Blog Spotlight: Cheryl Briggs

We are so pleased to highlight another wonderful educator in our Reggio community! This month we are featuring Cheryl Briggs from St. John's-Ravenscourt School. 

Instagram and Twitter @teachkcb

I am currently a Kindergarten teacher with over 23 years of teaching experience. The majority of my teaching has taken place in independent schools. I have tried several different early years grades; including a development of a nursery program, a Junior Kindergarten/Senior Kindergarten split grade and Kindergarten through Grade 2.

With all my years of experience I continue to return to Kindergarten as this is my passion. I love the age of the students and their eagerness to learn along with their questions and reasoning. They are like little sponges soaking up as much knowledge and learning that they can!

How and when did I become interested in RE?

It was about 7 years ago when our Junior School began our journey with the Reggio Inspired philosophies and exploration into how well it would fit our Junior School. After being introduced to the newer thinking it was like a lightbulb went off as I realized that this fit perfectly with my own beliefs and how I hoped to plan and implement programming and the environment for my students.

I felt comfortable implementing many of the practises and the environment as the third teacher. It just felt right!

What are my favourite aspects of the philosophy?

I have so many but just a few of the most significant aspects for me are:

·       -Children are innately curious and Reggio lends itself to allowing this to happen in the classroom

·       -The philosophy values the child as capable and with interests that can lead and drive many wonderful inquiries

·       -Communication and group work are other ways to discover things, asking those “thicker” questions. I value the collaborative process.

·       -Teachers are the facilitators of the childrens’ learning. They provide the opportunities for exploration and learning alongside the student

·       -The environment allows the children to explore, learn and discover

·       -Documentation of their learning is a valuable tool for both the student and the teacher. The children are able to reflect on their own learning and there is evidence of this learning for the teacher as well

·       -The documentation also allows the students to demonstrate their learning in many different ways. “The Hundred Languages of Children”

What books/resources would I recommend?

Working in the Reggio Way-Julianne P. Wurm

Emergent Curriculum in the Primary Classroom-Carol Anne Wien

We Are All Explorers-Daniel L. Scheinfeld and Karen MarieHaigh

The Hundred Languages of Children-Carolyn Edwards and LellaGandini

What do I find challenging?

I suppose the most challenging component would be that we of course still have a curriculum for a province which drives much of programming and being able to develop a program that incorporates the best of the Reggio approach with the curriculum to provide a valuable educational experience for all students.

How has my teaching changed since I began learning about RE?

I have felt much better with some gentle guidance letting the children being involved in their own learning and trust that they can certainly be a part of this. I have let their questions and inquiry lead us down some interesting roads to some deeper thinking and understanding of concepts and ideas. My classroom reflects the shift to it being their place of learning and understanding with me learning alongside them. It is a wonderful and rewarding way to teach and learn. I have been able to have the students document more of their own learning in various ways which is so valuable for the students and myself.

In May 2015, I had the privilege, along with other educators from Winnipeg, to join a Canadian Study Group through the Ontario Reggio Association to visit the Loris Malaguzzi Centre and some schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. This was truly the best professional development I have experienced in all my years of teaching. I learned so much from the educators at the schools, as well as many of the teachers from across Canada that were present from the study group. I came home even further inspired to have my classroom be a place where the students are a part of their own learning!

"Walkshop" and AGM Recap

 On June 6th the Manitoba Reggio Inspired Coalition of Educators hosted a nature workshop with Mavis-Lewis-Webber.

With Mavis Lewis-Webber guiding us through the forest we leaned about sustainability - the first plant you leave because it is a gift, second plant you leave for the animals, third plant is for the next generation and the fourth plant you can take a small sample of.

Thanks to everyone who was able to attend this fabulous event!

"Walkshop": Developing a Relationship with the Natural World & AGM

“With society seemingly moving farther away from nature, there is a stronger need for schools to focus on creating more opportunities for children to experience it. Children and nature belong together. They need no formal introduction, just time for the relationship to grow; nature introduces itself.” ~ Strengthening Relationships with the Natural World in a Reggio Emilia Inspired Preschool in Atlanta, Georgia by Susan Edwards and Gabriela Garcia, Innovations in Early Childhood, Winter 2013

We are looking forward to closing out our 2016-17 season exploring with Mavis Lewis-Webber who believes children and the adults in their lives thrive in the great outdoors. This hands on interactive outdoor ‘walkshop’ will explore the natural space at FortWhyte Alive. Mavis will share ideas on how to safely take children into natural spaces so they can develop a relationship with the natural world. 

Mavis is a trained Forest School educator who mentors others in their learning journey. Mavis loves living in the Interlake and wandering the trails on her 80 acres.

DATE AND TIME

Tue, 6 June 2017

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDT

Siobhan Richardson Field Station

Fort Whyte Alive 

1961 McCreary Rd 

Winnipeg, MB R3P 2K9

Is there a cost for this event?

