Over the winter break I started doing some reading about the Reggio Emilia Approach which I learned a little bit about in my ECED 417 course “Supporting Learning in The Kindergarten Year”. I especially enjoyed the book “Authentic Childhood -Experiencing Reggio Emilia in The Classroom.”
What I liked best about this book is the detailed descriptions of how teachers on Quadra Island and in Marpole used children’s ideas and curiosities to develop highly engaging units of study. The emergent curriculum described in the books has a very different feel than the themes usually explored in more traditional settings such as “Fairy Tales” – a unit I have done myself with grade 2’s. Turning children’s curiosities into entire units sends a clear message in the classroom – this is a place where student’s ideas are respected. Students are co-constructors of knowledge.
After reading this book I took to pinterest to look around and see what pins had been “tagged” as Reggio. I wanted to see how other teachers, parents, and community leaders had conceptualized what Reggio looks like. I’m in the process of collecting a variety of pins and evaluating them based on the image alone. In the comment box I have written a quick evaluation on what I see in the picture.
I know this is not the way people typically use pinterest but I’m trying something new out. I want to use pinterest as a powerful tool for my own learning and creativity instead of solely relying on other people’s knowledge. Just like the Reggio approach views children as active co-constructers, I am also eager to be a producer of knowledge in this situation. I don’t want to just consume the ideas on pinterest- I also want to be a part of the conversation.
Here is the link to my board! (-just click on the picture!)
https://www.pinterest.com/mahimal/reggio-inspiration/
I think that this is a really worthwhile pursuit for you Mahima. How is a Reggio approach adaptable and consistent with teaching in a grade 5 classroom. Good discovery!!