INTEGRATION –  learn from my experiences, but also learn from others.  Listen to the stories of others as well as share your story…all with an open heart so that you can bring forth all the other pieces of spirit to create peace

 

 

The origin of the word INTEGRATION:   (Etymonline)

“Integration” is from the 1610s, “act of bringing together the parts of a whole,” from French intégration and directly from Late Latin integrationem (nominative integratio) “renewal, restoration,” noun of action from past participle stem of Latin integrare “make whole,” also “renew, begin again”.

No Child Left Behind, Every Student Succeeds Act are movements in education that imply a desire to meet the needs of every child and to create wholeness in the child and in the system.  ESSA even goes as far as saying that its intention is to create a “well-rounded child”…a whole child.  Instead, we have fragmented, fractured and frazzled the child into pieces.  We have created teacher PLCs (Professional Learning Communities) forcing teachers to communicate and collaborate together in an attempt to create a more whole-some learning experience for children.  However, the only thing “whole” that is being created is a whole lot of competition, resentments, anger and uncivil behaviors.  As well, placing more value on STEM and core subjects vs. electives has caused a more disjointed or lop-sided curriculum in schools rather than a “whole-some” one.  There is much more separation and isolation in schools than there is integration, in so many ways.  If we could just focus our lenses on the bigger picture of humanity and renew our human spirit from that vantage point, we would realize that we are just a small piece of the bigger whole, but also an integral and essential one because if just one piece is missing, it is not whole.

Essential questions for INTEGRATION:

(applicable to self, students, parents, colleagues and all humans on journey of lifelong learning)

What is the bigger picture, and what are the pieces that make it up?

How is this experience part of the Greater Good?

How am I serving myself and my fellow human beings?

Who are the participants in this experience, and why do they matter?

How can I work with others to piece/peace together a more personal and meaningful learning experience for all?

How do my choices affect the Greater Good or the whole experience?

What is my piece of the puzzle, and do my choices and behaviors align with that role?

Where is this experience taking place:  in my head or in my heart?  Why?

When do I disconnect and isolate from others?  Why?

What can I do to stay connected and open to all possibilities?

How can I look at this experience differently?

What can this experience teach me?

What connections can I make personally to this experience and to others?

What are my take-aways from this experience that apply to me?

How can I grow just a little from this experience?

How do my choices in this experience align with my values and my True Self?

How can I wear my “lentes nuevos” in new situations and experiences?

 

Affirmations, cheers, “Can Do” Statements

for the “Common Core” Belief of INTEGRATION:

I am whole and an integral part of the whole human race.

I am a unique and essential piece of the puzzle called humanity.

We are all connected through a common higher power and purpose.

I make choices that affect me and others in positive and loving ways.

I am here to learn more about myself and the world in which I live.

All my experiences give me greater insights to myself and to others.

All my experiences help me grow and be just a little bit better each day.

I seek to make meaningful connections in human relationships and in the

greater understandings of learning.

I am open to making connections to others and being a piece of the greater peace.

I am curious about the WWWWWH in all that I do.

I renew my spirit every day through the connections I make to myself and to others.

I let go and let grow.

My “lentes nuevos” help me see and seek my True Self and my place in the world.

I practice self care and self awareness in order to nurture more whole-hearted connections & experiences.