Welcome to the Curriculum Course and the joy of bringing the Connection Practice to your students.
You can download the Curriculum Manual and its cover here:
We also recommend that you:
- Watch the three introductory videos
- Watch one or more of the demonstration videos based on your interest
- Familiarize yourself with the other curriculum materials available by download
You can access all the remaining materials below:
Three introductory videos
Why Use the Connection Practice?
Rita Marie describes the challenge of disconnection we are facing in today’s world
Curriculum Introduction
Rita Marie introduces the Connection Practice Boards and Curriculum
Curriculum Logistics
Kelsey describes the curriculum materials and how to use them
The second and third videos refer to the Magnetic Boards (MB). You can see additional videos on the “Connection Practice Boards Information and Resource” page. You can see videos for younger children using the magnetic Children’s Boards (MCB) on the “Connection Practice Children’s Boards Information and Resource” page.
Six videos teaching the Curriculum
Kelsey uses the magnetic Boards in these lessons. Teaching using the magnetic Children’s Boards would be similar. See the script in the Curriculum Manual for guidance on how to teach using both kinds of Boards.
Notes:
In lessons 1, 2, and 6, Kelsey refers to Person A and Person B. This language has been updated in the Manual and the Handouts and now refers to Speaker and Listener, which the students understand better. In addition, the numbering of the steps has been revised to match the numbering on the Boards, which also helped with clarity for students and teachers alike.
In lesson 1, Kelsey has the person give an Empathy Statement, which has been omitted to simplify the steps.
In lessons 3-6, the students make hand movements as a way to learn the Quick Coherence Technique. Although this may help students learn to reach coherence initially, the hand movements can be distracting and should be eliminated once the students know the steps.
In lesson 3, the students learn how to achieve coherence using the emWave. You will see student’s scores in high coherence (green), medium coherence (blue) and low coherence (red).
In lesson 5, the teacher guessed that her daughter’s main need was “to belong;” however, the camera was focused on the teacher so the video did not capture that word on the white board.
Lesson 1:
Naming Feelings & Needs Leads to Empathy
Lesson 2:
Empathy for Another Person
Lesson 3:
Quick Coherence Technique
Lesson 4:
Heart-Brain Insight
Lesson 5:
The Connection Practice Worksheet
Lesson 6:
The Connection Practice in Partners
Testimonials by Kelsey and the students
Additional Resources
Demonstration videos
Coaching an Adult on an Inner Issue and a Celebration
Processing a Conflict on Your Own
Coaching a Young Person Through a Conflict
Processing a Family Conflict
Note: In these demonstrations, you will see participants closing their eyes and putting their hands on their hearts. We have found that when people are first learning the practice, this can help them focus more easily; however, it is optional.
General Handouts
Curriculum Handouts
Note: MB refers to magnetic Boards and MCB refers to magnetic Children’s Boards.
- Letter to Parents (used before teaching the Curriculum)
- Feelings & Needs List (for parents & students) (before teaching; Lessons 1 & 2)
- Feelings & Needs Activity Instructions (Lessons 1 & 2)
- Smiling Heart Handout (Lesson 3)
- Heart-Brain Insight Worksheet (Lesson 4)
- Connection Practice Worksheet (Lesson 5)
- Connection Practice in Partners (Lesson 6)
PowerPoint Slides, including the following slides
- Heart Rhythms (Lesson 3)
- Biological Oscillators (Lesson 3)
- Heart-Brain Teamwork (Lesson 3)
- Quick Coherence (Lessons 3 & 4; two versions – choose appropriately for students)
- emWave – Garden Game (Lesson 3; two slides: black-and-white; fully colored)
- Heart-Brain Insight Steps (Lesson 4)
- Gabriel’s Heart-Brain Insight (Lesson 4)
Form for Reporting Experiences Teaching the Curriculum
We are happy you have joined our Connection Practice community where you can expand your capacity to connect more deeply with yourself and others in your school and with your family and friends.
We envision a world where every person practices the art of connection and passes this gift on.
~ Rita Marie Johnson, Founder and CEO