Creating an Environment for Learning

Creating environments for learning happens each time we walk into children's spaces.  Whether we intend to or not, we set the stage for how the children feel about themselves and us when they are in our presence.

Our careful observations help us learn what children believe about themselves as learners. Their play and conversation with us helps us know how we can value their contributions to the classroom atmosphere.

Our goal is to learn to create places and events where children feel safe to show their courage. Standing up to show a dance move or read a song map are opportunities for children to expand their sense of self.  By being the "orchestra" the children demonstrate their ability to cooperate and give comfort so the "composer" can do her best as she explores the song.

As some of you already know through the excited stories of your children, we are studying the J. Strauss composition, The Beautiful Blue Danube.  Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLoe4tXisFw

We began by wondering aloud about such a river and if it really existed and then Ileana brought us her photos of Vienna and the river came alive.

We have looked at images of Strauss and have imagined what we might see if we were floating along the river in a boat.

In this piece of music there is a set of repeated lines and the children have practiced using some arm and hand gestures to express the sounds they hear.

This led to the study of the song map for Row, Row, Row, Your Boat.

Can you read the map in the photo above?

Because the children were so charmed by the map and had a strong sense of the song’s structure I was able to help them learn about being composers.  In this case the children take their own initiate to repeat lines or chunks of the song that they want the rest of the group to sing.  Each child brings his or her unique approach and interest to the project. 

What might you do if you were the composer?

Living the ways of an Inquirer

Caring, courageous, open-minded, knowledgeable, principled, inquirer, communicator, balanced, thinker, and reflective 

are huge practices for everyone and we learn them from one another.

These learner traits are meant to promote the children’s abilities to be …

caring, inquiring, knowledgeable, young people who help to create a peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect and to become active, compassionate learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

To help support these ways of being in the world we started including the children more centrally in helping us explore the learner traits and how they are expressed and experienced each day at Creative Minds Early Learning Centre.

Jake started us off with his desire to wear the “inquirer” shirt.  He said,

“an inquirer is a person who knows how to look at things”.   

I added that an inquirer is also a person who asks questions.

In song study today (I tapped out Clickety Clack). I asked, “here’s my secret song.  What do you hear?” 

Other questions came from the children,
“Does it match?”
“Was I right?”
“How do I make the circle bigger?”
“Where will we end up when we get to the end of the song?”

When you think about yourself this weekend, ask “what questions do I ask and what do I wonder about?” and make those questions known to your child.  Feel free to share your experiences with us.  We'll have a Learner Traits wall soon to add your comments.

Telus - Day of Giving Back

Generosity abounds through partnerships with Telus.

Justina, one of our parents, is an employee of Telus who recently arranged to have her team come to Creative Minds to do a classroom clean up party.  Families donated $25 toward this fundraising effort in lieu of helping at the event (although Karen, Deborah and Polly still came to help out).  In short order the centre was clean and well organized.  Thanks to Arielle and Elya's family for the donation of the Kombucha that quenched the thirst of these hardworking people.

A quote from Mary Oliver seems fitting here:

“I believe in kindness. Also in mischief. Also in singing, especially when singing is not necessarily prescribed.”

Roots and Wings

Hello Families,

As I watch the new children put down roots at Creative Minds I am reminded at how the roots of the children who have been here for many months  have changed the Creative Minds landscape for the better.  I am also reminded how quickly their wings show and many of them will leave us this summer. This was timely reflection for me as I dug deep into the planter box today to prepare it for the new plants we are growing together.  We hope we'll be able to inspire the children to do some science experiments related to plants and the leaf and worm searches this week have started the exploration nicely.  We will hang the mint roots from the ceiling so I hope you'll take some time to come in and admire it all.  Check out the new plants too as you come to pick up your children tonight and thank them for the care they took to water them so well.

Poetry

Hi Families,

Before I begin, put aside all your ideas about WHY poetry is good for children.  Some of those ideas are probably true but that's not why I am about to invite you to work with me on a little project.

