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.