Capable Learners Creative Child Newsletter May 2014 Issue

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Introducon Dear Parents, We would like to thank all the parents who gave us their feedback regarding the new educational practices at Creative Child this year. We are so pleased that the majority of parents are happy with the implementation of the emergent curriculum, however, as we anticipated there are a few parents who require more information and involvement in our new framework. This is why we have decided to prepare this newsletter about documentation. Documentation is without a doubt one of the most important elements in the implemen- tation of an emergent curriculum. The documentation reflects the children’s learning process. The documentation helps the educators to identify what children know about life and more important how they encounter new situations, concepts, and challenges. In a few words it is what and how they are learning. Our job in that sense is to provoke, stimulate and help them to make sense of what they are encountering. It is not about teaching; it is about learning, and they are definitely not the same. We know that the change in an educational paradigm is not easy to explain and at times, to understand. I hope to be able to inter- pret and give more context to the educational work we have been doing this year. The change is simple, but radical. We are applying a real child-centered “curriculum”. How do we do that? By following the interests and learning style of the children. What we need is to listen, observe and follow them. This is why we take photos, videos and notes about what they do during the day. It is not about creating a photo album of souvenirs. It is about interpreting the exploration, the search for answers, the wonder of learning. Real learning is multidisciplinary and multi-sensorial. Children learn in a social and situational context. This is a holistic approach where the traditional academic concepts are present but as a part of the whole experience. It is not about learning an abstract color or shape, a number, a letter as a pure sign or learning only music or art. It is about a context where those concepts are applied. What is the color of the apple? How many chairs do we need for lunch time? Which placemat has your name? Would you like to write a letter for mom and dad? In addition, when the children do pretend play they create scenarios where they apply all the knowledge they have from the world around them. Each child might be in a different developmental stage and what seems to be obvious to our eyes is a completely new discovery for them. For this issue we have selected one example of documentation from each class to show different learning activities that are relevant for young children. In all these cases the children expressed their interest to the educators that they were ready to listen to them and encourage them to continue with their exploration. To help to appreciate the learning activity we have interpreted the documentation using the Key Developmental Indicators from the HighScope Curriculum. KDIs are observable skills and knowledge that children from 0-3 and 3-5 years old should be practicing in the preschool years. Some of the samples are episodes and others are projects. I have attached the KDIs for your reference. We hope you enjoy reading these interesting learning expe- riences where the children are the protagonists. We apologize if you don’t see your child in the documentation that the teacher has selected for this issue. As we have previously explained, the learning is individual and not all children are always interested in the same activity or project. The teachers also need to choose the most representative photo that can illustrate the concept of the documentation and they might not be able to include all photos. Rest assured all our children have participated in several learning experiences. The teachers keep the evidence in their portfolios displayed inside the classroom. Some of the teachers have opted to send the documentation by email. If you have doubts about how to interpret what you see in the documentation, do not hesitate to talk to your child’s teacher. I hope you really enjoy this newsletter and I am looking forward to your feedback. Sincerely, Fabiola Barrios Director [email protected] Director’s Message May Issue 2014 | Newsletter Creative Child Nursery School

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Transcript of Capable Learners Creative Child Newsletter May 2014 Issue

Page 1: Capable Learners Creative Child Newsletter May 2014 Issue

Introduction

Dear Parents,

We would like to thank all the parents who gave us their feedback regarding the new educational practices at Creative Child this year. We are so pleased that the majority of parents are happy with the implementation of the emergent curriculum, however, as we anticipated there are a few parents who require more information and involvement in our new framework. This is why we have decided to prepare this newsletter about documentation. Documentation is without a doubt one of the most important elements in the implemen-tation of an emergent curriculum. The documentation reflects the children’s learning process. The documentation helps the educators to identify what children know about life and more important how they encounter new situations, concepts, and challenges. In a few words it is what and how they are learning. Our job in that sense is to provoke, stimulate and help them to make sense of what they are encountering. It is not about teaching; it is about learning, and they are definitely not the same.

We know that the change in an educational paradigm is not easy to explain and at times, to understand. I hope to be able to inter-pret and give more context to the educational work we have been doing this year. The change is simple, but radical. We are applying a real child-centered “curriculum”. How do we do that? By following the interests and learning style of the children. What we need is to listen, observe and follow them. This is why we take photos, videos and notes about what they do during the day. It is not about creating a photo album of souvenirs. It is about interpreting the exploration, the search for answers, the wonder of learning.

Real learning is multidisciplinary and multi-sensorial. Children learn in a social and situational context. This is a holistic approach where the traditional academic concepts are present but as a part of the whole experience. It is not about learning an abstract color or shape, a number, a letter as a pure sign or learning only music or art. It is about a context where those concepts are applied. What is the color of the apple? How many chairs do we need for lunch time? Which placemat has your name?

Would you like to write a letter for mom and dad? In addition, when the children do pretend play they create scenarios where they apply all the knowledge they have from the world around them. Each child might be in a different developmental stage and what seems to be obvious to our eyes is a completely new discovery for them.

For this issue we have selected one example of documentation from each class to show different learning activities that are relevant for young children. In all these cases the children expressed their interest to the educators that they were ready to listen to them and encourage them to continue with their exploration. To help to appreciate the learning activity we have interpreted the documentation using the Key Developmental Indicators from the HighScope Curriculum. KDIs are observable skills and knowledge that children from 0-3 and 3-5 years old should be practicing in the preschool years. Some of the samples are episodes and others are projects. I have attached the KDIs for your reference.

