Winter Wonderings

Greetings to all!

I want to invite you to take a look at the blog about the playground again, especially the comments that are posted. Think about the playground not in terms of the "stuff" but rather as an outdoor classroom environment. (I know, sounds like splitting hairs but remember, that's one purpose of this blog--to encourage you to examine your work a little differently.) Now, how can you and your children vision this space through that lens? What would it take to make our outdoor space reflect that vision? Then post your comments for all of us to see and reflect back on.

And, as I mentioned, no ideas, no grant writing!!

Thank you for all your hard work in making our early childhood open house a successful event. Lots of good questions and comments from families.

Finally, here's your provocation for the rest of January...

Listen...listen some more...listen again

Then reflect back to the children

"What were you thinking?"

"What did you mean?"

"I'd like to understand that better."

"Tell me about that. Tell me more."

In your work the rest of this month, try for deeper understanding of what is going on through the children's work. Please post your reflections so we all know what you've heard. It's a great way to work collaboratively!

Playground Provocations

It has been brought to my attention that our east playground at Central could use updating and remodeling.

There are, of course, a couple different ways to go about doing this.

The first is to generate ideas as to what those updates, remodels, revamps, etc. should/could look like.

My question to you is: what do the children think they should be able to do on the playground? What could the playground look like? In other words, let's approach this from an inquiry perspective rather than "How much stuff could we buy with $5,000" standpoint.

Before moving forward on anything playground-related, I think it's important that we ask the children what they think about the playground.

So in the comments that you can post to this blog, would you suggest ways that teachers can engage their classrooms in conversations about the playground? If you would do that before January 17, it would give everyone ideas on talking with the children about the playground.

There is a $5,000 Lowe's grant that I'd like to apply for to be used toward revamping the playground. But I want to use the children's ideas and suggestions in writing the grant, which is due Feb. 15. Also, we can request money from capital for the playground.

Looking forward to hearing from you on this!

Post Holiday Presents for All!

Welcome to 2007!

This fall, Peggy Rick agreed that a good way to spend some of the cookie dough fund raising money would be to purchase digital cameras and docking printers for each classroom. All the coordinators feel that this will help as you document the children's a work. Documenting is a critical part of inquiry since it allows you to show others what the children are doing and collaborate with other teachers in thinking about your classroom work. It also allows you to visually "tell" parents what you did each day.

Over winter break, the cameras and printers were ordered. They should be here this week!!

But before you can take your camera and printer to your classroom, you need to post a comment on a way you will use this technology in your work. Once you've done that, the equipment is yours and then we will be waiting and watching to see what you're doing with it!

To paraphrase Garrison Keillor, go out and do good work.

Here's your provocation for this week...and we'd love to see some posted comments back on this and last week's provocation, too!

Question your certainties.