I had just arrived back to my motel last Friday night after a long 8 hour day consulting with a group of 50 directors, teachers, and ECE college professors in Monterey about the Values of the Reggio Approach. Checking my e-mail, I clicked onto NSWParents to view the latest blog entries. It was filled with the best of what we do and immediately my agenda for the next day’s seminar shifted. My brain “buzzed” and I could barely contain myself with the possibilities that were sparked by the latest entries. Sophisticated problem solving on the yard, valuing small group work and building a crib for the babies as a gift, sharing what we do with the children by bringing parents together to construct ideas through materials, representing what we know about each other through drawings, and so much more.
Before the start of the new school year, the teachers gather together to reflect on the year’s accomplishments and reconstruct strategies to help in those areas that might have worked better if done differently. Because it is important that we share the same vision as we move forward together, we write a Whole School Intention, a declaration that sharpens the lens as we continue our work with the children and families. It’s posted in the hallway as you enter the school:
Teachers, parents, and children together will explore and make visible our developing experiences to promote stronger connections and relationships with each other as a group within the school and with the outside community.
As hard as it is to slow down, to design curriculum that has us really listening and following the interests of the children, and to reflect on our work to extend not only their learning, but ours as well, we must find the time to document the process. It is the Documentation of the work that is Making the Learning Visible. Through the entries on this week’s blog alone, our values inspired by the Reggio approach are clear. We can see that our environment supports:
– children as strong, competent, amazing learners
– our role as teachers is one of researchers and guides as we learn together
– children learn in different ways, through 100 Languages, that via the support of a variety of materials they can express their ideas
– Parents are Partners and a strong part of our community
Thanks to all of you. . . to all of us. We are truly an amazing Community of Learners and it is very clear that we are better together. xoxoxxoRoleen