We hope you enjoy reading these interesting learning expe-riences where the children are the protagonists. We apologize if you don’t see your child in the documentation that the teacher has selected for this issue. As we have previously explained, the learning is individual and not all children are always interested in the same activity or project. The teachers also need to choose the most representative photo that can illustrate the concept of the documentation and they might not be able to include all photos. Rest assured all our children have participated in several learning experiences. The teachers keep the evidence in their portfolios displayed inside the classroom. Some of the teachers have opted to send the documentation by email. If you have doubts about how to interpret what you see in the documentation, do not hesitate to talk to your child’s teacher.

I hope you really enjoy this newsletter and I am looking forward to your feedback.

Sincerely,Fabiola [email protected]

Director’s Message

May Issue 2014 | NewsletterCreative Child Nursery School

Page 2: Capable Learners Creative Child Newsletter May 2014 Issue

The Emergent Curriculum in Early Childhood Settings by Susan Stacey 2009

May Issue 2014 | Newsletter

Page 3: Capable Learners Creative Child Newsletter May 2014 Issue

Yellow RoomInfant sectionChildren aged 10 - 15 months

Key Development Indicators:

• Exploring print• Self-help and self-awareness• Listening and responding• Relationship with adults and peers

Who’s there?

Children love looking at mirrors attached to the wall while changing diapers

The educators put wide reflective sheets on highchairs and walls where they can see their

reflections

Linda leans towards the glass door as she sees herself

More hide and seek games with Julia

Maggie and Alia playing

Isabel looking at the mirror

Noah, Olseya, Max playing hide and seek with the educators

Eelke playing peek-a-boo

Mirrors are fascinating things to work and play with. For children, they hold an element of magic to them. Infants respond to their reflection in mirrors. They are interested and devote much time and effort exploring the connections between their bodies and their images. The educators in the infant group followed their interest and put lots of mirrors around them. During mirror play, children communicate through reflections to understand their sense of awareness and help them distinguish themselves from others.

Mirror play helps foster children’s cognitive, social and emotional development. Infants were now introduced to new games like hide-and-seek or

peek-a-boo. These simple games are not only for fun but also helps them learn how to focus, track

images, gaze on their own, and discover the wonderful things a face can do.

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Page 4: Capable Learners Creative Child Newsletter May 2014 Issue

Where is the ball?

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The story of Tiny Observers and balls started during their school adaptation process to the nursery environment. Being in the ball pool distracted the children from crying.

Children extended the ball play outside the pool. It is clear that there is a cognitive development taking place. They can hold the ball, throw, insert, or hide it.

The latter observation inspired the teacher and assistants to construct a box with holes to insert balls. Apart from the obvious development in filling and emptying, the game presented a transition in Tiny Observers relationship, moving from solitary play to pair/group play.

On the other hand, a new toy was added to the piazza (the play area): The Ball Machine. The kids welcomed the addition with great pleasure especially since it involves playing music when a ball is inserted.

Balls fueled countless hours of fun for toddlers and stimulated large motor skills and hand-eye coordination. They are learning how to bounce, catch, aim and throw, play cooperative games and even play a few games of their own. Most children of Tiny Observers learnt how to say “ball” and “look”. Through playing, they are also developing their communication skills.

As Max joined their class, his father noted that he was very interested in light. It did not take long for the teacher and assistants to notice that themselves.So, they wanted a new ball with new features... One that once you throw, it glows and shines. Take a look at our magic ball:

A group picture in the ball pit

Kimonas said “Wooow” when he held the ball.

Keiden holding up the ball with pride playing up and down

Three tiny observers playing with the ball machine: Hanna, Keiden, Olivia

A surprise for Max was waiting for him while he was playing in the kitchen: a glowing ball.

Box with holes to insert balls

Hanna, Olivia, Kosuke and Joep playing one game sharing space and items

Key Developmental Indicators:

• Cognitive development• Filling and emptying• Playing with others• Exploring objects• Moving with objects

Pink RoomInfant sectionChildren aged 1 - 2 years

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Blue RoomInfant sectionChildren aged 1 - 2 years

Key Development Indicators:

• Cognitive Development• Identifying visual images• Seeing from different viewpoints• Moving with objects• Exploring print

Reflections On and Off

“It’s a circle!” - Sara

Arian showing the torch to Zayna

Playing with the torch

Yamen is watching the reflections travel to the ceiling

“Hi” - Meme

Min putting his hand over the light whileTeresa is watching

Anton touching thelight reflection on the door

Teresa switching the torch on

There is something alluring about light and mirrors, particularly to children. In this activity, the teachers and the children had the chance to explore and play with them. It also allowed the teachers to see a child's distinct aspect of curiosity and creativity: how every light source inside the room attracted the little ones, or how the lights looked impressive taking up a lot of space in the wall. This gave the children inspiration to experiment with shadows and reflections, or to play with light after the educators saw their enthusiasm.

Lights out, bring the mirrors and torches and proceed to exploring. Children were able to discover the wonderful things a light can make. They knew how torches work, or how rays of light and mirrors relate to each other.

Children manipulated the torches by making them produce different shapes on the wall by using their hands to block some areas of it, making the torches' light size bigger and smaller by zooming it in and out, turning them on and off or even creating light effects inside the classroom. Children were fascinated handling the torches, they were smiling and shouting in excitement.

