Here's a short piece used in The Guardian about bringing aspects of teaching back to the UK...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/teacher-network/2012/sep/28/teaching-education-ideas-from-other-countries?INTCMP=SRCH
The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is perhaps most well known for two things – the philosophy of gross national happiness and for being the last enclave of Tibetan Buddhism. When I came here, I was
fascinated to find out how the values of these two cultural aspects would filter into education.
Public speaking is highly valued. Students deliver speeches in assemblies with topics that reflect the values of GNH, with titles such as 'why we must keep our forests', 'compassion – the most important quality'.
Mindfulness exercises are practised throughout the day, beginning with five minutes of silent reflection in assembly. Every class begins with a few minutes of the same, with an opportunity for the teacher to guide the mind training. Classes settle and the mental noise of the previous lesson dissipates. When teaching the water cycle, we became rocks in a river, feeling the water pass by, following it to the ocean, up into the sky, down as rain and back into the river. A brilliant starter.
It might seem hard to imagine this in the UK, but the kids here enjoy it and they feel the benefits. It can be fun. I met a teacher who practices mindful chocolate eating; the kids have to keep the chocolate in their mouths and focus on it for 15 minutes.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/teacher-network/2012/sep/28/teaching-education-ideas-from-other-countries?INTCMP=SRCH
David Green, head of science, Bhutan
The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is perhaps most well known for two things – the philosophy of gross national happiness and for being the last enclave of Tibetan Buddhism. When I came here, I was
fascinated to find out how the values of these two cultural aspects would filter into education.
Public speaking is highly valued. Students deliver speeches in assemblies with topics that reflect the values of GNH, with titles such as 'why we must keep our forests', 'compassion – the most important quality'.
Mindfulness exercises are practised throughout the day, beginning with five minutes of silent reflection in assembly. Every class begins with a few minutes of the same, with an opportunity for the teacher to guide the mind training. Classes settle and the mental noise of the previous lesson dissipates. When teaching the water cycle, we became rocks in a river, feeling the water pass by, following it to the ocean, up into the sky, down as rain and back into the river. A brilliant starter.
It might seem hard to imagine this in the UK, but the kids here enjoy it and they feel the benefits. It can be fun. I met a teacher who practices mindful chocolate eating; the kids have to keep the chocolate in their mouths and focus on it for 15 minutes.
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