International Bullying Day

“Remember to be gentle with yourself and others. We are all children of chance and none can say why some fields will blossom while others lay brown beneath the August sun. Care for those around you. Look past your differences. Their dreams are no less than yours, their choices no more easily made. And give, give in any way you can, of whatever you posses. To give is to love. To withhold is to wither. Care less for your harvest than for how it is shared and your life will have meaning and your heart will have peace.” Kent Nerburn

If someone asked me what would be the one gift I would bestow on the thousands of children who have passed through the door of our schools. I would say, "The gift of humanity!"

Teach your children to care for others. To accept that no two human beings are the same and that we are not defined by the color of our skin, the length of our hair, the clothes we wear or the riches that we possess.

Everyone of us is a gift. Born to leave a ripple in the waters of life. Will our deeds resonate thought the centuries like those of the greatest minds or the most gifted artist Maybe. But most likely  our contributions will be small yet still profoundly felt by the people who share our lives.

So instill in your children the ability to accept others, to value all human beings weather they are cool or nerdy, short, tall , overweight, rich, poor, black, white, yellow or even green!

The seed or disdain begins early in life. Find a way to sow the seed of acceptance.

The Shadow Screen

The shadow screen is a wonderful addition to a classroom. The children have opportunity to build and see objects grow and shrink. The possibilities are endless and when you add translucent objects, colors explode.

So Much More than A Train!

The Complexity of A Child's Thinking

Quinn began by placing the tubes linearly onto the projector; grouping them according to color and creating three sets of eight.

"I made a train!"

He then looked at the shadows his work had cast on the screen. They did not reflect the tall tubular design he was expecting. Instead, he saw circles which were the tops of the tubes only.
Disappointed he commented,  “It’s not a train.”

To assist him with his intention the teacher placed a table in front of the screen and invited him to make his train again to see if he could cast a shadow that would be long, "tubular." This time he lined the tubes in an alternating pattern. When he was finished making one row, he looked at the screen but did not see any shadows. The shadows of his tubes remained on the table surface.

“It’s on the table now,” he said.

“How can we make the shadows go onto the screen?” asked his teacher.

Quinn looked at the shadows on the table and then had a remarkable idea. He added a second set of (alternating) tubes, placing them at the point where the shadows of the first set ended: thereby extending the shadow length to reach the screen.

“Look, the shadow is on the screen now!”

As an alternate construction, Quinn used cups to attain a similar outcome. This time Quinn discovered that he would need three rows of cups to reach the screen. In this experience he also grouped the cups by color. Although the starting point for both experiences was the same, at the end of the first shadow, Quinn realized that he needed three rows of cups to reach the screen because of their shorter length in comparison to the longer tubes.

Good Morning

Dear Colleagues I apologize for the delay in posting these past few months. It has been a hectic time at Reggio Kids.

Please stay tuned for new and exciting work!

The Toronto Zoo Welcomes a New Baby Polar Bear

You can imagine how excited the children were to have a rare opportunity to see a baby polar bear at the Toronto Zoo.

Although he is safe and well cared for in his new home, the children did take note that the Zoo is not the real home of these magnificent creatures; The Arctic is where he belongs. How much longer can these creatures survive the challenges of global warming?

An Intimate Moment

 

It is in this intimate exchange between an infant and his teacher that we see the importance of slowing down, valuing relationships and giving attention to the child. Even in silence, a teacher who values a child, can have a powerful moment of exchange.

Carlo explores the Jello and then in an offering, without words, extends his hand and invites his teacher to do the same.

This exchange serves as a reminder for us to see the world through the child's eyes as he explores and builds knowledge. When a teacher is attentive, she will find innumerable opportunities such as this one. Often we are pressed to find that moment when a child makes a monumental discovery but the heart of our work lies in moments such as these!

Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.  ~Etty Hillesum

The Complexity of Design

This city erected by Henry and several other classmates was a engineering feat as they encounterd some challenges presented by the very nature of the materials chosen.

"Divine Nature gave the fields, human art built the cities." ~Marcus Terentius Varro, De Re Rustica

The Story of a Pig and His Friend Charlotte

Charlotte's web is a story of friendship and courage. By its very nature this tale offers many learning opportunities as teachers reflect on the importance of accepting differences (Should Wilbur die because he is the rut of the litter?  Should people be excluded because they are not the same?) When Charlotte dies the children learn about the cycle of life (sadly to everything there is a season). Characters,setting and plot are studied. New words are discovered and reading becomes joyful.

The Power of Documentation Lies In The Picture

A good picture lends power to documentation. Even before I look at the document that accompanies an experience, I turn to the picture to tell me the story, to identify the learning, to make the connection, to show the child's emotions, interests and expressed theories.

Capturing those perfect moments and the complexity of learning, requires an attentive teacher. One who is actively engaged in the process of constructing knowledge.

While documenting bear in mind that the pictures are just as important as the accompanying discourse and comments. For the parents of the children, the pictures may be more meaningful because most often they observe the pictures rather than read lengthy explanations. Thus, good pictures are crucial to effective documentation.

It is the thinking that you are seeking, that powerful moment when the child makes a connection. Effective pictures tell what the child is learning, thinking or intending to do not just only what he/she is actually doing. Especially with younger children, when language is limited, your pictures are the most powerful documentation tool. Ensure good visibility to the child’s face.Facial expressions will tell their story.

Digital cameras allow you to take many photos so snap away. When you have a quiet moment you can select the ones that demonstrate the process best.

 

 Group pictures are equally as important in the constructing and deconstructing of theories. This is especially true with older children where much happens in group discourse and work. 