Children got to play with mirrors too, rotating and flipping them to control

directions to where the light will bounce in, reflecting

light in multiple dimensions. Mirrors spread

light in the room and add light to dark corners. They

used mirrors in different ways to make everything

interesting.

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Current research on the brain, learning and human intelligence from a variety of disciplines, including medicine, cognitive sciences, and education has provided information with profound implications to education. This research is challenging and stretches the traditional approaches to education and teaching, particularly with regard to the ability to learn, human intelligence, and how efficient learning occurs.

Intelligence—What Is It?

The traditional theory of intelligence has two fundamental assumptions: 1. that human cognition is unitary; and 2. that individuals can be adequately described as having a single, quantifiable intelligence.

The traditional theory of intelligence has helped create a mindset or paradigm as to what "smart" or "intelligent" is, who has potential or ability to be smart, and how we can or cannot become smart. This has clearly influenced current educational practices. It is still common educational practice to use the score from standardized intelligence tests to qualify children for various special programs. It is assumed these tests measure intelligence accurately and meaningfully.

Current research indicates that the only limit to one's intelligence is what the individual believes is possible and how his or her behaviors either foster or limit his or her intelligence. Research also indicates that intelligence is not a static structure that can be measured and meaningfully quantified, but an open, dynamic system that can continue to develop throughout life. Through his work and studies, Reuven Feuerstein, a psychologist and educator, has developed a theory of the "Modifiability of Intelligence." He has linked the importance of how teachers, through facilitating learning experiences, impact the quality of learning and influence the potential intelligence of each student. Feuerstein's educational approach focuses on the quality of interaction between the teacher and the learner, which he calls Mediated Learning Experiences (MLE). He has successfully demonstrated how, through systematic and planned enrichment, intelligence can be modified, expanded, and developed. (Feuerstein, 1988).

Research also indicates that intelligence is not a static structure that can be measured and meaningfully quantified, but an open,

dynamic system that can continue to develop throughout life.

Marian Diamond, a neuropsychologist at the University of California-Berkeley, has discovered that the human brain can change and improve with use. Diamond's theory of the "Plasticity of the Brain" implies that environmental conditions, interpersonal stimulation, and the way in which individuals think and behave actually change the body, brain, and intelligence. (Diamond, 1988).

The Theory of Multiple IntelligencesSupporting the new paradigm of intelligence, Howard Gardner of Project Zero at Harvard University has determined that intelligence is a pluralistic phenomenon, rather than a static structure with a single type of intelligence. Gardner defines intelligence as:

• the ability to solve problems that one encounters in real life; • the ability to generate new problems to solve• the ability to make something or offer a service that is valued within one's culture, in his cross-cultural exploration of the ways in which people are intelligent• he has identified seven distinct types of intelligences: - Verbal/Linguistic - Logical/Mathematical - Musical - Visual/Spatial - Body/Kinesthetic - Interpersonal - Intrapersonal

Our western, North American culture, for instance, favors verbal/linguistic and logical/mathematical intelligences and tends to undervalue others, such as body/kinesthetic intelligence. These biases, added to the traditional theory of intelligence, have limited our development of curricula, instructional strategies, and current methods of assessment-including how we measure intelligence. Recent brain/mind research and new theories of human intelligence redirect our attention in three specific areas-first, on the environmental conditions and messages we provide children; second, on the kind of support and relationships we develop between caregivers, educators, and children; and third, on the need to match what we know about the ways kids are intelligent and learn with teaching strategies designed to maximize the full development of each individual child.

According to Gardner's theory, one form of intelligence is not better than another; they are equally valuable and viable. Yet, he discovered that different cultures are

biased towards and against certain types of intelligences.

By Connie Hine

Page 7: Capable Learners Creative Child Newsletter May 2014 Issue

Environmental Strategies to SupportMultiple Intelligences

Because circle time and whole group instruction activities dictate that we do the same thing with all or most of the children at the same time, these activities are among the least effective strategies for meeting the diverse needs and intelligences of young children. Group activities often favor a teacher's strengths while meeting the strengths of only a few of the children.

The most significant modification we can make to meet diverse needs is to reduce the use of circle time and replace it by incorporating and using well-planned learning stations or centers where children can spend most of their day. Learning stations are temporary activity locations where materials are put out and later put away, usually by an adult. Learning centers are permanent locations, visually and spatially defined areas, ideally three-sided, where materials are organized by subject and available for children to select independently.

Conclusion

Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences honors and promotes the development of all seven avenues of intelligence in young children. This approach provides a framework to identify how children learn; to build on their strongest assets; to help them become more intelligent by exposing them to a variety of ways of learning; to better individualize for their interests and needs; and to use teaching strategies that make learning more efficient, successful, and enjoyable for all children. We can foster meaningful learning experiences by using multiple teaching tools and strategies and by building positive, supportive relationships with children.

Through environments that offer a variety of stimulating, hands-on materials that children individually select, and by creating learning centers that provide natural opportunities to move, be active, and fully engaged in either solo or small group experiences, we better serve and meet the needs of more children.

