Twilight sessions / Mini
workshops:
I offer a range of brief training
sessions in the field of creativity / thinking skills / emotional resourcefulness. These
units last between 60-90 minutes, or can be put together into longer presentations - a
whole day or half day - to suit your purposes. Any workshop can be tailored to the age
range of the children you work with.
- Picture Exploration - In
this session we'll explore how a picture stimulus can be used develop visual literacy and
metacognition. This technique also allows you to gather information about students'
preferred sensory modalities as they think, and exploits the brain's love of diversity to
lengthen concentration span. The session can be combined with visualisation work and
creative writing strategies.
- Thinking Grids - I
originally developed these grids as visual organisers to help students with their creative
writing. If you prefer this focus we'll learn how the grids are used to allow students to
understand basic narrative elements (making reference to Vladimir Propp's work), explore
genre, plan stories with minimal writing (but maximum thinking), and develop character.
The grids have wider application, however, and can be used across the subject range. This
workshop can also explore the use of the grids as a problem solving tool and as a device
to boost emotional resourcefulness.
- Mysteries - The mystery
technique is a great way of allowing students to learn collaboratively. Pieces of
randomised information are presented to groups together with a task which involves a range
of thinking tools; sequencing, prioritising, evaluating, reasoning, justifying, intuiting,
and so on. The explicit outcome of the mystery might be to put together a story, explore a
theme or issue, reach a robust conclusion, complete a factual sequence or hierarchy, etc.
The underlying agenda of any mystery task, however, includes raising students' awareness
of their thinking and learning preferences, developing reasoned arguments, decison making
and problem solving. Also it's great fun!
- Deep Relaxation - Simply
that. In this session you'll learn some powerful techniques for achieving a wonderful
state of physical and mental tranquillity. But this is not just a treat for the staff. The
same techniques can be used simply and safely with children of any age. (You may know that
I am a qualified and practising hypnotherapist. The deep relaxation workshop has developed
out of the relaxation techniques I learned in my training, If you want to know more about
my hypnotherapy click here
). As an adjunct to my work in this field, I can offer a stop smoking workshop to staff. This features a brief preliminary
explanation of the process with opportunity to ask questions, the non-smoking session and
a follow-up script on CD or tape which consolidates the work.
- Dealing with Feelings -
Because the mind and the body are linked, thinking-based techniques work very effectively
in dealing with unhelpful emotions, limiting beliefs, lack of confidence, low self-esteem,
etc. This session will show you a range of easily applied activities for use with students
across the age range.
If you want to know more about any of the
trainings I've mentioned do get in touch. I will be building my menu of mini workshops
over time, but if you have specific requirements related to what I offer that have not
been addressed in the sessions above, please contact me on steve@sbowkett.freeserve.co.uk.
For prices click here
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