Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Updating Professional Development Resource Library

This summer we rearranged the resource library.

Now, some of you may be saying, "I didn't know we had a resource library!"

The books previously located on the counter behind the mailboxes at Central were moved to the shelves opposite Peggy Rick's desk. Many of the books previously on the shelves were quite dated so we donated them to the recycling center. The books are now arranged primarily by subject matter and include resources for teachers working in preschool through school aged.

One of the shelves has the Reggio Emilia resources. Amazingly enough (at least to me), there is a list of resources that have been purchased over the last two years. A number of these books are currently not on the shelf and my sincere hope is that you have these and are using them. (There is no formal check out system for the resources; we'll stick with the honor system :) ).

However, I am looking to purchase some additional resources and before moving forward with that, I want to make sure that we still do have the books I think we have.

To that end, could you please either leave a comment here or email me to let me know if you have one of these books and DO IT NOW. Thanks. Also, if there are any resources you think would be a valuable addition to our professional development library, let me know.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE TITLES?
First Steps Toward Teaching the Reggio Way
Possible Schools: The Reggio Approach to Urban Education
Powerful Children: Understanding How to Teach and Learn Using the Reggio Approach
Are You Listening? Fostering Conversations That Help Young Children Learn
Bringing Learning to Life: A Reggio Approach to Early Childhood Education
In the Spirit of the Studio: Learning from the Atelier of Reggio Emilia

Thursday, September 24, 2009

SLP Pre-K Curriculum Night: Part Deux

I am so glad that you are giving considerable thought to how SLP Pre-K Curriculum night can best reflect the way that you are exploring inquiry in your classrooms--and how you can best communicate that with parents.

The activity described in the previous post might work for you. And if it does not, I want to warmly encourage you to put it aside and think about what you want to do with this opportunity to share with parents where you are on your Reggio journey. That authentic way will make sense to you and to the parents. So please, make your evening plans on that basis. Also, rather than 40 minutes with the parents, let's think about 15-20 minutes.

If you have other questions or comments or ideas, please either post them as a comment or just chat it up with me! These are, to use the parlance, a provocation for my thinking as well and a great gift for which I am most appreciative.

Monday, September 21, 2009

SLP Pre-K Curriculum Information Night October 6

We're getting excited about the first ever SLP Pre-K Curriculum Night on Tuesday, October 6, at Central Community Center in the gym.

This event is for all parents whose children participate in any SLP Pre-K program. Parents in the ECFE infant, toddler and 2 year old classes are welcome to attend. The focus of the evening will be how the classes are inspired by Reggio Emilia and the inquiry approach to the curriculum.

Lead teachers, and in SLP Kids' Place Pre-K, lead teachers and group leaders, should plan to attend. Assistants and parent educators are welcome to participate, too!

The agenda will include about 1/2 hour of a presentation regarding the ECIPs and how our inquiry approach addresses this. It will also describe IB, the central ideas and again, how our inquiry approach prepares all children to be successful when they enter K. The presentation will encourage parents to be active participants in their child's learning by reading documentation posted outside the classrooms, asking questions of teachers, children and others in their classroom community, sharing their ideas and expertise with the classroom community.

The remainder of the night will offer parents an opportunity to 'experience' an inquiry approach to a topic. Here's where you come in!

Lisa, Peggy and I would like each LEAD TEACHER in every classroom, in collaboration with your teaching team(s), to develop an activity based on "Hopes and Dreams." How you want the parents to approach this is completely up to you but remember, this is their introduction to the difference between product and process. (This doesn't mean there can't be some sort of take-away when they're done.) Keep the emphasis on what they bring to the table and can contribute to the activity. Talk to each other to share and shape your ideas. We're glad to be part of those conversations as well.

That evening we will have long tables set up around the perimeter of the gym with chairs so you can put out your provocations for the parents. Parents will be given about 5 minutes to wander around the gym, looking for a "Hopes and Dreams" provocation that appeals to them. They will be encouraged to choose on that basis, not simply 'flock' to their child's teacher. They will have about 40 minutes to work with their group and the teacher should document the process. The evening will end with teachers sharing their documentation and parents given the opportunity to make comments, ask questions, etc.


Sunday, September 20, 2009

A message from ECFE Advisory Council Chair Lauri Kraft to ECFE staff

Hello!
Welcome to another school year -- we are again scheduling classroom visits to introduce people to the ECFE Advisory Council and let them know about the events we hold throughout the year.

We will also be passing out volunteer forms this year. We are always happy to have new council members, but we thought this might give people a chance to get involved with an event or two without having to make a year-round commitment.

It would be helpful if you could spare a few minutes during class to let people fill these out. We are planning to be more event-based and do fewer typical fundraisers this year, so volunteer support will be important. Thank you!