Two weeks ago I spent time in Minneapolis presenting a two day workshop to teachers on "inquiry".  As part of the process I displayed a few examples of the children's poetry that was completed during our unit that explored colour in our lives.  One teacher made a comment that the poem didn't really make sense to her.  Well, I could relate.  A lot of poetry doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me either.  That however, has not prevented me from writing my own, encouraging it in others and more importantly, trying to see into the world view of the other through their words, phrases and organization.  You see, for me it's not all about making sense of the poem, but more importantly, trying to connect with another's way of seeing the world because in that we are drawn together in some pretty interesting ways.

I hope you'll agree and that you'll participate in my invitation.

I will start a poem here and write it somewhere on the IB wall at Creative Minds.  You can write your poem there or here, sign it or not.  It doesn't matter.  What matters is that we are all sharing ideas around the theme of water.  We'll read these to the children every day and also invite them to write some poetry too.  I ask that you not edit yourselves to the point where you feel you "can't" or "shouldn't".  You can even write in your other languages (even pig latin).  

For instance, I sat thinking about the waters of Zanzibar and I quickly scribbled:

water

sparkling

flowing velvet

at the tip of my toes

These 10 words brought me back to the waters and then a cascade of other ocean images came to my mind.  That lead to me thinking about how we should make a small film with the children at the beach and then more ideas arose.  I had to stop short.  Why not just allow the words to bring forth the senses?  

So I leave you with the idea and hope that I can encourage you to write.  If you don't want to write your own, bring in poems that you like about water.  Let's help the children play with language as they engage in this inquiry and let's build connections between us through our sharing our interests and experiences in this format.

Kate

Gratitude

I have had the good fortune in my life to be around a great many generous people and they inspired me so much that the unit of inquiry “Generosity Abounds” arose from my desire to understand it more.  Learning from the minds, hearts and actions of our little ones is inspirational. 

I was reminded of generosity once again when Anamaria called me yesterday to say that she and her boyfriend Stefan were doing the furniture shopping that she and I had planned to get done this week. What I learned was that not only was she taking her day off to do the shopping.  In fact she and Stefan were putting everything together and setting up the furniture so that the teachers and children would have things in order for Monday.  Such acts of generosity abound at Creative Minds.  From families helping keep the sinks running well, to smart board instruction and the filming and making of the concert DVDs, to paper recycling, kind words of thanks and boxes of chocolates (from our favourite places!)

This is my opportunity to thank everyone at Creative Minds who make this space such a place of warmth and joy.  Each day we come to work we know that we are appreciated and we want you to know that you are appreciated as well.  You grace us with your trust that we will care for your children and you share your laughter in so many ways.  It is this that makes the work light.

In gratitude,

Kate

Beautiful Moments

Hello Families,

The teachers and I have been reflecting on the events of the summer and giggling in the retelling of the stories about camping trips in the forest, bike riding accomplishments, water play and cake days!  It was a great summer wasn’t it?  Kathryn shared a story with us about one of the children’s sense of history while at Creative Minds.  We were astounded to hear that the young child could retell, in order, the units of inquiry that have taken shape over the last 2 years!  Can you imagine it?  I can’t even name them all in order.  It may be because his mother has copies of all of the photo journals but I don’t think that explains it all.  I think part of this spectacular re/membering comes from the child’s complete immersion in the moments of play, conversation and exploration alone and with others.  It seems to me that while we are busy photographing, collecting and recording there is a part of us that is removed from the event.  I’m sure you have noticed this too as you video record or photograph your children’s special events.  It made me wonder.  There is a emphasis at Creative Minds on recording the learning process in order to develop reflective practice, to support the children’s unique and individual learning needs and to celebrate with children and families, the wonderful events that grow out of our time together.  This seems reasonable, purposeful and important to continue.  In the middle of this thinking I came upon a quote from one of my favouite authors, Toni Morrison.  She wrote, in Tar Baby,

"At some point in life the world's beauty becomes enough. You don't need to photograph, paint or even remember it. It is enough. No record of it needs to be kept and you don't need someone to share it with or tell it to. When that happens — that letting go — you let go because you can."

I am reminded to take the time, like our young learner, to be with the beauty of the moment.  To let it sit with me, wash over me and become part of me.

As we ask you to bring in photos of your child know that we are making this request while holding Morrison’s thought of the beauty of the moment in mind. 

Wishing you all a restful long weekend.

