ACSI Regional Conference – Iași, March 21st, 2015

ACSI Regional Conference – Iași, March 21st, 2015 Theme: THE MISSION OF THE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Keynote speaker - Graham Coyle

ACSI Regional Conference – Iași, March 21st, 2015

Theme: THE MISSION OF THE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Keynote speaker - Graham Coyle

Schedule:

9:00 - 9:30 Arrival and registration

9:30 – 9:45 Conference Opening

9:45 – 10:45 Plenary session I - "Why are we doing this?" – Graham Coyle

It is sometimes too easy to get very absorbed by what we are doing for the Lord and lose sight of why we are doing it. If this happens to us we can become overwhelmed and discouraged by the size of the task. We need to keep our gaze fixed on Jesus and what He has called us all to do.

11:00 - 12:00 Workshops I

1. "Discipleship in the school context" - Graham Coyle

Education is a complex and responsible task at any time, all the more so when we have a goal of leading our pupils into a closer relationship with Jesus. How can we find our way through the questions involved and also through the challenges of 21st century life to be effective in discipling our young people?

2. “Developing the ability to keep rhythm and differentiate pitches with the help of homemade instruments and musical toys” – Petronela Sohorianu

Children display a great interest for activities that emphasize rhythm and they do these activities spontaneosly during all their independent games. When we value the musical inclinations of the children, we accomplish one of the basic elements of musical education. The development of the feel for the rhythm cannot be accomplished through theoretical explanations, but through activities that engage children in singing to different beats and rhythms, in helping them internalize the rhythm and recognizing these by listening to music.

3. “Structure and function of schools “– Ionuț Nistor

The bylaw of the administration body of the schools. The bylaw of schools. 

4. “Discipling – challenging and inspiring our students to be more than just Christian?” – Paul Madsen

The word “disciple” was used by the early believers to describe themselves. How can we encourage our students to truly be disciples and follow Christ daily?

5. “Literacy teaches me how to learn” – Brandușa Chelariu

Literacy is a modern concept of contemporary didactics. Literacy intends to develop student’s independence during the learning process. It is the art of reading a text from all domains with the purpose of understanding and interpreting it. Students, teachers and adults who want to better understand the world around them need to know the principles of literacy when they face a great variety of texts.

6. “Influence that shapes – its role in forming and developing the child” – Radu Onu

Our children are the result of two things: the influences that shape them (physical makeup and life experiences) and their orientation toward God.” (Tedd Tripp) Our role as teachers is to provide the children with the best shaping influences possible and to carefully counsel children’s reactions to shaping influences in the environment they come from.

12:00 – 13:30 Lunch / Fellowship / Book Purchase

13:30 – 14-30 Workshops II

1. “Biblical Integration - a practical methodology for planning Biblical integration for the H.S. classroom” – Paul Madsen

Biblical integration means seeing the curriculum in a whole new way and teaching in a manner that emphasizes important connections between the curricular concepts and the bigger picture of who God is and what God is doing.

2. “Mentoring as a process of developing teenagers in school" – Liviu Cãprar

This seminar has the purpose of introducing the concept of mentoring as an educational tool that supports the ethical and moral development of teenagers in school, which is the fundamental aspect of the mission of the Christian school.  

3. “The battle for students’ minds” - Liviu Ursache

The mind is the battlefield where the battles are won or lost. So the focus of Christian teacher is not just to work on the behavior of the child as much as to shape the thinking process. The purpose of any Christian teachers is developing Christ’s image in the students’ lives. So he will attempt to “demolish” any idea that is contrary to “the knowledge of God” in the Romanian society and will appeal to God’s resources to transform the mind of the student.

4.”Interactive teaching methods for preschool and elementary level” – Liz Rauca

Currently our society promotes learning through cooperation, based on helping each other, actively engaging the children. The activity then becomes more entertaining, more efficient and the children are mobilized and become eager to accomplish the task. Sylvia Chard says that interactive teaching methods attain an important objective, which is to help the children learn with passion. I invite you to discover ways of using the interactive teaching methods at the preschool level.

5. “The teacher that influences lives” – Iulian Mangalagiu

Think about a favorite teacher you had as a child or teenager. What was so special about that teacher that made you remember him? Most of the time you do not remember many things he taught you, but you remember the person – the influence that teacher had in your life. What is a teacher like that influences children for eternity?

14:45 - 15:45 Plenary session II - "Missional impact on the practice of teaching" – Graham Coyle

Teaching is an important ministry of the Church. Mission is an important ministry of the Church. I think that the two are inseparable and I hope that after this session you will think that as well.

15:45 Closing