Special Spring sale!




TransformEd is announcing a special Spring sale!

If you register for any professional learning (listed below) from now until June 7th, 2017, you will receive one free online evening
(Tea Talk Tuesday - eWorkshop) on why the Reggio Emilia philosophy is so inspiring to me!  I will be sharing an intro to the approach, its principles, and how they have influenced my practice.  The dates will vary (in July) and you will be given a few options to choose from.  

It's hard to resist a learning topic so enticing and from the comfort of your own home!

To download flyer click here.



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



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



Day 2 - a) Embracing Creativity and Inquiry through Visual Arts, Mathematics, Nature and more! (5.5 hours - July 8 from 8:30-2:00 p.m. *light breakfast and lunch provided)

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



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


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 visit the original blog post for this information (fine print) and also to register by clicking here.





The best time 

for new beginnings

is now.


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@joannebabalis