Session Sneak Peek! Mandalas and Metaphors

Sun/Shadow  Mandala

 What is a Mandala?  Mandalas are circular and geometric representations of images of spiritual life, both outer (sun) and inner (shadow). They symbolize aspects of life such as earth, water, air, and fire as well as all other components of life.

What is a Metaphor?  Metaphors are literary figures of speech where one subject is compared symbolically to another unrelated subject.

A famous metaphor comes from Shakespeare’s play “As You Like It”:

All the world’s a stage,

And all the men and women merely players;

They have their exits and their entrances; — William Shakespeare, As You Like It, 2/7^[1]

This quote is a metaphor because the world is not literally a stage. By saying that the world is a stage, Shakespeare makes a comparison between the world and a stage to give an understanding about how the world and the people in it work

But this workshop is about differentiation in learning.  How do mandalas and metaphors have to do with teaching my students with differing levels of readiness, learning profiles and interests?  How do I teach abstract ideas like metaphors and idioms to my adult students?

Let’s start with a lesson plan that “hooks” the student. That’s where you come in to this session!

Hope Lynn will be presenting this session on Thursday at Conference.

Hope Lynn: What’s your money style?

I have style! Money style that is. Take a lesson from what I learned about myself to see how your money style can affect your past, present and future financial literacy.

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I found this financial awareness quiz on line today, How Does Your “Money Style” Affect Your Life,  thanks to my subscription to Money Talks.  It’s a great website to learn about your money style and then learn from Ashley Barnett on how to turn the patterns of your relationship to money around.

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As it turns out, I am an avoider!  I never wanted to be concerned with money. Everyone should have everything they need; no hunger, poverty, medical bills or illiteracy should deprive people of their human rights. My upbringing was based on the philosophy that with an education all things are possible.  I am an idealist, a child of the 60s.  I was so fortunate to have an education at a high ranking yet low cost city college in New York, and to have had a career in the field of my choice.  I shared what was important to me, a love of literature and writing with my students as my pay check was reliably deposited into my bank account and my retirement fund grew.  The funds were there when I needed to buy a house, have a child and replace a car. I lived the American Dream and am now a retired Boomer. Sadly, I know today that dream is quite fleeting for the next generation. I recently left the teaching profession after more than 30 years, and am now an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer for The Florida Literacy Coalition.  I am aware that joblessness, poverty, hunger and illiteracy are growing as our economy struggles to resurface in troubled times.  More than ever we need to know where our money comes from and how it can be of best use. I know I can no longer avoid knowing about money!