Embedded in the Wings of A Butterfly What did We See?

A chance encounter with a monarch butterfly led to the making of this exceptional mosaic.

As the children looked at the wing span of the butterfly they thought they saw a human face. Was that the case? At the same time new loose materials arrived at the school and the teachers asked the children if they would like to design their own "human face" butterfly using some of the intriguing materials.  How would they design it? Suggestions were made to use google image to find the ideal model. Although the first recommendation from the teacher was for the children  to make their own drawings they were far too excited when they discovered this exceptional image.

                               Have a look at the city in motion project and take a stroll in the country!

Click the link on the right of the page-enjoy!

The Nutcracker- A SK Holiday Favorite!

It’s a cozy Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum’s house. Their house is decorated with Christmas ornaments, wreaths, stockings, mistletoe and in the center of it all, a majestic Christmas tree. As the Stahlbaum’s prepare for their annual Christmas party, their children, Fritz and Clara, wait anxiously for their family and friends to arrive. When the guests finally appear, the party picks up with dancing and celebration. A mysterious guest arrives dressed in dark clothing, nearly frightening Fritz, but not Clara. Clara knows he is Godfather Drosselmeyer, the toymaker. His surprise arrival is warmly accepted and all the children dance and carry on with laughter. The celebration is interrupted again when Drosselmeyer reveals to the children that he has brought them gifts. The girls receive beautiful china dolls and the boys receive bugles. Fritz is given a beautiful drum, but Clara is given the best gift of all, the Nutcracker. Fritz grows jealous, snatches the Nutcracker from Clara and plays a game of toss with the other boys. It isn't long until the Nutcracker breaks. Clara is upset, but Drosselmeyer fixes it with a handkerchief. Drosselmeyer’s nephew offers Clara a small make-shift bed under the Christmas tree for her injured Nutcracker.

The party grows late and the children become sleepy. Everyone generously thanks the Stahlbaum’s before they leave. As Clara’s family retires to bed, she checks on her Nutcracker one last time and ends up falling asleep under the Christmas tree with the Nutcracker in her arms. At the stroke of midnight Clara wakes up to a frightening scene. The house, the tree and the toys seem to be getting larger. Is she shrinking? Out of nowhere large mice dressed in army uniforms, lead by the Mouse King, begin to circle the room while the toys and Christmas tree come to life. Clara’s Nutcracker groups the soldier toys into battle formation and fights the mouse army. The Mouse King traps the Nutcracker in the corner, but the Nutcracker can’t overcome the Mouse King’s strength. Clara makes a desperate move to save her Nutcracker from defeat and throws her slipper at the Mouse King. She hits him directly in the head! The Nutcracker is able to overcome the stunned Mouse King and claims victory. The mice army quickly carries away their King.

Clara falls onto the Nutcracker’s bed, over-whelmed by the moment. As angels and delightful music hover over their heads, the bed turns into a magical sleigh, floating higher and higher. The Nutcracker is transformed into a human prince (who looks strikingly similar to Drosselmeyer’s nephew). He gets on Clara’s sleigh and drives through a snowy forest where the snowflakes turn into dancing maidens.

After their magical journey through the snow forest, they come to their destination in the Land of Sweets. Clara can’t believe her eyes; ladyfinger mountains topped with whipped cream whiter than snow, sweetly glazed flowers and butter-cream frosting everywhere she looks. Upon their arrival, they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. As they reenact the night’s events, the Sugar Plum Fairy becomes impressed with Clara’s bravery and the Nutcracker’s heroism. In their honor, the Sugar Plum Fairy takes them inside the Candy Castle and throws a lavish festival. They are treated like royalty and presented with every imaginable sweet. Shortly thereafter, the dancing begins.

Hot coco dances to the lively music of trumpets and castanets of the Spanish fandango. The women of coffee dance in veils and move their bodies like rising steam to an Arabian song, while Mandarin tea dances to an exotic Asian flute chorus. Matroishkas (Russian dolls) follow the Mandarin tea leaping and dancing to an invigorating Russian Trepak.

To Clara’s enjoyment there is still more to be seen. A giant gingerbread house, known as Mother Ginger, dances onto the Sugar Plum Fairy’s court. She opens her skirt and eight little gingerbread children come dancing out circling around her. After the Mirliton dance is over, the children quickly file back into the large gingerbread house and Mother Ginger leaves the room. Soon after Mother Ginger exits, the dancing flowers enter to the tune of the harp. Perhaps the most beautiful waltz she has ever heard, Clara and the Nutcracker Prince watch with amazement. The flowers dance in beautiful mesmerizing patterns as a single Dewdrop floats above them.

Silence quickly follows the end of their dance. Clara doesn’t know what to expect next. A handsome Cavalier enters the scene and escorts the Sugar Plum Fairy to the center of the room. They dance to the most recognizable song in the entire work. The captivating pair dance lighter than air. This beautiful dance completes Clara’s most perfect evening. The festival concludes when everyone comes together on the court and bids Clara and the Nutcracker Prince farewell. She tells the Nutcracker she wishes the adventure would never end and he tells her it won’t for those who have an eye to see it.

Clara wakes up the next morning under the Christmas tree with her Nutcracker still in her arms. http://classicalmusic.about.com/od/balletsynopses/a/thenutcracker_2.htm

The Christmas Tree Festival

The use of evergreens to decorate homes during the Christmas season dates back to the beginning of the 19th century.  But these hardy trees were used much earlier by pagan cultures who believed that they represented life and hope; two much needed elements to sustain people through long frigid winter months. Candles were used to light the ends of the tree branches to ward off evil spirits that were at their worst during the coldest days.