Connie Hine is an educational consultant, professional speaker, trainer, and author of Engaging Young Learners: The Teacher's Role in Early Childhood Classrooms. Read the complete article at : http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=251

By Connie Hine

Page 8: Capable Learners Creative Child Newsletter May 2014 Issue

Key Development Indicators:

• Listening and understanding speech• Role playing & moving with objects• Exploring and identifying Cr

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All the fishare swimming in the water The children always watch the fish tank displayed in the

piazza. They are excited to see the fish move around the water. So, the educators decided to talk about animals that live underwater and explore other things that can be found in the ocean.

They watched videos about the ocean and later on the children took different sea animals and waved them in front of the screen with an ocean background pretending that they were swimming in the water.

The teachers along with the children also explored coral reefs. Children painted shells which they used in the constructive play with clay, and did shell drawing.

The children and the educators sang “1,2,3,4,5 once I caught a fish alive” & “All the fish are swimming in the water”

Cute DiscoverersToddlers sectionChildren aged 2 -3 years

Dillon, Elis, and Jayden painted attentively. Norah drew a straight line by a frame while Lara & Jayden used them as necklaces

“Green fish, orange fish” Jayden pretending Ako tracing the -Lachlan he’s hearing the sound dolphin on the paper from the shell and said and said “fish” “Hi”

They had a one big jarwith lots of small fishhanging which lookedlike an aquarium to the children.

Page 9: Capable Learners Creative Child Newsletter May 2014 Issue

Happy HelpersToddler sectionChildren aged 2 -3 years

Key Development Indicators:

• Social and emotional development• Group participation• Exploring objects filling/emptying• Relationships with adults and peers

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Caring for living things

Caring for living things was the focus of the following projects: bean experiment and bird feeders. The educators did a variety of plant-related activities: they brought a real plant to the classroom so the students could see and touch it; they did a bean experiment that involves putting wet cotton balls inside a Ziploc bag with beans and waiting for them to sprout; looked at books that showed different kinds of plants, flowers, and herbs; and started a garden outside.

These activities allowed them to work on many different important areas of development. The discussions of caring for the plants empha-sized empathy and caring. The bean experiment involved a lot of listening and responding. The teacher explained what they were going to do and how the experiment works. The students actively listened and repeated some of the relevant vocabulary following the steps described. These activities also fostered socialization since there were many opportunities for the students to interact with each other and the adults in the room.

Here they are talking about parts of the plant and what they require to live.

Chloe (left) and Caleb (right) working on the bean experiment. Here we can see the beans in action. Sprout, beans, sprout!

Herbs ready to grow!

Break out your magnifying glass and try to find the bird in

this photo!

To make the bird feeders, they used empty water and milk bottles, dry sticks, string, and bird food. The students were repeating relevant vocabulary as they were making the feeders.

The finished bird feeders hanging on the back porch.

Children have seen a few birds coming to the windows in their classroom. The children got very excited and showed a lot of interest, so the educators decided to plan activities around things that have to do with birds. They made bird feeders together as a class hoping that soon the birds would come again and let the children have a better look at them.

Page 10: Capable Learners Creative Child Newsletter May 2014 Issue

Gardening project

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Aesthetic awareness refers to a heightened sensitivity to the beauty around us. Because the natural world is filled with beautiful sights, sounds, and textures, it's the perfect resource for the development of aesthetics in young children. Toddlerss learn much through their senses. Outside there are many different and wonderful things for them to see (animals, birds, and green leafy plants), to hear (the wind rustling through the leaves, a robin's song), to smell (fragrant flowers and the rain-soaked ground,) to touch (a fuzzy caterpillar or the bark of a tree), and even to taste (newly fallen snow or a raindrop on the tongue).While playing outdoors, children found a garden box with plants and flowers. They sat beside the box, looked, touched and picked the flowers. Every time they play outdoors children are observing and gathering flowers. So the educators in the class decided to conduct a gardening project.

Garden pot, soil, shovel, seeds, and water... these are the things we need in planting.

Children were excited to do planting.

Clement shared his watering can in the class.

After a week of planting, the seeds grew into plants.

“My pink flower” - Alissabeth

These are the children’s pots.

Parents and children brought plants and flowers to share in the class.

Children said, “Flowers, flowers!”

Key Developmental Indicators:

• Self-help• Group participation• Listening and responding• Exploring objects• Physical activity

Dynamic ExplorersToddlers sectionChildren aged 2 -3 years

Page 11: Capable Learners Creative Child Newsletter May 2014 Issue

Dynamic ExplorersToddlers sectionChildren aged 2 -3 years

Drumming

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Infancy and early childhood are prime times to capitalizeon children’s innate musical spontaneity and to encourage their natural inclinations to sing, move, and play with sound. Young children engage in music as an exploratory activity, one that is interactive, social, creative, and joyful.

When young children have a rich musical environment along with appropriate guidance from adults, they can learn, for example, to imitate and with increasing precision, distinguish among rhythm and tone patterns (Gordon 1997).

After snack time, Angus was at the large blocks corner and he started standing the blocks up and decided to start using them as drums. He calledout for Ms D and said, “Look, look what I’mdoing!” Then the rest of the children started to join the fun one by one using the woodenblocks as drums. Angus was the one with the original idea, and the rest of the childrenfollowed his beat.

They are having so much fun! Other children pick up some shakers and ribbons to join in!

Maurizio, Tamim, Angus, Sebastian, Adelina, Nikki, Camille and Ciara all joined in the fun!

Aidan and Angus pretending to perform together, Aidan singing while Angus is playing a trumpet!