Please let me know if you have any questions or need more information. Thanks, as always, for your support and for all you do for our children!
Lauri Kraft

Friday, September 18, 2009

Thinking about adding additional media to your art supplies?

From the Reggio listserv...

In Minneapolis area, we have a clay company called Continental Clay, and if you do not plan on firing the clay in a kiln, you can get a bag of clay that is from the end run of on clay and start of another for $3.95. It is a big bag- 25 lbs maybe. Maybe if you have a clay company near by, it would be worth asking about...
here is the website- they do ship!

New Information about H1N1

News Release

September 17, 2009
Officials update guidelines for handling flu-like illness in child care settings and pre-school programs More protective measures recommended for children under five years of age
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has issued updated recommendations for handling influenza-like illness in child care settings and early childhood education programs that serve children under the age of five. A major provision of the recommendations involves the amount of time a child should be kept home with possible symptoms of influenza.

MDH is recommending that parents keep children under five at home until seven days after the symptoms first appeared or 24 hours after a child's symptoms go away, whichever is longer. The updated recommendations call for keeping young children out of child care longer than school-age children who develop symptoms of influenza are kept out of school. If they feel well enough, school-age children may return to school twenty-four hours after their fever has resolved without the use of fever-reducing medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. The stricter child care recommendations also apply to facilities where children under five and older children are both present, unless the two groups – as well as staff who interact with them – can be kept separate.

MDH is taking a more protective approach than is currently called for in federal guidance for young children, primarily because they are at higher risk of severe illness from the novel H1N1 virus. In Minnesota, children under five have been hospitalized with novel H1N1 at twice the rate of children aged five to 12 years. "Observing precautions for preventing the spread of influenza is often not very feasible for young children," said Dr. Ruth Lynfield, Minnesota State Epidemiologist. "For a young child, it can be difficult to control a runny nose and to cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. In addition, young children tend to put shared toys and other items in their mouths. Frequent handwashing is also a challenge. For these reasons, influenza and other infectious diseases are easier to spread among young children." "We believe extra precautions are justified to protect the health of children in this very vulnerable age group," Lynfield said.

The new guidelines, which are part of the agency's ongoing effort to control the spread of novel H1N1, come at a time when influenza activity is increasing statewide. Minnesota is now reporting "widespread" influenza activity – the highest classification under the system used by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition to the more stringent recommendation about how long to keep preschoolers home, MDH is also recommending that facilities or programs serving preschool age children take the following actions:
Strongly encourage staff to get vaccinated against both novel H1N1 and regular, "seasonal" influenza as soon as vaccine is available. Shipments of this year's seasonal vaccine have already been arriving in the state. The first shipments of novel H1N1 vaccine are expected in early to mid-October.

  • Strongly encourage parents to have their child vaccinated against both kinds of influenza as soon as vaccine is available. Children under six months of age can't be vaccinated, but older children should be vaccinated against both kinds of flu.

  • Encourage parents to talk with their health care provider, and identify the steps they will take if their child develops – or is exposed to – influenza-like illness.

  • Notify parents and staff if either children or staff in child care or other early childhood programs become ill with symptoms of influenza.

  • Clean all areas of your facility regularly, with an emphasis on objects or surfaces that are likely to be in contact the hands, mouths, or bodily fluids of children.

  • Parents should also determine how they will handle caring for their child if their child has to stay home with an influenza-like illness, said Kathryn Como-Sabetti, Senior Epidemiologist at MDH.

Public health officials are also emphasizing the importance of simple, "low-tech" prevention measures in protecting yourself against the flu. "We're not expecting to have the novel H1N1 vaccine available until early to mid-October," Como-Sabetti said. "That's another reason to keep stressing those simple personal protection measures that we've been telling people about since April."

In addition to covering your coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or a tissue, and frequent handwashing, health officials are urging ill people to stay at home. Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In some cases, symptoms of novel H1N1 can also include vomiting and diarrhea in addition to respiratory symptoms. In most cases, people can recover at home without the need for visiting a health care provider.

Individuals who are at high risk of severe illness or complications from influenza should talk to their doctor and plan for what to do if they are exposed to influenza or develop influenza symptoms. Those who may be at risk include children under five years of age – especially if they're under the age of two years; people 65 years of age or older; pregnant women; and people with underlying medical conditions. Antiviral medications are frequently used to treat high-risk patients, but they need to be given promptly to be most effective. People who do develop severe symptoms from influenza should seek medical care promptly. It is also important to ensure that sick people have enough fluids to drink. Aspirin or medications containing aspirin should not be given to anyone 18 and under with influenza- like symptoms. For more information about novel H1N1 flu, go to www.mdhflu.com.
-MDH-

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Anyone? Anyone?

