https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y 2014-18 Examples of experiential learning in my own teaching en-us 2018-11-23 15:49:56 UTC 2025-05-19 17:27:26 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Removelove.png mleblanc9 https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295292 Students explore ways to grow closer to God, themselves and each other.  Utilizing the richness of our founding orders' spirituality, students learn very practical and accessible prayer methods based in action: Gratitude, Meditation and Awe. These religious practices are now being scientifically researched and recommended for all people to improve overall wellbeing. Rooted in our Benedictine, LaSallian and Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ) traditions, students cultivate methods to connect to God now, and in their evolving adult faith lives.]]> 2018-11-23 15:54:42 UTC https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295292 mleblanc9 https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295357 Students work in teams to create, plan and facilitate retreats, with the spiritual and development needs of their peers top of mind.]]> 2018-11-23 15:55:01 UTC https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295357 mleblanc9 https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295420 Students research, plan, prepare and lead their peers and Red Knight adults in a 4 week faith sharing experience, diving deep into the 40 days of Lent. The upcoming readings for Sunday mass are read, discussed, and applied to each participants' faith journey. Fun and community-building are central to the multi-week session.]]> 2018-11-23 15:55:18 UTC https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295420 mleblanc9 https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295489 Students in Christian Prayer and Spirituality work in groups to research and implement seasonal prayer services in the chapel of Our Lady of Peace, on campus.  Students learn aspects of liturgical planning,  and connect to the universal church by utilizing the feasts and Gospels of the day within a given liturgical season.  Students use the traditional elements of ancient liturgy, combined with their creative and peer-centric ideas to deliver meaningful and spiritually enriching liturgies. Students are guided by our resident liturgist, Mr. Jeremiah.]]> 2018-11-23 15:55:37 UTC https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295489 mleblanc9 https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295516 Service-learning is embedded in all theology classes at Benilde-St. Margaret's. As students prepare to commit to 35+ hours of service junior year, they are offered many tools to help them in the discernment process of choosing a place to serve. To grow in awareness of both the community and options for service sites, students embark on a half-day field trip to our partner social service agencies. The experience is then reflected upon in theology class.]]> 2018-11-23 15:55:46 UTC https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295516 mleblanc9 https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295567 Senior Theology students share with Discipleship classes their lived experience of elementary school exchange days. Mirroring social justice learnings on national issues in class, students bring a local and personal point of view to our Benilde-St. Margaret's community.]]> 2018-11-23 15:56:04 UTC https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295567 mleblanc9 https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295590 Students gather in small groups to share what's on their minds, in their hearts and where they saw God this week.  This prayer form was instituted in the first community of CSJs in seventeenth century France, and allows students to hold sacred space for each other, in a student-led setting.]]> 2018-11-23 15:56:15 UTC https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295590 mleblanc9 https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295634 Students are assigned a theology partner, much like a science lab partner. This relationship allows for students to share daily with another Red Knight they might not otherwise connect with. Partners check in with each other, work on theology activities together and offer support with work missed due to absence. The assigning of partners also avoids the discomfort students feel when asked to choose partners. ]]> 2018-11-23 15:56:24 UTC https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295634 mleblanc9 https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295669 Students gather in groups to engage in theological reflection on their service work at their social service agencies. These sessions allow students to make meaning of their experience in light of the Gospel. Listening to each other and making connections to classmates' service allows for the students to start to see unjust structures affecting the marginalized in society. These discussions are student-led, with support from teachers.]]> 2018-11-23 15:56:36 UTC https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295669 mleblanc9 https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295694 In Christian Prayer and Spirituality class, a senior elective, Fridays are reserved for faith sharing, separating the men and women into groups led by adults who volunteer to share their faith journey with students. These fruitful and highly-anticipated prayer times allow for community-building, risk-taking and spiritual growth for both the students and the adults. Food is often involved.]]> 2018-11-23 15:56:43 UTC https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295694 mleblanc9 https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295717 Benilde-St. Margaret's campus is situated in a beautiful section of St. Louis Park. With parks, woods, wetland and lakes all within walking distance of the school, the outdoors becomes our classroom. Studies show today's students are "nature-deprived" and benefit greatly from time outside. Spiritually, the experience of Prayer Walks in nature connects our students to the Catholic tradition of pilgrimage, furthermore, with Pope Francis and the CSJs as our guides, we understand connecting to the natural world is central to what it means to be Catholic.]]> 2018-11-23 15:56:50 UTC https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295717 mleblanc9 https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295950 Senior students reach back to juniors discerning service site placements, by representing their agencies during our "guest speaker" days. Seniors advocate for the agencies they have come to feel ownership in and an integral part 
of the agency's mission. ]]> 2018-11-23 15:57:57 UTC https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307295950 mleblanc9 https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307308641

Have students make outdoor plaques honoring the sisters, (like at St. Philips) informing passersby that we are part of the CSJ, Benedictine and LaSallian traditions.)  

Host events, invite sisters back.

 Publish students art and writings on impacts.

]]> 2018-11-23 17:26:45 UTC https://padlet.com/mleblanc9/h6bt8kw5ni7y/wish/307308641