Angus and Adam drumming and singing together the “All the fish are swimming in the water” song

Omar decided to join with his own instrument!

Curious CreatorsToddlers sectionChildren aged 2 -3 years

Key Development Indicators:

• Creative arts (listening/responding to music)• Sounds and vocal pitch

Sidra joined and she went to get the bright colourful scarves.

“Twinkle, twinkle!” -Maurizio

“Where did you get these drums, Ms. D?” - Angus

Page 12: Capable Learners Creative Child Newsletter May 2014 Issue

The following descriptions can be helpful to identify basic personal characteristics, traits, behaviors, and preferences for each of the seven intelligences. Remember, we are all intelligent to varying degrees in all seven ways. Each person has a unique profile. You may be very strong in one or two intelligences, medium in a few, and perhaps weak or empty (not yet filled) in one or two. Consequently, you may have four or five intelligences that are equally developed and two that are less developed. The important thing is to identify and build on one's strengths to modify and increase the less developed intelligences in ourselves and in children.

1) Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence—"The Writer/Orator/Attorney"People with high verbal/linguistic intelligence love words. They prefer to process information through words and language versus pictures. They may prefer oral or written methods, or excel in both. Additional characteristics include the following: • Sensitive to the meaning, order, and sound of words • Uses varied language • Avid talkers; good speakers • Likes to explain, convince, and persuade through words • Enjoys and excels at word games • Enjoys listening to, telling, and reading stories • Enjoys rhymes and poetry • Has good memory recall for names and dates

2) Logical/Mathematical Intelligence—"The Scientist/Philosopher"People with high logical/mathematical intelligence create order out of chaos by analyzing, grouping, and categorizing. They recognize relationships, connections, and patterns more easily than people with less logical intelligence. Additional characteristics include the following: • Ability to handle long chains of reasoning • Likes reasons for doing things • Possesses good inductive and deductive reasoning • Quick to learn equivalencies • Asks "why" and "how" questions • Solves problems rapidly • Likes to predict, analyze, and theorize • Enjoys dealing with abstraction • Strong at math and problem solving skills • Sequential thinker • Enjoys board games and games with rules

3) Musical Intelligence—"The Entertainer/Musician"People with high musical intelligence learn best through sound, rhythm, and music. These people learn better when music is playing and through musical metaphors. Additional characteristics include the following: • Ability to perceive pitch, tone, and rhythmic pattern • Well developed auditory sense and discrimination • Ability to create, organize rhythmically, and compose music • Picks up and creates melodies/rhythm easily • Remembers songs easily • Ability to sing or play instruments • Sensitive and drawn to sounds • Possesses "schemas" for hearing music • Constantly humming, tapping, and singing

4) Visual/Spatial Intelligence—"The Architect/Engineer/ Sculptor"People with high visual intelligence process information best using pictures, visuals, and imagery. They have a sense of direction and an ability to think and plan in three dimensions. Additional characteristics include the following:

• Ability to create complex mental images • Active imagination • Ability to find their way mentally and physically around environment

• Ability to see the physical world accurately and translate it into new forms • Ability to see things in relationship to others • Ability to use "mind maps" • Uses imagery and guided visualizations • Likes visual support-video, pictures, photos, charts, posters • Organizes space, objects, and areas • Enjoys designing and decorating

5) Body/Kinesthetic Intelligence—"The Athlete/ Dancer/Actor/Surgeon"People with high kinesthetic intelligence process information through their bodies-through muscle, sensation, and movement. Their bodies are their avenue to learning and understanding any content or subject and is also their preferred form of self-expression. Additional characteristics include the following: • A fine-tuned ability to use the body and handle objects (fine and gross motor) • Ability to express emotions through bodily movement • Enjoys physical movement and dance • Constant movement-likes to get up and move around • Commitment to comfort • Uses body to accomplish a task • Experiences a strong mind/body connection • Expands awareness through the body • Experiences a total physical response • Often good at creative drama

6) Interpersonal Intelligence—"The Counselor/Minister/Teacher"People with high interpersonal intelligence process information through relatedness to others. They are "people" people. It is in relationship to and with other people that they best understand themselves and the world. Additional characteristics include the following: • Ability to notice and discern subtleties among others, such as moods, temperaments, and feelings • Discerns underlying intentions, behavior, and perspectives • Easily makes friends and enjoys the company of others • Ability to get into the perspective of another • Responds to verbal and nonverbal communications-facial cues and body movements • Recognizes and empathizes with others' feelings • Ability to negotiate and handle conflict resolution • Works cooperatively in a group • Works well with a diverse group of people • Good communication skills • Loves to talk and influence

7) Intrapersonal Intelligence—"The Poet/Efficiency Expert"People with high intrapersonal intelligence have a strong sense of themselves, their wants, and needs. They are self reflective and in touch with themselves. They may be the nonconformist individuals who march to their own drummer. Additional characteristics include the following: • Well developed sense of self • Awareness and expression of different feelings • Self reflection and mindfulness • Ability to think about thinking (i.e., metacognition) • Transpersonal sense of self. Asks big questions—"Why are we here?" and "What happens when we die?" • Often is a daydreamer • Often writes introspectively including prose, poetry, or journal writing • Excellent self planners and good at goal setting • Enjoys solitude and likes to think alone • Good understanding of strengths and weaknesses • Enjoys self discovery

By Connie Hine

Page 13: Capable Learners Creative Child Newsletter May 2014 Issue

The Art of Friendship

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When Ms. Zeina started teaching in January the little ones were still content playing with anyone and everyone. By March they began forming opinions not only about their favorite books and toys, but also about their favorite people. They actively communicated their decisions about who they wanted and didn’t want to play with. On the one hand, it was magical to watch genuine friendships develop, yet on the other hand, it was heartbreaking to watch some children deal with blunt rejection. The educators decided that it was time to start understanding and practicing kindness. The project “The Art of Friendship” developed out of a need they observed in the group.

