2 thoughts on “Links

  1. Karen L

    As an early grade science teacher and a former Pre-K teacher who worked with Renee, I want to mention how valuable the Reggio ideas are. I aim to have constructive, hands-on activities in kindergarten and first grade science, and knowing something about the Reggo Emilio school is a helpful mindset. I just recently designed a simple canoe for my K students to make out of the foam construction material, the stuff like construction paper but thicker and pliable. After the form is cut out, the children will lace the ends of the canoe together and fit in 2 straws to keep it open. It floats and rocks just like a canoe and will go home for fun in the bathtub. This fits into our Kindergarten science unit on balance and motion. My students will learn valuable teaching points on the center of gravity and aspects of floating on water. These concepts will then go home with them for reinforcement through repetition and parents will start to understand our scientific process. You rock, Renee!!

    Reply
    1. Renee Dinnerstein

      Karen, I sat in on project time in a second grade class at The Brooklyn New School. The children were working in small groups designing and then building various structures. It was fascinating to observe how children, based on their particular strengths, took on different roles in the process. There was an incredible amount of dialogue and collaboration taking place.

      On a less sophisticated level, I have a memory of children in my kindergarten class working in pairs trying to design boats, using tin foil, that would float in the water table. This was something that they were doing during Choice Time. There was a combination of “Oh No’s”, “Yeas” “We did it” “Let’s Try Again” coming from the center. Other children occasionally wandered over to see what was happening. When a pair was successful, they shared their boat at meeting. Children who were not successful also shared at meeting so that we could come up with some ideas and solutions together.

      Just a suggestion. Why not see what happens when the children are challenged to design and build their own boats. Then you can again discuss balance, gravity, etc.

      Reply

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