A donation to the silver collection at the registration table is gratefully appreciated.

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

We suggest carpooling to the event. Parking in the main lot and planning for a short 20 min. walk into the Siobhan Richardson Research Station is recommended. 

What can I bring into the event?

• BYOW - Bring your own water
• Dress for the weather on that day. Wear long pants and close-toed shoes as we will be walking on uneven ground in the bush. You may encounter forest creatures (mosquito’s and possibly wood ticks) so come prepared. 

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Snarozniak@RRC.CA

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

You are not required to print your ticket. Please check in at the registration desk and pick up your name tag upon arrival. 

Can I update my registration information?

This is a wait-listed event. If you are unable to attend those on the wait-list will be happy to replace you. Should you need to make a change to your registration please contact the organizer.

Register HERE

A Wonderful Evening of Clay Play

Recently we hosted our first hands-on clay workshop! We were overwhelmed at the response as spots filled quickly and we had people on the waiting list only two days after announcing the workshop. We will definitely host more of these type of experiences in the future.

On that note, please let us know if you have any other ideas for workshops you'd like to attend.

The workshop was split into two components. Half of the evening was spent reading, reflecting and discussing the articles, "Stepping into Clay" and "Using clay to scaffold and understand children's expressions." There was rich conversation and dialogue about using clay with young children. It was so inspiring to learn together in a room full of such diverse and experienced educators.

The second half of the evening began with an introduction to clay by Kim Crass and Ashley Taylor from Riverbend Community School. They led us through an introduction to clay with clay considered as a gift from Mother Earth. Participants were encouraged to experience the clay with ALL of their senses.

Then we all got to put our learning into action and sink our fingers into the clay. I really enjoyed listening to everyone's thoughtful dialogue as they worked with the clay.

Ideas such as exploring the properties of clay, blocking the clay, pinch-pot work, rolling/slab work and coil pot work were explored and many different pieces were created.  A variety of tools (many of them found objects) were used to imprint, shape and create. Participants learned a bit about respecting clay as a medium and how to introduce clay into curriculum with preschool and school age children. 

Use of clay to develop a new or different perspective when children study a scheme or idea is an exciting opportunity. Children can benefit from the fine motor skill challenge as well as develop a creative perspective while exploring this modality. 

Clay is one of the Hundred Languages of children and it is one that helps children to bring their ideas from photos, sketches, or paintings to life!

Working with Clay: A Reggio-Insired Perspective

We are so excited to announce our second networking event of the 2016-17 season.

Come and explore the beauty of clay play as one of the modalities of The Hundred Languages available to children as they express their learning potential.

 

Please follow the link below to Eventbrite for location information and to register.

Clay Workshop Registration

Clay Workshop Registration

Reggio-Inspired Spotlight: Simone Penner

Our February blog spotlight educator is Simone Penner. I actually met Simone on a Canadian study tour in Reggio-Emilia a number of years ago. I am so excited that she has been willing to share her story here. 

If you are interested in being featured on our blog, or know someone who should, please contact us at manitobarice@gmail.com. Please note, we are looking for educators at various points in their journey. We all have something to share.

About Myself...

I have been in the child care field since 1990 and during that time have seen many positive changes.  I was instrumental in implementing the emergent curriculum to a program who was implementing a theme based curriculum.  I then worked with senior administers at Balmoral Hall School to introduce one of a kind child care experience for 2-3-year-old girls. I have been the Director of BH Beginnings Child Care since it's conception in 2009.  The child care program is located in Balmoral Hall School, an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 2 years to grade 12.  The program is influenced by the Reggio Emilia pedagogy and I have been so fortunate to have attended a Canadian Study Group in Reggio Emilia, Italy as well as several NAREA conferences. 

Contact Information:

Simone Penner

Director BH Beginnings Child Care
Balmoral Hall School
630 Westminster Ave.
Winnipeg MB R3C 3S1

204-784-1600 ext 642

spenner@balmoralhall.ca
balmoralhall.com

Instagram   BHbeginnings

Twitter @BHbeginnings

MB RICE: How and when did you become interested in RE?

Interestingly enough, prior to starting BH Beginnings Child Care in 2009, I was fully immersed in emergent curriculum.  I gained a passion for that while learning it with a student I was mentoring years prior.  She had an emergent curriculum project to complete and at the time we were a theme based program. 

When I interviewed for my current position as Director, I did some background research on Reggio Emilia. While I found it very interesting, with opening a new center I didn't really have a full appreciation of it until a few years later. I found I was then better prepared to really delve into the Reggio Emilia pedagogy and I began to study it in detail. In May of 2014, I had the extraordinary opportunity to attend a Canadian Study Group in Reggio Emilia, Italy. As you can imagine, being in the place where this philosophy was founded and seeing first hand Reggio Emilia centers and schools, I found a whole new appreciation their methods.  

