Do Rock the Boat

Project Overboard update.  I am learning about the Project Approach, and our project exploration involves boats. As you may recall from earlier posts, things don't always go well.  However, I am pleased to report I've finally hit a winner.  I attempted to simulate the rocking motion of a boat by placing a large box on top of an air mattress and having the children get in.  I also used this to incorporate a history lesson.  "When our ancestors came to America from Europe in a big boat, what did they bring?"  Teddy bears, blankets, a comic book, and a pop-gun, apparently.  But they loved it.  My next step will be to do the giant field trip where they get to explore an actual boat. Then maybe we can make this box look more boat like as we play with it.

Green

My course of study prefers the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education (it's nice, but I  haven't made up my mind about any one approach).  One aspect of this approach involves the placement of a "provocation" to children's learning.  Another component to that approach is an appreciation for the inclusion of natural items whenever possible.  So, as such, here is my St. Patrick's Day "provocation" involving green peas, measuring cups and spoons, a funnel (sorry it's plastic), a bowl, and a pot of rosemary.  Princess horse was intrigued.  Interestingly, this actually didn't take off until I put the water table beside it.  The combination of water with the peas made them sticky and sculptable which kept them busy on and off for the whole day.  Unfortunately, it also made the peas unusable for a second go, as they became too soft and a bit smelly, but it was worth it for an annual event.

Forget Measles, Here's the Career Killer

(By Deval Kulshrestha (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)

I think it's died down, but there has been a recent hubbub about the anti-vaccination parents and whatnot.  Do I believe in vaccinations?  You betcha.  But there's a danger lurking in the classroom more deadly than measles, mumps, or rubella, and it has been laid upon my heart that it will kill your career as a teacher.  It's called a self-righteous, judgmental attitude.  All last Fall, I ran into teacher after teacher completely and utterly consumed by it.  I watched it literally suck the joy out of everything they did.  Thank goodness for my current practicum in Head Start home visitation.  The teachers there are often as desperate financially as the families they serve.  They do the job as a calling, not just a paycheck.  They have hearts of gold.  What they don't have - they cannot have if they are to do what they do - is a judgmental attitude.   Not only as a teacher, but as a mother, I see the families they serve and the horrible impact poor choices have on the children.  It is hard for me not to fall prey to that judgmental mindset.  I am, luckily, surrounded by those great examples of unconditional love.  In my devotional, on Thursday, were these words:  "In a day in which harsh judgment of others seems to be the rule, it's good to remember that love starts with us."  (Our Daily Bread, March 5, 2015, entry by Dave Branon).  A special education friend of mine posted a message on Facebook:  "Your job is not to judge.  Your job is not to figure out if someone deserves something.  Your job is to lift the fallen, restore the broken, and to heal the hurting."  Teachers, love begins with us.  Vaccinate yourself.

App-tastic

Today, I wanted to talk about an app that I think is really interesting.  I found out about it at the SECA conference this year.  It is called Tykester .  It is an app that allows childcare providers to update parents on how their child's day is going.  The teacher can input real-time tracking for meals, naps, potty, mood changes, daily events, photos, and notes.  Any entry can be applied to multiple children.  And the teacher/director or parent can call or text without leaving the app.  Best of all, it is completely free.  I am not currently a childcare director, but this is something I would definitely look into.

Project Overboard: A Humbling

I am studying the Project Based approach to a curriculum. The current project with my kids involves boats, so we took a ferry ride on the river to study them. I asked them why they thought there was ice in the middle of the river and not on the sides. "Blah, blah, blah, mom." When we passed a coal barge, I pointed out that the barge was traveling east, and asked what direction it was coming from. My son says, "South." After at least five minutes of scaffolding to try and get him to come to the right answer, he still said "South, and all your helping makes me feel stupid." Just when I think, "Man, I will be an awesome teacher!" my kids bring me back to earth.