Top story…
This week has has seen our very own Alice and Alan pilot a brand new workshop over four days in Falkirk High.
The workshop has been designed to enhance learners understanding of the manufacturing industry through a range of enterprising activities. The key outcomes of this workshop sit within the enterprise and employability outcomes from BTC 4, giving learners the opportunity to experience and develop their knowledge and understanding of skills for life, learning and work such as: taking initiative, self-awareness and open mind-set, openness, negotiation, evaluating risk and being creative and flexible. In addition to this this workshop is designed to give learners opportunities explore the below listed outcomes and experiences of Curriculum for Excellence.
Tree of Knowledge would like to say a big Thank You to Falkirk High School and SMAS for all of their support in developing our brand new enterprise and employability workshop! We have had great fun producing this fun and engaging workshop designed to encourage young people to think about the skills and attitudes they will need in the world of work. We can’t wait to see how this course develops!
With the exams soon approaching we know how difficult it can be to make the most of your study time so at TOK headquarters we have come up with some Entertianing, Enlightening and Educating ways to…
Have FUN whilst studying!!
You heard it here you CAN have fun whilst studying. If you find studying boring and difficult, we have found ways to change your mind. From making your environment more conducive to enjoying the study, to finding ways to help improve your concentration, studying can be made more interesting … and yes, even fun (Well, almost)! Here are some top tips to get you started.
MUSIC – Put on some music that has catchy tunes that will relax you. Never use music or songs that have lyrics to them: it will catch your attention too much, unless you are a type that can zone out lyrics, and it will take your mind off of studying. Something in the electronic music genres such as pop or jazz is great for studying.
GROOVY STATIONARY – Your supplies can encourage you to study – a pen that feels just right in your hand, paper that is so soft the pen glides over it, a bookstand that stops your book from slumping over, a row of colored highlighters begging to be used and a scented eraser that smells delicious. Think of the things that you enjoy having around you at study time and make these your little props for amusing yourself with during the study. Don’t let them distract you from the study though!
CREATE AN EXCELLENT STUDY AREA – This is really important. You must feel like you “own” your little study space, whether it be a corner, a den or a whole room. Even if space is tight, you can arrange with family that a certain space is yours for study at certain hours, no matter what. Decorate your spot with favorite things like postcards, knick-knacks, figurines, notes from friends etc. Even temporary spaces can be decorated with bits and pieces you keep in a portable box. But, try not to make your study area too distracting. The less clutter in your study area, the better.
Schedule time for study and PLAY - Don’t make your study a never-ending process. Give it its timeslot and devote yourself to it during this times and then reward yourself with the things you really feel like doing afterwards. Use the study time effectively, don’t doodle, feel sorry for yourself or call up friends. That just stretches out the pain and increases your lack of interest. Assign the tasks to be done, do them and then forget about it and go and do the other stuff that you feel like doing.
HOT OF THE PRESS!
Have we really forgotten how to play?
It was brought to our attention this week, courtesy of BBC news, that
parents have lost confidence in their ability to play. With 13% saying
they felt anxious about play, and 17% admitting to buying video games
and toys to make up for it we found ourselves asking why?! At the the risk
of sounding old (25 for those who have their doubts) what happened to
good old fashioned play: Skimming stones, building dens, climbing trees,
playing conkers or even just playing in a cardboard box? Our fondest
childhood memories aren’t the ones where we played with a toy or watched
a video, but when we were buried under the blankets and cushions of a
recently collapsed denim fits of giggles, or out climbing trees with our
siblings.
As a nation have we really forgotten how to play? That’s what the
finding of the recent Ribena plus play report would suggest. With 57%
and 42% of fathers and mothers respectivly, saying they are too busy to
play, we think somewhere along the line our values have become mixed up.
1/3 of parents have said they feel guilty about not finishing house hold
chores when sitting with the kids… HOUSE HOLD CHORES!!!
“I’ve completely neglected to spend any time playing with my children,
but the ironing is finished”…
I’m sorry but in our opinion something is wrong with that. Psychologist
and educationalists highlight the importance of
play. Not just for fun either, but instead because it is instrumental to
our learning. We learn through play, we puzzle, question, query, try,
fail and try again through play. Whether it’s which pot makes the most
satisfying noise when we bang it with a spoon or developing an
understanding of gravity by falling out of a tree. Or maybe even just
using our imagination to turn that cardboard box into house, a tv, a car
or a rocket.
We shouldn’t be scares to play, to use our imaginations and see where
they take us. So why not give it a go? Take a risk, make mess or go and
dance in the rain. Our children’s memories depend on it.
So the next time you hear the words “it’s childs play” remember what
that means. It’s not just about having fun, though it should be LOTS of
FUN; it’s about bonding, learning and spending that precious time with
our children while they are young, allowing their and our imaginations
to run wild. Who knows, you might even enjoy yourself.
We are Recruiting…
Business Development Executive , Edinburgh , £15,000 to £20,000 pro-rata with uncapped commission
Tree of Knowledge are the UK’s most exciting personal development organisation. We are seeking a unique individual to join our existing team on a full or part time basis who can help push us on to the next level. This is a role as Business Development Executive and will be responsible for introducing TOK products and services to businesses and secondary schools throughout the UK. This is a complete marketing and business development role. The successful person will be someone who can take on our five company values within everything he/she does not only during work but also outwith. The company image is extremely important to TOK and we are determined to prioritise this in everything we do no matter how much we grow in the future!
http://www.s1jobs.com/job/433848606.html
WELCOME!!
This week we would like to welcome to the TOK family, Grove Academy, Kincorth Academy, Madras College and Sports Scotland we are excited to have you onboard and very much looking forward to Inspiring you all. Will your organisations be featured in next weeks blogs? To find out more information on what we do have a look at the website and do give us a call at TOK headquarters!
Have a great week everyone and remember to have fun in whatever you do!!
