*New* YouTube Videos - Learn with Ms. Joanne Babalis: An Educational Resource for Home/School

*New* Reggio Emilia Inspired Educational Videos are now available on my YouTube channel and they can help you, your family, or students gain ideas and inspiration for at home learning during COVID-19.

Please feel free to share this blog post or the link to my YouTube page.  I am also giving away a 20 page eResource on Inquiry-Based Learning for FREE with a screenshot of your subscription (see details below).

We cleaned our hands and materials well, so that after our sensory play experience with the rice
we could cook it for lunch!  On my YouTube video I take you through how I made rice
in the shape of hearts to go with our salmon and mushrooms.

Whenever I have come across challenges in my life or professional work, I always try my best to search for those silver linings...  Being quarantined at home was certainly not something I had ever anticipated, however, we must all do our part with social distancing to help flatten the curve of this COVID-19 pandemic.

During this time, I have chosen to slow down and share more of the documentation that I capture with my own children by reviving my YouTube channel.  This is my way of giving back to the community and I am determined to make visible all the creative possibilities for learning!

That being said, I am also focusing on new learning territory for myself, with regards to video (I normally capture photographs), so you will have to be patient with me...  It's been a learning curve to say the least, but I can honestly say that I am enjoying the process! 

So far I have produced 7 videos that you can share with the families in your class (or view with your own):

Video 1: Welcome to our creative life | Art Studio Tour | Reggio Emilia inspired | Homeschool ideas
Video 2: Art experiments with tissue and bubbles
Video 3: Colour experiments with food colouring and oil
Video 4: Kitchen sensory play with rice (making lunch)
Video 5: Water play in the kitchen sink
Video 6: Nature Walk - Inquiry on trees being chopped down
Video 7: The language of clay



Each one of the videos has a detailed description of what we explored and suggestions on how to extend.  I am also starting to include a materials list, which I hope you find helpful!

Giveaway Contest  ($340+HST value in prizes):

CONTEST DETAILS:

You have the chance to win a free virtual studio session for you and four of your friends to spend an hour in The TransformEd Creative Studio and Learning Centre using a LIVE video chat. We will collect the same household objects/supplies, and I will guide you through some fun learning with your children. ($100+HST value) *Educators can also win and participate as adult learners


What is included in the contest (open to all):

-LIVE video chat and private virtual session at TransformEd Creative Studio and Learning Centre (5 families - $100+HST value)


*Bonus* for those LOCAL FOLLOWERS in Ontario, Canada:

-porch pick up of an ART BASKET from the TransformEd Possibilities Shop ($40+HST value) (Egg shaped chalk, jumbo crayons, three washable paint bottles, and grey basket)
-Gift certificate ($200+HST value) towards any Summer classes/workshops


To enter:

1) Subscribe to my YouTube channel.

2) Watch/like our first video by giving it a thumbs up.

3) Leave me a comment here on this Instagram contest post by tagging your friends (every tag is an entry) - Bonus entries: Share the news about our YouTube show on your IG page/stories or leave me a comment below with feedback, a question, or your suggestions about what you would like to see on our next video!

That’s it! Open to ALL International followers and special bonus for Ontario residents. Not sponsored by Instagram or Crayola.


Good luck!


Contest closes Sunday, March 29th at midnight. Winner will be announced on Monday, March 30th.

Free downloadable eResource ($20 USD value) for parents/educators on IBL (Inquiry based learning approach):

2 years ago I wrote this eResource called “TransformEd Tips and Tricks: Inquiry Based Learning” and sold it on my blog for about $20 USD (20 pages in length). This pdf is *FREE* for you to download if you subscribe to my YouTube Channel and send me a screenshot or photo by DM (direct message on Instagram @joannebabalis.)

Inquiry based learning is an approach that can easily be used now while at home (or later in your classroom). Children essentially learn through their authentic questions on the world that surrounds them. For example, they may be interested in the rain and why some days are rainy while other days are not. This could become a whole research project on the weather. Topics and questions will vary from child to child. I have used the IBL approach in my kindergarten class, but also with my own children from as young as infancy. Even if they do not speak to you, they can still show you through their actions what they are most interested in learning about.

Thank you so much for 

your ongoing support! 

Wishing you and your 

loved ones -- health/safety above all else

and as we all get through this together....