Session 1: Beliefs

Session 1: Beliefs

1. Introduction

2. Tuning in to the Learning Environment

• Creating a safe space
• Honest
• My story
• Housekeeping

3. Provocation

Where are you? (Above or Below the line...)

4. Reflection
Individual teachers' beliefs about the experiences related to teaching and learning impact on the way they teach.


Aim: Reflect on own beliefs and practices within a community of learners
No learning occurs in a vacuum. We construct meaning personally and uniquely, building on our prior knowledge, feelings and engaging within the context of our current learning environment.

We will be using the Concentric Circle Model to explore our own beliefs and values and to discuss commonalities for the group.

I will think about how to adapt or modify new ideas to my context	I will think about new ways of doing things – consider possibilities and potential changes to practice	I will remain open-minded when listening to the ideas of others	I will take a risk and go beyond my comfort zone
I will persist with my thinking – even when confused or uncertain	I will stop to think carefully before I choose a task	I will try to understand other people’s points of view	I will question myself and reflect critically on my practice with a view to setting improvement goals
I will think about the thinking I am doing!	I will look for the benefits and the advantages in ideas rather than being overly critical	I will record my thinking in a way that will make it useful to return to later	I will remain curious and seek to question rather than judge
I will stay positive even if I find it challenging	I will avoid distractions and keep my thinking focused	I will stimulate others’ thinking by questioning and contributing	I will be organized and systematic in my thinking and recording
I will try to transfer ideas to my own context – even when the age group or subject matter is different	I will ask questions of others and use the opportunity to learn more from my colleagues	I will interact with others beyond my familiar colleagues in order to get a broader understanding of this content	I will keep trying to connect this with what I am trying to do in my classroom this year
I will identify some ways to change my thinking/working as a result of my new learning	I will seek relevance and meaning in what I hear and see. I will work to make this meaningful to me	I will reflect on my learning and thinking throughout the day	I will seek clarification when needed – and help myself understand as deeply as possible

Finally in this session we will be establishing essential agreements for the workshop using the PYP attitudes. These are the dispositions which are expressions of fundamental values, beliefs and feelings about learning, the environment and people.

Refer to Making the PYP Happen page 24

Our Essential Agreements:

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