Spark Decks is thrilled to announce that we are offering a dozen workshops through San Francisco’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ (DCYF) Technical Assistance and Professional Development initiative.  Here is what we are offering along with links to register!  (For a complete list of DCYF workshops, click here).

Self Care for Youth Serving Professionals
Is stress getting you down, making you sick, affecting your sleep? In this workshop, participants will learn and share techniques for self-care, including strategies for alleviating stress, handling tense situations, and creating a work-life environment that is balanced and sustainable.

As with all Spark Decks workshops, this session will focus on the process of innovating new ideas from a “spark” and reflecting and modifying activities each time they are implemented. In this way, learning-on-the job and the continuous quality improvement cycle are embedded into the workshop.

When:
October 5 (click here to register)
November 2 (click here to register)
January 18 (registration link will be available a month before the workshop)

Spark Decks Math Cohort: Creating a Math-ful Environment
Yes, math can be a >blast< and in this hands-on series of workshops, we’re going to prove it! Staff will learn how to put the latest theories in math instruction to use in creating and facilitating quick, fun, daily math activities. In addition, participants will learn how to support staff and parents/caregivers in thinking more math-fully and will create an action plan for making math happen all the time.

We’ll explore and practice games that help young people build skills in:  Counting and Cardinality; Operations and Algebraic Thinking; Measurement and Data; and Geometry.  And we’ll teach a simple process that will enable staff to improve and evolve math activities so they never get stale.

As with all Spark Decks workshops, this series will focus on the process of innovating new ideas from a “spark” and reflecting and modifying activities each time they are implemented.  In this way, learning-on-the job and the continuous quality improvement cycle are embedded into the workshop.

To apply, click here.

When:  (registration links for individual workshops will be available a month before each workshop)
October 19 (postponed)
November 9
January 11
February 8

Spark Decks SEL Workshop Series: Creating Environments that Nurture Social and Emotional Learning
Come to explore activities that build Social and Emotional Learning skills in yourself – then transfer them to your programs!  We’ll cover Growth Mindset, Interpersonal Skills, Self-Management, Social Awareness, and Self-Awareness/Efficacy, which are closely aligned to SFUSD’s four core SEL skill areas.  Although these are offered as stand-alone workshops, participants are encouraged to attend all three in the series.

As with all Spark Decks workshops, this series will focus on the process of innovating new ideas from a “spark” and reflecting and modifying activities each time they are implemented.  In this way, learning-on-the job and the continuous quality improvement cycle are embedded into the workshop.

When:  (registration links will be available a month before each workshop)
January 25 – Workshop 1:  Creating Welcoming Environments that Support Social and Emotional Skill Development
In this workshop, participants will explore how to create a welcoming environment to help their youth build strong social awareness skills that result in community building, belonging and inclusivity.  

February 15 – Workshop 2:  Designing and Facilitating Activities that Build Social and Emotional Skills
In this workshop, participants will learn how to develop activities that emphasize goal setting, problem solving and teamwork, so that youth learn and practice SEL skills while improving their academic skills.

March 15 – Workshop 3:  Using Reflection to Grow Social and Emotional Skills
In this workshop, participants will explore how integrating reflection activities helps youth deepen their self-awareness and their ability to learn from mistakes, and fosters a growth mindset that allows them to take risks and move past their frustration point.

Facilitation 101 – An Introduction to Adult Learning and Facilitating Engaging Experiences
In this training we’ll explore how to facilitate meetings and trainings that engage their audience and help learners retain and integrate what is covered into their daily practice.

Adult learning theory has come a long way in helping us to understand how adults (and youth) learn. In this hands-on workshop participants will have a chance to practice how to open and end a meeting or activity, and ways to scaffold and support participants in the “meat” of the training to activate their own knowledge and integrate new ideas into their existing mental framework.

These concepts and practices have a deep impact on adult learning, but they also have relevance in how we facilitate lessons and activities for children and youth.

This workshop is for anyone who wants to improve their skills at facilitating meetings, trainings, lessons, and activities.

When:  
November 16 (click here to register)
February 14

We are excited to announce that we have released two new decks:  Building Social and Emotional Skills and Reflection Prompts for Youth!

Once again, you spoke and we listened!

“Building Social and Emotional Skills” cards offer a variety of techniques and activities to build and support those personal qualities that lead to goal setting, planning, perseverance and teamwork.

The “Reflection Prompts for Youth” deck offers a variety of questions to encourage youth to reflect and share.  There are many ways to use this deck, including quick writes, circle time, or partner talks.

And, right now, if you buy both decks, you will receive a 20% discount!  Buy both for just $40 by clicking here.