HAPPY NEW YEAR
No better way to end the year than with Charlie Brown and gorgeous Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang.
Wishing you all the best for the New Years Celebrations. See you all next year.
Wednesday, 30 December 2015
Tuesday, 29 December 2015
Wednesday's Words of Wisdom: Creativity
Wednesday's Words of Wisdom
CREATIVITY
Following yesterday's post Sir Ken Robinson's TED talk highlights the importance of creativity in education. Take the time to listen to Sir Ken Robinson.
"CREATIVITY IS NOW AS IMPORTANT IN EDUCATION AS LITERACY"
SIR KEN ROBINSON
I am in the process of reading his book "Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution Thats Transforming Education".
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0670016713/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2/184-3108316-8416218?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_r=01DCQEEVES7A203Q05T9&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=1944687442&pf_rd_i=1907312471
Sir Ken Robinson's talk gives us the opportunity to reflect on our practice and also on how we need to be aware of the importance of creativity in education.
Monday, 28 December 2015
Reggio Emilio Approach and the Voice of a Child.
The Voice of a Child-A Reggio Emilio Approach
As the New Year Approaches I would like to share with you my favourite poem. For many years as an Early Childhood Educator working with younger children (four and five year olds) the Reggio Emilio philosophy of the child was one I valued deeply. Now as a learning support teacher this philosophy I value even more as I see each child's potential come through in different ways. We have come a long way in terms of education, however, we have also in some ways remained the same or in some cases we have lost or forgotten the voice of the child. 
As an educator I question what happens to our children when they start school?
WHAT HAPPENS TO PLAY WHEN CHILDREN START SCHOOL?
In kindergarten play is already undervalued and lost, children spend most of the day at a desk learning.
Read this poem carefully as it is the voice of our children.
Our children are our future and we need to value and nature them.
The Hundred Languages.
The child
is made of one hundred.
The child has
a hundred languages
a hundred hands
a hundred thoughts
a hundred ways of thinking
of playing, of speaking.
A hundred always a hundred
ways of listening
of marvelling, of loving
a hundred joys
for singing and understanding
a hundred worlds
to invent
a hundred worlds
to dream.
The child has
a hundred languages
(and a hundred, hundred, hundred more)
but they steal ninety-nine.
The school and the culture
separate the head from the body.
They tell the child:
to think without hands
to do without head
to listen and not to speak
to understand without joy
to love and to marvel
only at Easter and at Christmas.
They tell the child:
to discover the world already there
and of the hundred
they steal ninety-nine.
They tell the child:
that work and play
reality and fantasy
science and imagination
sky and earth
reason and dream
are things
that do not belong together.
And thus they tell the child
that the hundred is not there.
The child says:
No way. The hundred is there.
Lois Malaguzzi (translated by Leila Gandini)
Children are capable of amazing things. The Reggio Emilia Approach views children as competent and naturally curious. They enter the classroom with knowledge of their world. They are full of potential, active participants with their learning. They can take the lead and be constructive learners and teachers should follow their lead and be partners alongside them with their learning.
(Gandini, 2010)
You can follow my Reggio Inspired board on pinterest
Saturday, 26 December 2015
Snoopy/Peanut Classroom Labels.
SNOOPY/PEANUT CLASSROOM LABELS
I'm sure after all the festivities of Christmas we all need a long snooze! Christmas is now behind us and New Years is just around the corner.
In celebration of the upcoming Peanuts movie I have been working on my classroom labels with a Snoopy/Peanut theme and have finally completed the pack. You can find it on Teachers Pay Teachers.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/SNOOPYPEANUT-THEME-CLASSROOM-LABELS-2271586
This pack includes:-*classroom supplies labels – pencils, erasers, markers, coloured pencils, crayons, scissors, glue, glue stick, whiteboards, manipulatives, paper, whiteboard markers, highlighters, books, calculators, chalkboards, folders, post it notes, note pads, clip boards, staples, tacks, paperclips, art supplies, birthday surprises, news, lunch orders, lunches, lunch boxes and many edible labels to add own text.*book labels-add own text.*basket labels-days of the week and edible labels to add own text.*table labels (table 1-6, two different labels)*Happy Birthday Set – poster, months of the year and labels to add child’s name and birthday.*pencil labels – dull and sharp pencils.
For everyone that loves Snoopy as much as I do this pack is a great beginning to a Snoopy Themed Classroom.
Wednesday, 23 December 2015
Merry Christmas.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
A few more pictures of our home. As much as I love decorating, Christmas to me is a family celebration. A time to spend special time together and be grateful for having love around us during this Festive Season from colleagues, friends and family. This is what it is all about. The smiles on our kids on Christmas morning, a great meal prepared with love and sharing, caring and letting all the stresses of the year fly out the window. Being alive and being able to write this blog, having a job I absolutely love and best of all a family and friends that makes me complete.Thank you for stopping by and I wish you all a Merry Christmas surrounded by love.
CHRISTMAS
Christmas bells ring
It's Christmas morn
Children everywhere awake
With enthusiasm and joy
Christmas only once a year
Brings together many
To celebrate the joy
Of a New Baby
New Life
Reflect, Change become Better
Christmas is a time to Celebrate
The joy of life and new Creation
Margaret De Sisto
Tuesday, 22 December 2015
Wednesday's Words of Wisdom.