Since empathy is a very visceral concept, acquiring it requires activities that engage growth on an emotional level. One of the teacher’s strategies was to activate empathy via collaboration. If students are given enough opportunity to work side-by-side, they begin to communicate; more possibilities are present for free exchange of ideas and feelings, and understanding your partner becomes imperative for achieving the activity’s objectives. Beyond understanding comes the very difficult but wonderful task of respecting an idea that differs from theirs.

The children were randomly paired up with a “Sock Buddy” during Large Group Time through different activities like:

Their Favorite ThingsChildren chose one of their classmate’s pictures and were encouraged to describe them out of context.

“I choose Nasser. He’s not here anymore. He loved to cut and glue. He always wanted scissors.”-Mazen

Bargaining with ArtSock buddies were

instructed to cut the same piece of paper. This helped

develop verbal and non-verbal communication

skills and conflict resolution.

“I want to make a door” - Mazen

“Okay, I’m cutting here.” -Louis

A Friend in MommyAfter observing that most children wanted their necklace for Mommy, they decided to dedicate a whole gluing activity to making a flower for her too.

“This is for my mommy. I will buy her a big yellow Lamborghini. I love her so much.” - Huzayfa

“Annabel you want to cleanit two times?” - Karim

“Drew how do I squeeze it?” - Khloe

Me and My Sock BuddyEach group would have to accept their new partner and spend the rest of the day getting to know them.

“I am with Annabel!” - Alfred“Who has the stripes?” - Drew

Love in LaborSock-buddies paired up to clean their socks at the end of the week. Weather was perfect and socks were ready for a nice scrubbing. It encouraged the children to enjoy cleaning, help each other, do it properly as opposed inadvertently making a mess, and to empathize with those who constantly clean up after them.

I’ll Make You PrettyThe children were given a length of yarn, some cut up straws, and the instruction to adorn their sock-buddy with a necklace.

“I’m giving it to my Mommy and my Daddy and my brother and my sister.” -Mary

“This is for Haya Mermaid.” - Alfred

Key Developmental Indicators:

• Group participation & fine motor skills• Relationship with adults and peers• Social and emotional development

Independent InventorsPreschool sectionChildren aged 3 - 4 years

Page 14: Capable Learners Creative Child Newsletter May 2014 Issue

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Mystery MakersPreschool sectionChildren aged 3 - 4 years

Key Development Indicators:

• Initiative, planning & engagement• Problem solving• Use of resources• Cooperative play• Language• Pretend play

Our Little Engineers

“ I will pass the bridge” - Sebastian

“ Wait I will fix it first. Gregory help me please.” - Joseph

“ I am under this one.. I will hide and play with the blocks. It is like a house” - Hala

“Nasser, look there is hammer and screw. What do you want to build?” - Rania

“I need to fix it. It is broken. Then I will fix the house” - Marcus

“I will put the sand inside the drill” - Lydia

Animals CastleDone by: Joseph and Analeigh with the help of Gregorio, Sebastian, and Antoine

“Let’s build the house for the animals and people.” - Joseph“I will put this up” - Gregory

“I will give this to you so thecastle will not fall down.” - Joseph

“I am fixing these for the house.”- Gregory

“ We are doing a nice place for the animals to live. This is to decorate their house and be colorful. It is very nice and the animals will be happy” -Analeigh

As part of the Emergent Curriculum, the educators focus on the children’s interests and initiatives. One of the centers in the classroom that is very interesting for children is the block area. This is one of the episodes where the children pretended and created their own game using different open-ended materials available in the classroom.

The blocks center is a very important part of any early childhood classroom. When children build with blocks, they learn about mathematical concepts such as size, shape, number, and quantity. They become aware of scientific principles such as the force of gravity and the functioning of simple machines such as levers and inclined planes. They learn to think, plan, and problem-solve as their structures take form. This center has special appeal for children whose intelligences are strong in the visual/spatial, logical/mathematical, and bodily/kinesthetic areas.

Page 15: Capable Learners Creative Child Newsletter May 2014 Issue

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Fantastic DesignersPreschool sectionChildren aged 3 - 4 years

Key Development Indicators:

• Use of resources/reflection• Drawing conclusion• Pretend play & experimenting• Fine motor skills• Observing, communicating ideas

mommy butterfly

baby butterfly

“butterfly is flying and flyingon flowers to sit”

caterpillar

chrysalis

egg of butterflyleaf

food for the caterpillar

flowers

I love butterflies

“See my butterfly is flying through the light table” -Celia

“I want my butterfly to fly away” -Yassin

“In the blue sky orange butterfly, orange butterfly fly fly fly” -Tae

“My butterfly needs to eat nectar from flowers to fly away” -Layla

“I have mommy, daddy and baby butterflies. Mommy and baby butterflies are flying and daddy butterfly is laying down on the bed at home. Mommy butterfly is looking for the food. There is fire and they will cook marshmallow in the fire. There are also rocks so butterflies will go there to sleep.” -Daniel

“My tiny butterfly canfly see Layla” -Celia (left)

“Mine too..” -Layla (right)

What do you know aboutbutterflies?