Dear Reggio-Inspired Folks, Reminder news about the 'save-the date' we sent earlier.

Please come and join with us to honor our work, past and present and celebrate the launch of the new Reggio-Inspired Network of Minnesota. Meet others interested in education, the citizenship of children and the inspiration of Reggio Emilia.

I'll be there!

You are invited to celebrate with other educators, enjoy wine and special hors d’oeuvres; many examples of documentation; a large scale collage experience about the twin cities area and special guests Sage Cowles, Nan Skelton and Joanne Spencer. . It will be a great experience and opportunity.


Thursday, October 1
6:00 to 8:00 pm
Open Book
1011 Washington Ave. S.
Mpls, MN 55415

No reservations are necessary. For more information phone 952 426-5020
[Link]www.mnbookarts.org for directions, etc.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Replicating a Success: Schedule for the Rec Area

Last year, your wonderful ideas transformed the Rec Area from dull to dazzling! The feedback from everyone who used the space was positive and then some. I'm hoping you're all willing to share the responsibility for this space again this year. And we need a volunteer to start in October, since our schedule last year began in November. Anyone? Anyone?

Here are the expectations:
1. In general, the Rec Area should be kept clean and picked up. If anything breaks while you are in there, it is important to tell the front office so the item(s) can be repaired in a timely fashion.
2. During your month of providing activities, let the other early childhood teachers whose classes use the Rec Area know what activities you are bringing into the room for their use. I'm glad to post it for you here or write it on the white board on the back door in the Main Office.
3. Activities can be stored in the closet, returned after use.
4. Rotate activities that you already have or would like to develop. Unfortunately we don't have the budget to add more climbing equipment (for example) at this time but keep this in mind when you are asked to submit capital items. These activities, equipment, etc. will remain in the Rec Area only for the month you are responsible for providing activities. Remember what may feel like old hat to you could be new and exciting to another teacher and class. Also, check through your storage areas--what innovative ways could things in there be used in the Rec Area?
5. Last year, Kim and Cindy documented how they and their children transformed the environment. Perhaps you would do that when it's your turn this year?
5. Have fun with this! It's another way to utilize the environment and expand your teaching practice.

SCHEDULE:

November Jodi and Susan (Ready, Set, Kindergarten)
December Deb and Beth (Kids' Place)
January Judy and Allison (Creative Play)
February Beth, Kari and Shelli (PALS+)
March Marcy (Kids' Place Toddlers)
April Kim and Susan (Family Learning)
May Linda (2's Company)

Please let me know if there are any problems or issues with this. Thank you again!!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Essential Agreements

The following are our Essential Agreements as discussed at the SLP Pre-K Back to School Workshop on Thursday, August 27.

We will all adopt an Inquiry stance.
We will communicate back to families about the work we do in our classrooms.
We will work to raise achievement for all students.
We will work to eliminate the predictability of who will do well and who will not.
We will document the children’s progress and our process in supporting that progress.
We will engage in staff development opportunities.
We will provide data and documentation that supports what we are doing is making a difference in student achievement.

At the workshop, we also spent some time discussing the difference between compliance and committment. I am looking for everyone to make a commitment to honoring these essential agreements. Please post a comment to that effect on this blog no later than Friday, September 11.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of the children and families in St. Louis Park.

Preschool Depression

According to a groundbreaking new study, chronic depression can begin as young as age 3. Sara Reistad-Long on the controversy over diagnosing and medicating children.

Posted using ShareThis

I'd suggest that if you read the article, you also scroll down to read the comments following.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Master Calendar of Events

Below is the Master Calendar of Events for SLP Pre-K, including days that school is not in session. You can reference this throughout the year when you have questions about dates.

Please make particular note of the Inquiry into Inquiry (for teachers) and Growing into Inquiry (for assistants) dates. Mark your calendars NOW!

September

1 SCHOOL BEGINS for ECSE students enrolled in SLP PALS+ Pre-K and SLP Ready,
Set, Kindergarten Pre-K
2 SCHOOL BEGINS for SLP Creative Play Pre-K
7 LABOR DAY
8 SLP ECFE All Staff Meeting 3-5 p.m. District Office West Atrium
14 SCHOOL BEGINS for SLP ECFE, Family Learning, First Steps and Ready Set
Kindergarten Pre-K
SLP ECFE Advisory Council 6:30-8:30 p.m., Central room 217
26 SLP Pre-K Vehicle Fair, Central, 10-12

October

1 No PM SLP RSK, PALS+ Pre-K
6 SLP Pre-K Curriculum Night 6:30-8:30, Central gym
9 Inquiry into Inquiry 12:30-2:30 p.m. Central room 217
15 Growing toward Inquiry, 1:30-2:30, Central room 217
12 SLP ECFE Advisory Council, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Central room 217
12-16 No SLP ECFE, First Steps, PALS, PALS + (for typically developing children), RSK (for typically developing children) Pre-K—MEA break
15-16 No SLP Family Learning, PALS+, RSK Pre-K
22 SLP PALS+ and RSK Pre-K Family Fun Night, 6:30 p.m.

