Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Reggio Chat and Mary Kay's Photos from Portland

Yesterday we had a great chat about possible plans for the upcoming school year and ways we'd like to bring Reggio inspired ideas into our classrooms.  Inspired by Mary Kay's photos and stories of notebooks she observed in Portland (you can see them in the video below), we discussed how we'd like to create notebooks that travel with the children from year to year.  We talked about how this type of documentation helps children connect their experiences from year to year and underscores their ability to adapt to changes.  Ideas for the notebooks included class photos and drawings and documentations of projects or activities the child particularly enjoys, or accomplishments, big events, etc.

We also discussed creating a recyclables area at least for our work week and making stuff available from room to room.  If you don't want it, but think some one else might - that kind of thing.  Terry Coffey started a list which we can expand on at our meeting.

Here are the photos Mary Kay shared with us. Check out the mud hut.  Wouldn't that be a fun addition to our outdoor space?  Enjoy!


Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Optimizing Environments

On Monday, August 13th we had a great workshop with Kate Drummond.  For any of you who missed it or for those of you who were there but would like a review,  here's a link to the handout from Kate..  It's got a really great overview of sensory processing as well as thorough footnotes of resources and books.  As you plan to ready your classroom for the first days of school consider the sensory needs of the room's occupants.  This is a great tool to look at the why in making decisions about room arrangement, what and how much you want to offer, creating hospitality, areas of calm and areas to inspire excitement and learning, and all the many decisions you will make both before and after school begins.

This book recommended by Kate looks interesting. It comes out in paperwork this September. Anyone think it's good book club choice? Check it on Amazon

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Demolition begins Monday morning, August 6th!  Here's the plan that received the permit.  Check it out and let us know if you have any suggestions before it's a done deal.