The Butterflies Project started with the story book,“The Very Hungry Caterpillar”. The children showed real interest through the many questions that came to their minds after the story: What the butterflies look like?How do they fly?What do they eat? So the educators decided to initiate an investigation in the classroom.

At the beginning of the project, some children were invited to draw what they knew about butterflies. The teacher continued bringing more books and video clips for their research. Children had the opportunity to express their learning process throughout different art media. During one activity where they were making butterflies with plastic bags, tempera paint, and pipe cleaners, the children decided to go to the Dark Room to see (on the light table) the color of the butterflies they made. While doing so Celia said that she wanted her butterfly to fly away. That opened a new investigation… "How do you think you can make your butterfly fly?”, the teacher asked. Children came up with the idea of using a piece of cord. The teacher provided the materials and the children successfully made the butterflies fly away. The children continue with their investigation.

Children drew pictures of how they thought the butterflies looked like and where they live.

Others also drew pictures of what they learned about butterflies by the end of our project.

Luckily, they found a real butterfly in the garden that allowed them to validate their theories and consolidate their knowledge about the butterflies.

“The butterfly doesn’t have food. It needs to eat nectar from flowers.

It needs to go out so that it can eat food. It has huge eyes and

four wings and six legs.I think it’s a boy. It is cute” -Ethan

mommybutterfly

daddybutterfly

babybutterfly

Page 16: Capable Learners Creative Child Newsletter May 2014 Issue

Key Development Indicators:

• Use of resources/reflection• Drawing conclusion• Pretend play & experimenting• Fine motor skills• Observing, communicating ideas

Approaches to Learning • Initiative: Children express initiative. • Problem solving: Children solve problems encountered in exploration and play. • Self-help: Children do things for themselves.

Social and Emotional Development • Distinguishing self and others: Children distinguish themselves from others.• Attachment: Children form an attachment to a primary caregiver.• Relationships with adults: Children build relationships with other adults.•Relationships with peers: Children build relationships with peers.• Emotions: Children express emotions.• Empathy: Children show empathy toward the feelings and needs of others.• Playing with others: Children play with others.• Group participation: Children participate in group routines.

Physical Development and Health• Moving parts of the body: Children move parts of the body (turning head, grasping, kicking).• Moving the whole body: Children move the whole body (rolling, crawling, cruising, walking, running, balancing).• Moving with objects: Children move with objects.• Steady beat: Children feel and experience steady beat.• Food education: Children talk about and choose healthy food options, enjoy and share meals together in school.

Communication, Language, and Literacy• Listening and responding: Children listen and respond.• Nonverbal communication: Children communicate nonverbally.• Two-way communication: Children participate in two-way communication.• Speaking: Children speak.• Exploring print: Children explore picture books and magazines.• Enjoying language: Children enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs.

Cognitive Development• Exploring objects: Children explore objects with their hands, feet, mouth, eyes, ears, and nose.• Object permanence: Children discover object permanence.• Exploring same and different: Children explore and notice how things are the same or different.• Exploring more: Children experience "more."• One-to-one correspondence: Children experience one-to-one correspondence.• Number: Children experience the number of things.• Locating objects: Children explore and notice the location of objects.• Filling and emptying: Children fill and empty, put in and take out.• Taking apart and putting together: Children take things apart and fit them together.• Seeing from different viewpoints: Children observe people and things from various perspectives.• Anticipating events: Children anticipate familiar events.• Time intervals: Children notice the beginning and ending of time intervals.• Speed: Children experience "fast" and "slow."• Cause and effect: Children repeat an action to make something happen again, experience cause and effect.

Creative Arts• Imitating and pretending: Children imitate and pretend.• Exploring art materials: Children explore building and art materials.• Identifying visual images: Children respond to and identify pictures and photographs.• Listening to music: Children listen to music.• Responding to music: Children respond to music.• Sounds: Children explore and imitate sounds.• Vocal pitch: Children explore vocal pitch sounds.

Creative Child Nursery Curriculum ContentChildren from 0 to 3 years old

In the HighScope Curriculum, the learning content is organized in areas of development guided by the key developmental indicators (KDIs) that meet all state standards in the USA. Each KDI is linked to one of the dimensions of school readiness, and each is a statement that identifies an observable child behavior reflecting knowledge and skills in those areas.

Page 17: Capable Learners Creative Child Newsletter May 2014 Issue

Approaches to Learning

• Initiative: Children demonstrate initiative as they explore their world.• Planning: Children make plans and follow through on their intentions.• Engagement: Children focus on activities that interest them.• Problem solving: Children solve problems encountered in play.• Use of resources: Children gather information and formulate ideas about their world.• Reflection: Children reflect on their experiences.

Social and Emotional Development

• Self-identity: children have a positive self-identity.• Sense of competence: children feel they are competent.• Emotions: Children recognize, label, and regulate their feelings.• Empathy: Children demonstrate empathy toward others.• Community: Children participate in the community of the classroom.• Building relationships: Children build relationships with other children and adults.• Cooperative play: Children engage in cooperative play.Moral development: Children develop an internal sense of right and wrong.• Conflict resolution: Children resolve social conflicts.• Decision-making: Children participate in making classroom decisions.