November
6 No SLP First Steps Pre-K
9-13 Pre-K Information Week in SLP Pre-K classes
9 SLP ECFE Advisory council 6:30-8:30 p.m.
12 No AM SLP Creative Play, RSK Pre-K
13 Inquiry into Inquiry 12:30-2:30 p.m., Central room 217
19 Growing toward Inquiry 1:30-2:30 p.m., Central room 217
19 SLP Pre-K Information Night, 7-8:30 p.m.
23-27 No SLP ECFE, First Steps, PALS, PALS+, RSK Pre-K
23-24 ECSE and SLP RSK Pre-K conferences
25-27 No SLP Family Learning Pre-K
26-27 Thanksgiving holiday—all school district buildings closed

December

1 Kindergarten Information Nights at AQ and PH, 6:30 p.m.
3 No PM SLP Creative Play, PALS+ and RSK Pre-K
8 SLP PALS+ Pre-K Family Fun Night, 6:30 p.m.
10 SLP RSK Pre-K Concert, 6:30 p.m.
11 Inquiry Into Inquiry, 12:30-2:30, Central room 217
14 SLP ECFE Advisory Council 6:30-8:30 p.m.
17 Growing toward Inquiry, 1:30-2:30, Central room 217
21-Jan. 1 No School SLP Creative Play, ECFE, Family Learning, First Steps, PALS, PALS+, RSK Pre-K
21 Cabin Fever—Pump it Up! 10-11:30 a.m. at Pump it Up in Eden Prairie
22 Cabin Fever—Make it and Take it Plates, 10-11 a.m., Central cafeteria
28 Cabin Fever—Junior Jazzercise, 10-11 a.m., Central
29 Cabin Fever—C is for Cookie, 10-11 a.m., Central

January

4 SLP ECFE Winter-Spring Session registration begins
7 No AM SLP Creative Play, PALS+, RSK Pre-K
SLP PALS+ and RSK Pre-K Family Fun Night, 6:30 p.m.
8 Inquiry into Inquiry, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Central room 217
11 SLP ECFE Advisory Council, 6:30 p.m.
14 Growing toward Inquiry, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Central room 217
PSI Immersion Education Information Night, 6:30 p.m.
18 NO SCHOOL—Martin Luther King holiday
22 NO SLP FIRST STEPS PRE-K
Last day of Fall Session SLP ECFE classes
25-29 No SLP ECFE

February

1 SLP ECFE Winter-Spring Session begins
4 NO PM SLP Creative Play, PALS+, RSK Pre-K
5 Inquiry into Inquiry, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Central room 217
8 SLP ECFE Advisory Council, 6:30 p.m.
11 Growing toward Inquiry, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Central room 217
SLP Pre-K New Orleans Night, 6:30 p.m.
12 Deadline for SLP resident PSI K application
15 NO SCHOOL President’s Day holiday
27 Winter Meltdown, Central, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

March

4 NO AM SLP Creative Play, PALS+, RSK Pre-K
Empty Bowls lunch 11 a.m.-1 p.m., dinner 4:30-7 p.m. Rec Center
5 Inquiry into Inquiry, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Central room 217
8 SLP ECFE Advisory Council, 6:30 p.m.
11 Growing toward Inquiry, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Central room 217
11-12 SLP RSK Conferences
19 NO SLP Creative Play, First Steps, PALS+, RSK Pre-K
26 NO SLP First Steps Pre-K
29-Apr. 2 NO SCHOOL Spring Break

April

9 Inquiry into Inquiry, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Central room 217
12 SLP ECFE Advisory Council, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Central room 217
15 Growing toward Inquiry, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Central room 217
SLP PALS+ and RSK Pre-K Family Fun Night, 6:30 p.m.
17 SLP ECFE Clothing and Toy Sale, Central 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
29 NO PM SLP Creative Play, PALS+, RSK Pre-K

May

7 Inquiry into Inquiry, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Central room 217
10 SLP ECFE Advisory Council, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Central room 217

11 SLP PALS+ Pre-K Concert, 6:30 p.m., Central cafeteria
13 Growing toward Inquiry, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Central room 217
20 SLP Creative Play Pre-K picnic, Oak Hill Park
SLP RSK Pre-K Concert, 6:30 p.m., Central cafeteria
21 LAST DAY SLP Creative Play, ECFE, First Steps, PALS, RSK Pre-K