing on our fun adventures that provided many teachable moments.  Stay tuned :)

As we begin a new year, I want to encourage you to see the year as an empty glass for you and your students. Each day presents a unique opportunity for you and your students to be filled. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, being filled with His Spirit daily will make a big difference for you and your students. Our family prayed for you going into this year that you will have an enriching year filled with the goodness of God! For all educators, 2016 is like a blank book, and the pen is in your hands. It is your chance to write a beautiful story for you and your students! Write on! Happy New Year!! Love & Blessings!


    Dr. Feyi Obamehinti

    A Blog for Equipping and Empowering people to thrive with the Word of God. Daughter of the King, Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Friend, Mentor, & Educator enjoying the Blessed Life in Christ Jesus. Oasis Focus Inc. is a ministry of restoration & equipping. 

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    September 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    May 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    August 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    November 2011
    October 2011
    August 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    July 2010

    RSS Feed

Copyright © 2009-2023.  Oasis Connection Ministries. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All Rights Reserved.