ERIC Number: EJ1192834
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Oct
Pages: 7
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-8148
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Following the Current
Lowry, Anne
Science and Children, v56 n3 p45-51 Oct 2018
The Reggio-inspired approach often leads a teacher down unexpected paths, as many class explorations originate from students' observations of problems or phenomena. Students then work collaboratively with the teacher; the teacher consistently observes and questions the students to discover what the students are thinking and why. The teacher extends and deepens the students' thinking through "provocations," experiential activities designed for students to create and test ideas. A consequence of the provocations is that students continually self-select into groups based on mutual ideas. This article is the story of one such unexpected journey with a prekindergarten class that stayed true to the Reggio-inspired approach in several ways: (1) following student questions; (2) the teacher co-learning with the students; (3) allowing for self-grouping; (4) encouraging a variety of methods to express understandings and new knowledge; and (5) consistent teacher observation and documentation. The activities in the class follow the cycle of inquiry, based on Worth and Grollman's work. This cycle includes iterations of wonder, engage, observe, explore, and share.
Descriptors: Reggio Emilia Approach, Teaching Methods, Teacher Student Relationship, Questioning Techniques, Learning Activities, Experiential Learning, Preschool Teachers, Kindergarten, Inquiry, Science Instruction, Astronomy
National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A