Nature Connection, Diversity & Culture Repair

March 3, 2017

Rising discomfort, disorder and disillusionment. Rising disparity, disconnect and depression. Nature connection is about returning something forgotten to our culture.

http://files.gamebanana.com/img/ico/sprays/524512858f051.png

Teachers are Fools

February 19, 2017

This is the second post in a series that links the practice and role of teachers with cross-cultural archetypes and mythology

http://aumag.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Clown-Zebraweb.jpg

Teachers are Clowns

January 30, 2017

Lately I've been reading about, imagining and embodying the way of the 'clown'. What I have learned so far, and what I look forward to exploring more and more, is the relationship between clowning and teaching. Here goes...

Andy Goldsworthy: http://ekstrakt.me/2015/09/andy-goldsworthy/?lang=en

What is Nature Pedagogy?

January 22, 2017

In nature pedagogy, nature is the teacher. Nature is the classroom, the storeroom, the playground, the studio and the lab. Ecology underpins the curriculum and through play, discovery and construction, students learn to be themselves.

How and Why: Creativity in the Scientific Method

August 10, 2016

Storytelling is a window to involving the arts in science education. Stories can form the basis for installations, paintings, drama, dance and music. Telling them over and over in different ways deepens understanding and engagement with content.

The Most Important Question to ask Students at the End of the Day

July 10, 2016

Every day, in thousands upon thousands of cars all around the world, four simple words rattle around in search of meaningful feedback about children’s wellbeing. “So, how was your day?” Its a question we ask those in who’s wellbeing we take an interest. But what is it that we really want to know?

What is Mindfulness? And what isn't? Unpacking Mindfulness in Education

June 11, 2016

To truly integrate mindfulness into education we have to all be practicing. We have to recognise that as teachers, we too are in brain training. And we have to be committed to the same kind of training as our students.

Reggio Emilia in Primary School: The role of Atelierista

May 22, 2016

The 'Atelierista' is an individual with a background in education and creative arts. He or she works directly with classroom teachers, and also simultaneously with teachers and students, devising and facilitating learning experiences that compliment classroom curricular learning.

Acknowledgement of Country: Reflections on Reconciliation in Early and Primary Education

May 11, 2016

So much of the way we educate ourselves is about understanding the world around us - the cultures and organisms, the nature and the art. But we do not examine our own culture to anything of the same degree. We do not turn a critical eye on our own history and so we remain blind.

Using Classroom Displays to foster Growth Mindset

April 11, 2016

The way we display student work reflects how we value student effort and achievement. Displays also serve as important tools in developing learning environments that enrich and support student learning.

What Am I Doing? A Child's perspective on Identity

February 11, 2016

The child says I am what I do, whereas the adult says I do what I am. The child understands that being is fluid, that one can be many things at different times. That professional qualifications or experience is not the determinant of identity.

Rhythmic Thinking: Music, maths and learning difficulties

January 11, 2016

Music is a great teacher. It helps us to communicate, express ourselves, learn about the world and make sense of our thoughts. It may also hold some of the keys to assisting with the learning and reasoning process.

Three ways Documentation promotes Deep Learning

December 11, 2015

This post is inspired by a discussion at the NW Sydney Reggio group meeting in November 2015. The discussion was led by Jill McLachlan (author of Unearthing Why), in attendance were a number of early childhood and primary educators as well as AProf Alma Fleet.

A Story about Open Ended Education

November 11, 2015

This is a story about a girl named Amanda. It takes place in a park not far from her home on a breezy afternoon in autumn. The trees are dancing away their weathered leaves while Amanda collects them for a purpose yet unknown.