Beginning our Reggio-Inspired JourneyBrent Elementary ECE Team

An Overview A Brief History

The Philosophy & Basic Principles

Why It Makes Sense for Brent

Responsive Classroom

Similarities and Differences

Our School Day

FAQ, Q &A

Resources

Reggio-Emilia: A History

After WWII, in 1945, the Italian Government gave each town money to use however they saw fit to “restore the community.”

The town of Villa Cella used theirs to build a school, “brick by brick”: Scuola del Popolo.

Loris Malaguzzi

John Dewey

Jean Piaget

Howard Gardner

A combination of theories used in a

new way

Lev VygotskyLella Gandini

Reggio-Emilia: A History

• In 1991, the Reggio Approach gained an International Spotlight as one of Newsweek’s “10 Best Schools in the World”

• Quickly became widely recognized as the best early childhood has to offer

• Educators around the world implement Reggio-Inspired practice

• North American Reggio-Emilia Alliance, comprised of a network of schools in America using a Reggio-Inspired Approach

The Philosophy

The Hundred Languages of ChildrenThe idea of multiple intelligences

The Philosophy• “ The child is viewed as strong, powerful, rich in potential,

driven by the power of wanting to grow, and nurtured by adults who take this drive towards growth seriously.”

• “The curriculum grows from the teachers, children and families in those schools and from their cultural context. “

• “The environment should support the work and interest of the children without constant adult guidance and intervention. The children work in spaces, and while the adults are present, the children build their stories there. The environment is set up with provocation to fuel the children's worlds and minds. ”

Working in the Reggio Way.

The Basic Principles

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

The Image of the Child

The 100 Languages of Children

Collaboration

Project Approach

Documentation

Environment as Third Teacher

Why It Makes Sense for Brent

Reggio’s Image of the Child aligns with ECE

teams’ philosophy

Project Approach

Museum Program“Green” Emphasis

Strong Family and Community Engagement

ResponsiveClassroom

9

Responsive ClassroomGuiding Principles

Social CurriculumWhole-ChildFamily Partnerships

Classroom Practices

Morning MeetingLogical ConsequencesGuided DiscoveryAcademic ChoiceResponsive Curriculum

First 6 Weeks of School

The first six weeks of school are a very special time, set aside to establish a

positive and connected learning community.

Classroom ExpectationsDaily RoutinesGuided DiscoveryRelationship & Community

Building

This Year Next YearBehavior Management: Responsive Classroom Behavior Management: Responsive Classroom

Teaching Standards: 36 GOLD Learning Objectives Teaching Standards: 36 GOLD Learning Objectives

Curriculum: Long Term Plan created by teachers Curriculum: Emergent (based on student interest & Yearly Intention)

Project Approach twice a year (Museum Night) Project Approach all year long

Family open-door policy Family open-door policy

Assessment: Formal GOLD & informal observations Assessment: Formal GOLD & more informal observations

(anecdotal notes, quotes)

Field Trips based on teacher chosen theme Field Trips based on student interest & projects

Learning made visible monthly in classroom newsletters and bulletin boards

Learning made visible daily in documentation panels

Art & Music: Once a week whole group specials Art & Music: Once a week whole group specials & small group enrichment

Increased use of natural & found materials

Materials displayed in aesthetically pleasing way

Emphasis on play planning & reflecting

Parent-Teacher Conferences 4 times a year Parent-Teacher Conferences 4 times a year

Brent’s Reggio-Inspired ProgramWelcome (Warm-Up)

Morning Meeting

Special Classes

Outdoors

Planning Circle

Project & Centers Work

Lunch

Rest Time

Outdoors

Project & Centers Work

Afternoon Meeting

Read Aloud

You Might be Wondering… Are there other Reggio-Inspired schools in DCPS?

Yes: School Within a School, Ludlow-Taylor, Miner, Takoma, & Walker Jones.

Why are we changing to the Reggio-Approach now?Brent’s ECE staff and administration are eager to grow and learn

as teachers and are ready to take the program to the next level.

What if my child is an advanced learner or has special needs?All children come to school with their own strengths and interests, their own unique set of

experiences and ideas, their own theories about how the world works and an intense interest in learning. The collaborative relationships between children, teachers, and parents enables success for all students.

Will the academic rigor of Brent’s ECE program be changing with this new approach?We will be keeping all academic components of our current program. We will be teaching the

same learning objectives to the same level, only getting their through projects instead of 15 minute mini-lessons.Will students really be studying anything they want? All students interests will be taken seriously. Common interests and theories that emerge from students will transform into class projects. Teacher’s provocations and the school’s yearly intention will also work to guide and inspire project ideas.

ResourcesBooks

Articles & Links

Coming soon to Brent’s Website