WEDNESDAY'S WORDS OF WISDOM
"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful"
Norman Vincent Peale
If we only see, hear, touch and feel Christmas like children do then we can see its true beauty.
In line with my love of Snoopy.
A Charlie Brown Christmas - True Meaning
Christmas is a time to stop and be grateful for all that we have in our life.
Christmas inspiration with more quotes...
Charles Dickens was talented in many ways. He put the true meaning of Christmas in a small amount of words. This is one of my favourite quotes.
"It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty founder was a child himself."
Monday, 21 December 2015
Snoopy 2016 Calendar.
SNOOPY 2016 CALENDAR
While I was creating my Snoopy labels for the classroom I decided to make an A4 Snoopy themed 2016 calendar that can be easily accessible when needed. I'm going to laminate mine and add it to the noticeboard.
You can find this calendar on Teachers Pay Teachers. It is free. All you need to do is download it.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Peanut-Snoopy-2016-Calendar-2266725Enjoy!
Sunday, 20 December 2015
Christmas is Just Around the Corner.
CHRISTMAS IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.
I can't believe it is only four days until Christmas! The hustle and bustle about makes it believable! Each year I am more determined to be organised and each year I am still buying last minute gifts. Christmas however makes me reflect on how lucky I am to be surrounded by so many people I love. It is a time for getting together and being together.
I am now in the process of producing a Peanuts classroom decor set in time for the release of the movie here in Australia on 1st January, 2016. I can't wait to see it! All the fabulous characters alongside my favourite Snoopy.
I did promise to post more Christmas photos so my next post will deliver. Remember...
Don't you just love Rudolf!
Tuesday, 15 December 2015
Wednesday's Words of Wisdom.
WEDNESDAY'S WORDS OF WISDOM
An oldie but still a relevant quote for anyone in education.
Tell me and I forget
Teach me and I remember
Involve me and I learn.
Benjamin Franklin
This quote personifies to me that teaching is about "involving" students in what they need to learn.
Today we are more and more aware of the teacher being a learner along-side the student and valuing each child's individual learning style. The student is now more involved in their learning and therefore takes more responsibility with their learning.
Technology can be used to inform us about anything we need to know. Teachers now need to move away from only telling as a form of instruction and be able to demonstrate clearly and simply so that students can be involved with using this knowledge in a variety of ways to learn successfully. Technology is frowned upon by many, however, used appropriately it creates a learning environment that stimulates many students. As educators we are aware of the importance of visual learning and technology provides a great resource for our visual learners.
So involving the student using many varied ways will provide optimal learning for all.
Sunday, 13 December 2015
Book Review: The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller.
THE BOOK WHISPERER VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR DONALYN MILLER
Following my book review about the "The Book Whisperer" on my blog I had the opportunity to come across an interview with Donalyn Miller.
In her book "The Book Whisperer" Donalyn Miller motivates readers by getting them to choose their own books and dispensing with reading activities such as worksheets that make reading a chore. In this interview Donalyn describes how she gets her students to read 40 books or more a year. She instills in her students lifelong reading habits and the love of reading. You can find her interview on the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLxDwKxHx1yJwuN-rtn9tQyM0YQ4vJYxV
There is a tape transcript for quick and easy reading. This book focuses on what reading is and should be about.
Saturday, 12 December 2015
Christmas Cheer.
CHRISTMAS CHEER
This weekend we have been busy decorating our home for the Festive Season. At the end of it all we were exhausted but still in the Christmas spirit so we watched one of our absolute favourite Christmas DVD's "The Polar Express". It doesn't matter how many times you watch this movie it still gets you in the Christmas Spirit. The magic of believing is very powerful in this movie.
The Christmas Cheer comes to life when you see the true and real excitement in children of all ages. As we get older that gets lost and replaced with our busy, overcrowded lives.
I love decorating my home as seeing my son each day get up with a smile and anticipation about what is going to happen for Christmas makes us all see Christmas as a time for joy and more importantly a time to give and be surrounded by our loved ones.
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Until next time.
Friday, 11 December 2015
Simple Christmas Reindeers Two Ways.
Simple Christmas Reindeers Two Ways
All you need is (Ingredients):-
A cupcake (you can make it or buy it) for the cupcake reindeer or a milk arrowroot biscuit for the biscuit reindeer.
Nutella
M and M's and choc chips for the eyes
Strawberries and cream lolly or M and M's for the nose.
Candy canes and pretzels for the antlers.
What to do (Method):-
Spread the nutella over the cupcake or milk arrowroot biscuit.
For the cupcake add candy canes for the antlers, strawberry and cream lolly for the nose and an M and M's for the eyes.
For the milk arrowroot biscuit add pretzels for the antlers, a red M and M for the nose and a choc chip for the eyes.
Note:
You can use other lollies or edibles such as sultanas of your choice to make the eyes and nose.
REINDEER CUPCAKE
REINDEER BISCUIT
Enjoy!
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