Kate

Child Honouring

Hello Families,

As the teachers and I sat together for brunch on Saturday (thanks to you for the gift) we discussed the ways we support the children to enter into conversation with one another and with each of us.  We pondered the deep relevance this action has for the children.  It is central to our connection with them and what we hear them say plays an important role in the curriculum that develops.

As I continued to think about our role and the value of the conversations we all have at Creative Minds I came upon some work by Raffi.  Many years ago I participated in a conference at UBC where Raffi was the guest speaker.  At first his words seemed just that, words, with little connection to my work as a teacher of 25 children in primary classroom.  Today,  I ponder how Raffi's commitment to children has taken shape.  I also reflect on how Creative Minds has taken shape and I am grateful for the warmth, appreciation and support so many families has given us in our process.

I share these with you as an opening to even more conversation:

Here is the short clip:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp61lUu8VaA&feature=player_embedded and here is the web site: http://www.childhonouring.org/covenantprinciples.html

Enjoy.

kate

The concert was a wonderful event for us all

Thank you everyone for entrusting your children to our care.

It was delightful seeing them on stage wasn't it?

Thanks to Doug for all his care and attention to the filming (and often the hours of editing to make a great DVD!)

Thanks also to Sean (Kai's dad) who worked with a friend to create the wonderful music for The Lollipop Tree.  We were in a tizzy because we couldn't find anything on the web that worked for the children and he was quick to create a wonderful version for us.

When it was clear that the children needed some support with the song our good friend Annette Coffin sang the song for us to practice with.

It's so great when we all come together like this right down to the clearing up at the end of the evening.

Thank you for your kind words and the gifts.

We love working with the children and can't wait to add those family photos to the current photo book.  Let us know if you want to order one.

Warmly,

Kate

Ecology Workshop by SFU

The children had a wonderful time at an Ecology presentation by SFU Science Alive.  Mary brought a few children to the SelfDesign Learning Centre on 4th Avenue where I held a presentation for some school age learners.  It was delightful to see our little ones moving so confidently in a space with children ages 5/6/7.  At first they were tentative but they participated well and a couple of them also played the ecology movement game outside on the grass.  They are shown here completing the survey about the session and were very able to give descriptive feedback.  It was great also to have the connection with outside communities.

Authorization Visit

Hello Families,


We had a bittersweet day today.  The Authorization team left with the comment that our program is one that exemplifies an Early Years IB program.  The children were enthusiastic learners and did a wonderful job demonstrating their reading of the musical score for the song we are doing for the concert.  The teachers explained in clear and concise ways how they improve the planners we develop for every unit of inquiry.  The parents shared their enthusiasm for the excitement that their children display at home as a result of the units of inquiry.  They shared that the children were being supported to be life-long, internationally-minded learners.


At the end of the day the team met with the Principal and the Co-ordinator to share some general comments.  The Authorization team did not share the outcome of the visit but the school will be made aware within 90 days.  There was some sense of hope shared so they feel they are on their way to making Southlands a strong IB Programme.


Creative Minds' position in the Authorization has been challenged however.  It appears that there were some irregularities in the first application 4 years ago (we may not have been adequately included).  Further, the fact that we are an independent body from the school poses the IBO some problems as far as who governs what.  I am not quite certain how this will play out and I have to say that I was rather taken aback by it all given that I provided the information for the final application and it was made clear that we were requesting Authorization as PART OF the school application.  I am disheartened by the lack of systems or policies to support such public/ventureventures especially ones that are in the best interests of all children.  


I don't know what will come of this I am reminded of the message in this quote:


We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. ~ Frederick Koenig


I appreciate that we have parents who are as wonderful as you all are and I will gaze upon the roses we just got from Caroline knowing that we will continue to see the beauty in all of this.


Kate

Mindfulness and the Care of the Centre

I spent time in the Centre this weekend polishing the floor with my son.  The easy rhythm of our work compelled me to go back in the evening and do some simple tasks.  When there, in the quiet of the evening, I experienced an awakening to the space and to my senses within that space.  It was a reminder that in the care of the toys, the windows, the floors, I am showing the children my care for them.  It made me think about all the hours parents of Creative Minds children have given to the care of the building.  From plumbing help and the scrubbing of windows and walls to the organizing of the 3000+ books and the sorting of all that Lego!  Each of you have given so much to Creative Minds and the importance of the time you have given has not been overlooked.  In fact, each time we have a collective gathering to care for the space we, as teachers, experience a reawakening of our senses in that space.  As  Kabat-Zinn puts it " ...our primary connection to life is through our own interiority — the experiencing of our own body and all our senses, including the mind, which allow us to touch and be touched by the world, and to act appropriately in response to it."  Thus, our care of the space supports our care of the children in ways that go far beyond their safety and the programming.