Physical Development and Health

• Gross-motor skills: Children demonstrate strength, flexibility, balance and timing in using their large muscles.• Fine-motor skills: Children demonstrate dexterity and hand-eye coordination in using their small muscles.• Body awareness: Children know about their bodies and how to navigate them in space.• Personal care: Children carry out personal care routines on their own.• Healthy behavior: Children engage in healthy practices.• Food education: Children talk about and choose healthy food options, enjoy and share meals together in school.

Language Development and Emergent Literacy

• Multilingual awareness: Children acquire and use different languages in school and at home.• Comprehension: Children understand language(s).• Speaking: Children express themselves using language(s).• Vocabulary: Children understand and use a variety of words and phrases.• For non-native speakers: Children understand and use basic words and phrases.• Phonological awareness: Children identify distinct sounds in spoken language.• Alphabetic knowledge: Children know some letter names and some letter sound associations.• Concepts about print: Children understand that written language conveys messages. Children demonstrate knowledge about environmental print. (e.g. signs, newspapers and magazines, lists, menus, packaging).• Book knowledge: Children demonstrate knowledge about books. (e.g. they hold a book upright and face-forward, read it front to back and differentiate text and pictures).

• Pre-Writing: Children make scribbles or strings of random letters with no spaces. Children write letters, usually those in their own names.• Pre-reading: Children pretend reading as they turn pages of books, invent story using pictures and their memory of the story.

Mathematics

• Number words and symbols: Children recognize numbers from 1-10.• Counting: Children count things. They understand that the last number counted tells “how many”.• Part-whole relationships: Children combine and separate quantities of objects.• Shapes: Children identify, name and describe shapes.• Spatial awareness: Children recognize spatial relationships among people and objects. They use position, direction and distance words to describe actions and the location of objects in their environment.• Measuring: Children measure to describe, compare, and order things. (i.e. length, volume, weight; some/different, bigger/smaller, more/less; shortest/longest).• Unit: Children understand and use the concept of unit. They measure using unconventional (e.g. block, shoe) and conventional (e.g., ruler) measuring tools. • Patterns: Children identify, describe, copy, complete and create patterns.

Creative Arts

• Art: Children express and represent what they observe, think, imagine, and feel through two-and three-dimensional art.• Music: Children express and represent what they observe, think, imagine, and feel through music.• Movement: Children express and represent what they observe, think, imagine, and feel through movement.• Pretend play: Children express and represent what they observe, think, imagine, and feel through pretend play.• Appreciating the arts: Children appreciate the creative arts.

Science and Technology

• Observing: Children observe the materials and processes in their environment.• Classifying: Children classify materials, actions, people, and events.• Experimenting: Children experiment to test their ideas.• Predicting: Children predict what they expect will happen.• Drawing conclusions: Children draw conclusions based on their experiences and observations.• Communicating ideas: Children communicate their ideas about the characteristics of things and how they work.• Natural and physical world: Children gather knowledge about the natural and physical world.• Tools and technology: Children explore and use tools and technology.

Social Studies

• Diversity: Children understand that people have diverse characteristics, interests, and abilities.• Community roles: Children recognize that people have different roles and functions in the community.• Geography: Children recognize and interpret features and locations in their environment.• History: Children understand past, present, and future.• Citizenship and Identity: Children know their country of origin, their nationalities. They share their heritage.

Creative Child Preschool Curriculum ContentChildren from 3 to 5 years old

Page 18: Capable Learners Creative Child Newsletter May 2014 Issue

Yellow Room Teacher: Ameera Fuentes Aguasan

Assistants: Roselie Teologo & Vanessa Mendoza

Blue RoomTeacher: Cinta Sanchez

Assistants: Joy Baralin & Ma. Fatima Hernandez

Pink RoomTeacher: Manel Miaadi

Assistants: Funmi Adebayo & Muskan Dangi

Cute DiscoverersTeacher: Ray Qiu

Assistants: Thelma Rodriguez & Fe Palad

Happy HelpersTeacher: Aymara Baquero

Assistants: Rona Miclat & Evangeline Gonzalez

Dynamic ExplorersTeacher: Ma Lisa Capila

Assistants: Halimat Makinde & Lea Dela Cruz

Curious CreatorsTeacher: Diana Randall

Assistants: Monaira Ara & Cyril Andaya

Independent InventorsTeacher: Zeina Hamady

Assistants: Joanna Fernandez & Vilma Borejon

Mystery MakersTeacher: Hayat El-Siss

Assistants: Monalisa Baltazar & Felmary Noneza

Fantastic DesignersTeacher: Arife Bilgin

Assistants: Mary Ann Virtudazo & Leni Toledana

Support Staff:Aileen De la Cruz (Preschool) – Library and supplies

Jannie Hernandez (Nursery) – Documentation CenterHamed Rasheed - Security GuardIda Rahmouni -Morning Cleaner

Fatima Beyassine – French TeacherMarilyn Hall – School Nurse

Kimberly Astillo (Nido) - Nurse Assistant

Administrative Team: Fabiola Barrios - Director

Josephine Cerillo - Educational CoordinatorMira El Dessouky - Administrative Assistant

Sofia Bach- Registrar

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September 2013- June 2014