TransformEd welcomes Spring and looks ahead onto Summer with great enthusiasm!
Check out the following eWorkshop series and an all NEW! face-to-face two day Symposium:
1. eWorkshop - Going Deeper with Inquiry-Based Learning: Sharing a project which celebrates creativity and critical thinking! (4 hours - May 9, 16, 23, 30 from 9:00-10:00 p.m.)
This session will talk about:
- a new research project from start to finish
- following an emergent curriculum - topic decided by the children
- inquiry meetings with students in Kindergarten and Grade 1
- weekly documentation and planning process
- focus on the experience and joy of learning
- self-regulation
- integrated / differentiated learning for the 21st century
- the power of inquiry learning
- celebrating creativity by embracing the 100 Languages from Reggio Emilia
2. NEW eWorkshop! 100 Languages, Provocations, and Loose Parts: Starting Points for Any Early Childhood Context (4 hours - June 6, 13, 20, 27 from 9:00-10:00 p.m.)
This session will talk about:
- What are loose parts? Provocations? 100 Languages?
- How can these theories and concepts support your early learning context?
- Examples of 100 Languages and integrated learning
- Suggestions for using provocations to spark inquiry
- Reggio Emilia inspiration
- Weekly challenges to support your personal growth
3. New Face-to-Face - Lunch and Learn Sessions! Celebrating Creativity through Inquiry: A Summer Symposium (July 7th and July 8th)
Location:
Axis Freestyle Academy - Studio Space
356 Four Valley Dr.
Vaughan, ON
L4K 5Z1
(Near Vaughan Mills Mall and Hwy 400/407)
*Special rate for guests travelling from out of town at Hotel Novotel Toronto Vaughan with code TRANSFORMED is currently being negotiated! Might be a fun weekend away near shopping, Wonderland, and several restaurants!
Day 1 - a) Listening to Students' Theories: Sharing the Creative Process of Documenting a Reggio Emilia Inspired Emergent Curriculum Project (3 hours - July 7 from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. *lunch is provided)
This session will talk about:
- Joanne Marie Babalis will share an example of an emergent curriculum process of two months
- Reggio Emilia philosophy
- How to begin to ask questions that are deeper and more thought provoking
- Listening to students' thinking rather than interrupting and going beyond generic inquiry questions
- Collecting and using pedagogical documenting for planning
- Creativity and education
- The 100 Languages to support theory building
- Family involvement
b) Rediscover Your Inner Artist: A Creative Painting Experience (2 hours - July 7 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. *snacks are provided)
This session will talk about:
- This is an open-ended two hour social painting experience and is completely hands-on
- Artist/Author Maria Merecoulias and Joanne Marie Babalis will inspire and support your paint explorations
- All art supplies, drinks and sweets included
- One canvas is yours to keep
- Come and socialize with other creatives and unwind from the busy school year
TransformEd welcomes three inspiring guest speakers to bring this topic to life!
8:30-10:00 a.m. Michelle van Heugten and Visual Arts Inquiry Lens - "Creative Exploration: The Art of a Question"
10:15-11:45 a.m. Trista Dutt and Mathematics Inquiry Lens - "Math Exploration and Self-Regulation: A Window into Inquiry and Creativity in Kindergarten"
Lunch Break
12:15-2:00 p.m. Niki Belegrinis and Nature Inquiry Lens - "Nature as a Canvas for Inquiry: Creativity in Full Bloom"
This session will talk about:
Michelle will discuss...
- curating a space for creative investigation to support inquiry in the classroom
- sharing examples of artistic provocations and invitations for inquiry investigations that support children's wonders
- participants will engage and explore in several creative invitations set to encourage wonder and inquiry
- supporting a creative mindset through time, experience, and celebrating ideas
Trista will discuss...
- exploring math through meaningful problems, games, mini lessons, provocation, and inquiry
- exploring self-regulation through the language of art, nature, and inquiry
- opportunities to play math games, explore provocations, and create materials for the classroom
Niki will discuss...
- how natural environments enhance creativity
- nature evokes creativity which makes us more curious, and makes us flexible in our thinking
- nature recharges our directed attention
- nature's role in the creative process
- a look at mindfulness and nature
- opportunity to visit the pond and extend learning
4. New eWorkshop! The Third Educator: Designing and Transforming your Learning Environment (4 hours - July 4, 11, 18, 25 from 9:00-10:00 p.m.)
This session will talk about:
- How your learning environment can become the third educator in the room
- Concepts of time, space, and materials
- Reggio Emilia inspired spaces
- Suggested starting points for your own classroom transformation
- Weekly challenges that support your design dreams
5. eWorkshop - Popular ECE approaches, theories, and concepts: An introduction to research in the early years (12 hours - Aug. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 from 8:00-10:00 p.m.)
This series will talk about and introduce the following:
Session 1 - Reggio Emilia Approach
Session 2 - Montessori Approach and Waldorf Approach
Session 3 - High Scope Approach and Bank Street Approach
Session 4 - Forest Kindergarten and Theory of Loose Parts
Session 5 - Play-Based Learning Approach and Math Problem Solving
Session 6 - Inquiry Based Learning Approach and Mosaic Approach
Registration information:
Please read through the following blog post carefully for prices and complete the registration section within it. Click here to register.
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What I appreciated most about the e-Workshop was Joanne's advice on "this is your journey and not to compare your documentation". This is the most valuable tip for any educator. Her session was very inspiring, colourful and resourceful. I look forward to taking more e-Workshops and sharing her blog with my Canadian and International colleagues.
Naznin A. Dhanani
ECD Resource Advisor
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