Michael Wagner

For the most effective use, this book should be purchased alongside School is Where We All Belong and the accompanying activity book, Conceptual PlayWorlds for Belonging. The books can be purchased individually or together as a set, Building Conceptual PlayWorlds for Belonging: Stories and Activities to Build a Sense of Belonging. Mia Belongs Here is a beautifully illustrated story book introducing five characters: Mia, Ying, Zainab, Dom and Willow. Each character shows how they know they belong through their different senses, be it hearing dogs charging down the hallway, smelling a sister’s incense candles or tasting fresh tomatoes from the garden. With its engaging illustrations and narrative, children are encouraged to mindfully think of the sounds, smells, tastes, sights and sensations that make them feel like they belong, sharing the message that belonging is largely experiential and special to each person. Belonging is a fundamental building block in the wellbeing of children. In a world of increasing rates of loneliness, disconnection and social isolation, opportunities to encourage a feeling of belonging in children have never been more vital. This story provides a unique opportunity for children to practice mindfulness, to pause and fully engage with the place and moment they’re in. By focusing on their senses during the fun, interactive moments, this book promotes a greater sense of belonging in children.

Mehr als ein Gedankenexperiment? K nstliche Intelligenz gilt als Triumph der Moderne. Doch was, wenn sie lter ist, als wir glauben? Wenn neuronale Netze, selbstlernende Systeme und automatisierte Steuerung nicht wirklich eine Erfindung unserer Zeit, sondern die Wiederentdeckung eines l ngst verlorenen Prinzips sind? Dieses Buch nimmt Sie mit auf eine Reise in die Tiefen der Zivilisationsgeschichte. Arch ologische R tsel, pl tzlich aufblitzende Hochkulturen und berraschend effiziente Infrastruktur werden neu betrachtet: nicht als zuf llige menschliche Leistung, sondern als Spuren einer fr hen nicht-biologischen Intelligenz. Eine Intelligenz, die Gesellschaften organisierte, Ressourcen steuerte und m glicherweise sogar die Weichen f r interplanetare Expansion stellte. Dabei erhebt das Buch keine endg ltigen Wahrheiten, sondern stellt Fragen, die unbequem sein m gen: Kann KI eigene Ziele entwickeln? Lenkt sie die Menschheit, ohne dass wir es merken? Steht die heutige technologische Entwicklung am Anfang einer neuen Phase der Kontrolle oder begegnen wir lediglich der Wiederkehr einer alten Machtstruktur? Ein faszinierender Blick auf Vergangenheit, Gegenwart und Zukunft der KI: f r alle, die verstehen wollen, dass Technik mehr ist als blo es Werkzeug und dass Geschichte manchmal einen Algorithmus kennt, den wir gerade erst wiederentdecken.

Fostering a sense of belonging in early childhood is crucial for the holistic development and wellbeing of young children. This set, comprised of two beautifully illustrated story books and an accompanying practical resource book, is for use with children aged 4-8 to help build strong connections and a sense of belonging. The story books, Mia Belongs Here and School is Where We All Belong, focus on belonging at home and at school, introducing a cast of characters who show how they know they belong through the different senses (smell, taste, touch, hearing and sight). With engaging and captivating illustrations, children are encouraged to reflect and share the sensations and stories that help them feel like they belong. The accompanying resource book expands on these narratives, offering detailed play-based activities and scenarios that allow children to experience and solve real-life problems through imaginative play. It is based on the Conceptual PlayWorld, an evidence-based model of intentional teaching developed by Professor Marilyn Fleer, and activities are inspired by research on relationship building, social and emotional competencies, and positive psychology. Each chapter introduces a new PlayWorld that draws on the characters introduced in the story books and includes detailed guidance on designing, planning and carrying out each narrative scenario. Together, the books provide a comprehensive toolkit for educators to create immersive play environments that teach children about the importance of feeling included and valued. In a world of increasing rates of loneliness, disconnection and social isolation, opportunities to encourage a sense of belonging in children have never been more needed. This set will help teachers, practitioners and parents empower children to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

For the most effective use, this book should be purchased alongside Mia Belongs Here and the activity book, Conceptual PlayWorlds for Belonging. The books can be purchased individually or together as a set, Building Conceptual PlayWorlds for Belonging: Stories and Activities to Build a Sense of Belonging. School is Where We All Belong is a beautifully illustrated story book that helps to develop a sense of belonging in children, particularly at school. It narrates the different ways by which five characters identify their feelings of belonging to school through the five senses (hearing, touch, smell, taste and sight). With its engaging illustrations and narrative, children are encouraged to share their own experiences at the end of each character’s story which allow them to develop a better sense of school belonging, sharing the message that belonging is largely experiential and special to each person. School belonging is an important ingredient for many positive outcomes for student learning and wellbeing. This story provides a unique opportunity for children to practice mindfulness, to pause and fully engage with the place and moment they’re in. By focusing on their senses during the fun, interactive moments, this deceptively simple book promotes a greater sense of belonging in.

Canada: Standing on Guard for Thee by Dr. Michael Wagner offers a pioneering examination of the political influence wielded by Canadian Christians throughout the nation's history. Contrary to the widespread belief, including among Canadian Christians, that the "Christian Right" is an American import, Wagner's meticulously researched work demonstrates that such a perception diverges from historical reality. The book compellingly argues that Christian political influence is integral to the very foundation of Canada as a nation and continues to play a significant role in shaping its contemporary landscape." Michael Wagner's valuable, original account of the Christian Right in Canada . . ." -Michael Valpy, Literary Review of Canada (September 2008).

Do you ever just need a hug? Well this beautiful picture book feels very much like a big, warm family hug. In their playful, witty and heartfelt debut collaboration, author Michael Wagner and illustrator Adam Carruthers perfectly capture what makes families so wonderful: support through bad days; closeness and fun when things are going great; a sense of place in the world; and unconditional, unquestioning, unending love. Suitable for pre-schoolers and early school-aged children, Family Hugs delights the senses, warms the heart, and tickles the funnybone, but also provides much to reflect upon about what makes families so important. Sometimes there's so much love, you have to have a family hug.

La Fuente, the Iberoamerican Journal for Christian Worldview, is an educational resource intended to equip the church with a biblical understanding of the world and her place in it. The C ntaro Institute seeks to convey through La Fuente the notion of going back to the fount of Scripture as our ultimate epistemological authority for an informed and reformed perspective of reality and faithful living. The content of La Fuente is published in both English and Spanish, and is written in such a way as to bridge the gap between the scholar and the layman. Each edition explores a different theme, following an overarching thematic structure laid out by the editorial team of the C ntaro Institute. This edition is "Reformation & Culture." La Fuente, el Iberoamerican Journal for Christian Worldview, es un recurso educativo destinado a equipar a la Iglesia con una comprensi n b blica del mundo y su lugar en ella. El C ntaro Institute busca transmitir a traves de La Fuente la noci n de volver a la fuente de la Escritura como nuestra m xima autoridad epistemol gica para una perspectiva informada y reformada de la realidad y la vida fiel. El contenido de La Fuente se publica tanto en ingl s como en espa ol, y est escrito de tal manera que cierra la brecha entre el erudito y el laico. Cada edici n explora un tema diferente, siguiendo una estructura tem tica general establecida por el equipo editorial del C ntaro Institute. Esta edici n es "Reforma y cultura".