MBRICE: What are your favourite aspects of the philosophy?

I really appreciate the belief that children are capable.  It sounds so simple but when I looked at my program and broke it down, I realized that we could be allowing the children much more freedom to explore. Although we had always encouraged independence, we had to change our mindset to allow the children even more opportunities to be independent. A very simple example of this is the time a teacher needed to put left over oranges as well as a half jug of milk in the fridge in the other room.  As he stood trying to gain the attention of an educator, I asked if he needed the items to go in the fridge. I suggested he give the oranges and milk to two 3 year old children who were close by and ask them to put them in the fridge. Of course, they were easily able to accomplish this task and they were so proud to have done it. This illustrates what I mean by changing our mindset to see the children as capable. 

Another aspect of the RE philosophy would have to be the collaboration that takes place between the educators. Everyone has an opinion and everyone has value. When we put our opinions and ideas together the possibilities are limitless. We have to learn to listen to each other and accept their feedback and opinions in a non-defensive manner. Just because someone has a differing opinion or idea, does not mean they disagree with you or think you have no value, it means they are an individual with their own creative mind. 

MBRICE: What books/resources would you recommend?

Source

I love the book called Beautiful Stuff!: Learning with Found Materials by Cathy Weisman Topal (Author), Lella Gandini (Author).  This book breaks down an project in simple forms and yet can be very deep in terms of the possibilities for exploration. 

Source

Another book that is more of a study book is The Hundred Languages of Children The Reggio Emilia Approach – Advanced Reflection. It is slow reading as you are studying more than reading but it gives a very clear picture of the Reggio Emilia method. 

MBRICE: What do you find challenging?

One of the areas I find challenging is trying to convey my first hand experiences with my staff. I have had to take baby steps and remember they were not in Italy with me. Learning the Reggio Emilia approach is a never-ending process that each person learns at their own pace based on their experiences and how they internalize their knowledge. When I returned from Italy, I had so many big ideas but I really had to step them back and go through a process with the staff. Otherwise they would be implementing things without the knowledge of why they were doing so. 

Learning the Reggio Emilia method is a process that is continually adapting and growing. As such, each educator is on their own path way and this makes it both interesting and challenging when we meet to collaborate. On occasion it is difficult to share your view point as the others may be taking what you are saying in a defensive or literal manner. As challenging as the process of collaboration can be, it encourages us to listen with open minds to each other. 

MBRICE: How has your teaching changed since you began learning about RE?

It’s pretty hard to narrow down the changes we have made since really studying the Reggio Emilia pedagogy. The biggest change that happened since I returned from Italy and had first-hand knowledge of their teaching method was to open the doors between the two classrooms to create a larger area for the children to explore. Previous to opening the doors, they children were mostly in their own room with their core educators and the children assigned to the same room. We no longer have duplicate centers in each class but rather more enhanced areas. The children are welcome to explore the entire center as well as gain stronger relationships with the all the educators and the children. We view the children as being capable of guiding their learning and this reaches to their decisions as far as their environment. 

Another change would have to be the realization that as a program, we were often beginning in the middle of a project and needed to step it back to the very beginning. For example, we needed to have time introducing items in their simplest form and then observing to see what the children's prior knowledge is. We tended to start off in a very big manner. I have attempted to bring the families and teachers together in a way that fosters our sense of community with in the program. Last year we held our first Whimsical Art Walk for the families. Each child made several artifacts there were complete with documentation of their thoughts on their project. These artifacts were creatively displayed in our park like back yard and the children took their families through to experience the art gallery. The event was amazing and provided a break from the parent's busy lives. I have to say throughout the entire event, I did not see one person on their phone.  Everyone was engaged with viewing the art and spending time with each other. 

November Networking: Robertson Early Enrichment Program

Way back in November we had the honour of hosting a networking evening at the stunning SSCY's Robertson Early Enrichment Program.

We began the night by hearing from Pat Furman, who has been the Executive Director of the Robertson Early Enrichment Program from it's beginning. She shared about how the program came to be and the logistics of running a centre of this size and caliber. 

We also heard from Alana Chernecki who was responsible for the design of the space. It was heartwarming to see how much thought and care went into each and every choice, always keeping the child at the centre. If you have questions for Alana or just want to check out more of her work, please visit her website at *brillantedesign.ca

“Our mission is to provide and promote a high quality program to all children, families, educators and the community, taking into account the unique individual needs of the children.” - Robertson EEP

Finally we heard from Ohla Zablotski who is the pedagogical leader at the centre. She explained her role and the considerations that go into setting out invitations for the children. 

We were then welcomed to tour the space. It was beautifully set out as if waiting for the children to arrive. Everywhere you looked there were thoughtfully curated invitations for learning.

Thanks again to Robertson Early Enrichment Program for hosting such an inspiring event.