Processing in the Middle of the Experience
Jen Stanchfield

Often when we facilitate reflection with groups, we make time after the experience or lesson is completed to review and reflect. Many educators describe their reflective practice with groups as “debriefing”—a word that originated in the military for the act of eliciting a report from a soldier [...]

Engaging Groups in Meaningful Dialogue and Reflection While Practicing Decision-making and Consensus Building.
Jen Stanchfield

My last few posts have explored the power of play to help learners build decision-making, and conflict resolution skills. I have emphasized that educators can intentionally “weave in” opportunities for groups to practice these skills throughout their day- to-day lessons. Processing discussions [...]

Jen Stanchfield’s Upcoming Workshops Designed for Advisory Group Leaders:
Advisory group leaders report that they are always looking for new ideas for facilitating advisory sessions with students. Many educators are planning for the remaining few months of school, summer programs and the start of next school year. The Chewonki Foundation in Wiscasset Maine and the [...]

Experiential Approaches to Building a Classroom Community: Highlights from Jen Stanchfield’s Winter Workshops for Educators at the Southeast Vermont Learning Collaborative.

This winter SVLC hosted two days of workshops for teachers and school counselors focused on experiential strategies for building a positive classroom environment and active approaches to differentiating instruction.
Thanks to everyone who participated. Your [...]

(Excerpt from Tips & Tools: The Art of Experiential Group Facilitation, Wood ‘N’ Barnes Publishing 2007)

Group facilitation is like cooking….
When you first start cooking, you follow the tried and true recipes from family, a friend or colleague, or a cookbook. As your skills increase you start to improvise and vary the ingredients. Successful [...]

Jen Stanchfield’s workshop The Art of Experiential Group Facilitation. Jennifer Stanchfield and Josh Meyer presented a Holistic Approach to Teaching focused on brain-based learning, differentiated instruction and positive behavioral supports.

Today’s Wood ‘N’ Barnes Friday Lesson:
Two weeks ago I submitted the post “Bringing Learning to Life Through Reflection” which explored the use of metaphor in reflection. I mentioned that by using a variety of reflective methods—ranging from group dialogue, active reflection methods, artwork and the use of tangible objects, images, or metaphor—we can help participants [...]

Facilitation is an art that involves a combination of practice, observation, knowledge of theory, and creativity. Effective facilitators act as creative “designers” of lessons and experiences.  Through careful observation of all the elements involved in a group’s personality and setting, they intentionally choose and order activities in order to maximize learning opportunities.  Many educators call [...]

In last Friday’s author’s lesson entry at Wood ‘N’ Barnes I posted: “Bringing Learning to Life Through Reflection”:
Last week’s lesson ended with, “The lasting lesson for facilitators is to find ways to help participants and group leaders transfer these successes back to day-to-day participation in school work, or other life activities.”
Reflection brings learning to life. [...]

Every Friday in October I’m offering a new free downloadable lesson regarding experiential-based group facilitation and processing. This week’s lesson focuses on increasing involvement and facilitating “buy in” and trust with group participants Click here to check it out.