OUTLINE
(5 minutes): Introductions – Meet the presenters, goals for today
(10 minutes): Playful Protocol #1 – Participants will play the The Right Family + Debrief on the power of active listening & other messages leaders could share with educators
(10 minutes): Playful Protocol #2 - Participants will play Paper Telephone + Debrief on communication strategies for school leaders, especially when working to improve something somewhat intangible - like educational equity.
(10 minutes): Playful Protocol #3 - Participants will play Squiggle Birds + Debrief on various strategies for observation and scaffolding that better support collaboration
(15 minutes ): Four more playful protocols & the benefit of using them as school leaders (examples might include: String Geometry, Drawing a Rhythm Together, Say-Say-Do, Helium Hoop, etc.)
(10 minutes): Closing & Reflection - Benefit of using protocols and play-based learning, as well as where to access resources that can be used tomorrow!
NOTE: while the following protocols might be familiar to a good number of educators, the session will really push on the ways school leaders can use these playful experiences to push on deeper skill building around key skills: communication, active listening, designing for equity, problem-solving, nurturing creativity, etc. - and will empower educators to facilitate the dialogue back in their own schools in such a way that educators grow their skills AND are able to use these strategies with their students as well.
After this session, participants will be able to...
Access and use seven (or more) protocols to support the learning and growth of other educators in a way that is fun and engaging.
Describe the benefits of using protocols and incorporating play into professional learning
Lead these games with their own staff (or students) as soon as they return to school
Center for Leadership: Why Protocols? https://www.schoolreforminitiative.org/download/why-protocols/
Example of a protocol that might be used in this session: https://www.schoolreforminitiative.org/download/the-right-family/ (document provides one explanation of a deeper meaning - our session would help highlight how this could help school / district leaders more specifically).
ASCD article detailing the benefits of play in the workplace for educators: https://ascd.org/el/articles/make-time-for-play
Peer reviewed article on 10 principles for improving the culture of a workplace through game-like activities: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00014/full
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