Presentation for the Learning and The Brain Conference: The Science of Character : Using Brain Science to Raise Student Self-Regulation, Resilience and Respect

1. Be your very best, every day.
Leveraging
Character
Strengths and
Digital Gaming
to Create
Thriving
Learning
Communities
Jillian Darwish, EdD
@jilliandarwish
The Science of Character
Using Brain Science to
Raise Student Self-
Regulation, Resilience
and Respect
November 14, 2015

2. Be your very best, every day.
1.
Character
Strengths
2.
Social
Emotional
Learning
3.
Gaming
Thriving
Learning
Communities
(LOGO)
Agenda

3. Be your very best, every day.
The limits of my
language means the
limits of my world.
“
”

4. Be your very best, every day.
24 Character Strengths
• Patterns of thinking, feeling, behaving
• Universally valued
• Present in all of us to varying degrees

5. Be your very best, every day.
• Engagement & Motivation
• Well-Being
• Satisfaction & Meaning
• Achievement
Strengths Make a Difference!
2
UNDERSTAND

6. Be your very best, every day.
Character Strengths in the Classroom

7. Be your very best, every day.
Seeing Strengths

8. Be your very best, every day.
Social and Emotional Learning Competencies
Adapted from CASEL - Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning

9. Be your very best, every day.
As reported by CASEL in “The Positive Impact of Social and Emotional Learning for Kindergarten to Eighth-Grade Students
Social Emotional Learning

10. Be your very best, every day.
SEL and Strengths
Self
Awareness
Strengths
Overview
Curiosity,
Perseverance,
Zest, Hope
Kindness
Gratitude,
Perseverance,
Hope, Kindness
Self
Management
Creativity,
Gratitude,
Forgiveness, Zest
Kindness
Self-control,
Honesty,
Creativity, Zest
Curiosity,
Forgiveness
Social
Awareness
Social Intelligence
Fairness,
Kindness
Judgment,
Gratitude,
Fairness, Humility
Humility, Social
Intelligence,
Humor
Relationships
Appreciation of
Beauty &
Excellence,
Perspective
Prudence,
Forgiveness
Love of learning,
Leadership, Love,
Teamwork,
Spirituality
Bravery,
Teamwork,
Perspective
DecisionMaking

11. Be your very best, every day.
Adapted from 36 Learning principles from
Gee, 2003, & Prensky adaptations, 2003
Well designed games
are a natural for learning
Games for Learning
Engagement in Learning
Freedom, choice and
personalization
Deeper Learning
Testing ideas, practice, and
socialization
Motivation
Achievement and recognition

12. Be your very best, every day.
Thriving Learning Communities
Self Awareness
& Hope

13. Be your very best, every day.
Thriving Learning Communities
Self Management
& Self-Control

14. Be your very best, every day.

15. Be your very best, every day.
The consistent language that this
program has provided, for not only our
staff but for our children, has helped
them to understand their strengths as
well as identify areas to improve upon,
coming to this conclusion on their own!
Julie Ayers, Former Principal, Sands Montessori School
“
”
Thriving Learning Communities

16. Be your very best, every day.
I think that students gain personal
strength from the program. The students
gained self-confidence. It’s confirmation
that they have strengths, and our students
don’t always get this at home. It gives them
a chance to hear positives throughout the
day, from their teachers and their peers.
Lauren Braddock, School Psychologist, Carson Elementary School
“
”
Thriving Learning Communities

17. Be your very best, every day.
What Students Say
If some one is being bullied I can stand up for them
and use my BRAVERY strength.
I used my CURIOSITY to ask different questions
about things that I didn't understand.
SELF-CONTROL: The strength not to talk when
somebody is talking to me, so I don't get in
trouble.
TEAMWOR, HUMOR, and PERSEVERANCE - it worked like
magic because every time I used these strengths it
seemed like everyone, including me, got something in
return.
“ ”
“ ”
“
”
“
”

18. Be your very best, every day.
Thriving Learning Communities

19. Be your very best, every day.
Thriving Learning Communities

20. Be your very best, every day.
Planning for Success
Holistic not isolated1
Educators first2
Timing3
Dedicated time4
Champions and communication5

21. Be your very best, every day.
Leveraging
Character
Strengths and
Digital Gaming
to Create
Thriving
Learning
Communities
Jillian Darwish, EdD
@jilliandarwish
The Science of Character
Using Brain Science to
Raise Student Self-
Regulation, Resilience
and Respect
November 14, 2015