I felt you might like to know that Tuesday is not just a work party, but an opportunity for us all to celebrate our care for the children.  

Kate

The depth of learning

Hello Families,

As we near the start of the last unit of inquiry of the "school" year I am reminded how fast time seems to move for me.  I wanted to reflect on how I perceive time and in doing, came upon this:

"We usually think of time as a river, a river like the Nile, with strong, swift current bearing us further and further away from what we have been and toward the time when we will be not at all... But perhaps we should think of time as a deep, still pool rather than a fast-flowing river... Instead of looking back at time, we could look down into it... and now again different features of the past --different sights and sounds and voices and dreams--would rise to the surface: rise and subside, and the deep pool would hold them all, so that nothing was lost and nothing ever went away." -Meghan O'Rourke

This led me to think about how the children help us stay present in a place where time almost fails to exist when we gaze at them in awe as they learn and inquire into the world at their disposal.  I hope this next unit which begins next week brings us all opportunities for connection to one another and to our immediate environment.  The title of the next unit is  Plants in our Midst and the concepts that frame our study are connection, responsibility and function.  We welcome your thoughts and, as always, your stories about how the unit is supporting you and your children to act with care in the world.

With thanks for parent help

Hello Families,

I just wanted to say thank you to Henry Au for his work today with the teachers.  Last week he did some careful reading of a blog we posted and noticed some flip chart paper on the SmartBoard...
He quickly figured out that a refresher on the use of the board might be helpful and offered to assist us.

Thank you Henry.  We will continue to learn how to make this a useful tool in our work with the children.

Every action in our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity. 

~Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Take Another Look: Family Time in the Forest

Here's a chance to play and discover together.  We hope to see you all there.  Kathryn took a significant role in this and I'd love to support her efforts.

Family Event

an Ecological Treasure Hunt

Saturday April 14 1-4 PM

co-produced by PSPS, Metro Vancouver, and Creative Minds

Take Another Look

Discover where forest creatures eat, sleep and just hang out. 

Test your skills on this ecology treasure hunt with 

three levels of difficulty suitable for everyone!

Level 1 - Yellow Flags

The youngest participants will search for toys placed in the forest.  See the picture, 

find the toys, maybe count them .. and talk about whether it really belongs here.  

Level 2 - Red Flags

Look for where the mouse has been. 

Its not so easy to find the right place to match the photo and the clue.  

Talk about what the mouse might have been doing.

Level 3 - Blue Flags

Adults and youth will learn about  ecology as you match the clues  to the photos.

Where?

The loop trail, which is a little over a kilometre through the park 

begins by Southlands School, on Camosun St. at 39th Ave.

learning the aliveness of the world

So now that you have had a chance to think about the importance of gazing upon your children I bring you a title that you might want to pick up at the library...


'A New Culture of Learning: Cultivating the Imagination in a World of Constant Change' 
by Douglas Thomas and John Seely Brown, 


in which the authors say:

"The twenty-first century belongs to the tacit [as opposed to the explicit]. In the digital world we learn by doing, watching, and experiencing. ... In a world where things are constantly changing, focusing exclusively on the explicit dimension is no longer a viable model for education. 
"The problem is that almost every technique and practice we have for understanding how we learn has been about the explicit - the content - in a stable world." 




He's a link for the book
http://www.amazon.com/New-Culture-Learning-Cultivating-Imagination/dp/1456458884#reader_1456458884


So, while I don't want you to fear that things are so unstable, I want to encourage you to follow the inspiration of this poem that we have put at the on the parent bulletin board:

I tried to teach my child with books, 

He gave me only puzzled looks. 

I tried to teach my child with words, 

They passed him by oft unheard. 

Despairingly I turned aside

How shall I teach this child, I cried. 

Into my hand he put the key, 

Come, he said, play with me...

Have a great weekend and we'll see you on Tuesday

Kate