Reggio Emilia: Families

There were some wonderful ideas for incorporating the families' presence in the classroom environment at Rosa Parks Preschool.  I think it is so comforting and homey for the children to see their families displayed in the classroom.  It makes a strong statement of mutual support and commitment to the child. 

Family Tree: A simple tree painted on a canvas.  Each family member makes a "finger-print" leaf.  

They include aunts, uncles etc. . . So cool!

Notice to the right, there are those wonderful branches with photos of each family hanging down.  Love. Love.

 Hopes and Dreams Loom:  I love. this. so. much!   I have a warm spot in my heart for woven pieces.  The parent wrote their hopes and dreams for their child on a ribbon and wove it into the loom.  This is so wonderful.

I would include the teacher's hopes and dreams for the students.

 Here is their documentation sheet about the loom project.

Each family has a frame and a photo picture hanging right next to the "safe place."  

Another great way to integrate the photos of the families around a safe place.  Love the wheel.  A rich symbol.

Hugs!

Mystery Readers!

At Back to School Night - I always have a Mystery Reader Sign-up.  This is one of those ideas that if you aren't doing it - you should start this year!  A Mystery Reader is a surprise visit from a family member (moms, dads, grandparents, siblings, uncles, aunts, etc).  They bring a favorite picture book to read.  One of my traditions is I always let the child sit next to the family member as they read.  It is such a grand moment!   I have had students from previous years come as Mystery Readers!

I like to set up a specific day and time period for Mystery Readers such as Fridays afternoons.  I write in the dates available on my sign-up form. (see below)  It is easier on my planning!  Next, I transfer the information from the sign-up form to my reminder slips.  I clip these on to my lesson plan pages - ready to go when it is time.

I will schedule only one Mystery Reader per Friday.   Here is a download of my Mystery Reader flyer and reminder slips:

 

 Click here to download.

Click here to download.

Click here to download slips

A few of the amazing mystery readers from my classroom:

Family Reflections

Family Reflections is a process I developed to get honest and helpful feedback from families.   In my experience, parents often will tell me of an suggestion or issue in the classroom on a form that I might not otherwise hear.  I think this is because a form is easy and quick!

While I send home about four to five reflection forms a year, today I am sharing the last Family Reflection form of the year.   I keep it to one page - short and sweet.  I do not want the form to be overwhelming.   Click on the image to download a copy.

Celebrating New Siblings

I know most of you probably do something like this or even something more elaborate.  But I think it is always fun to share ideas.  Here is what I do -- I would love to hear about what you do!   Cole is becoming a brother for the first time tomorrow so we made him a book.  (I love making books for big events like moving, new siblings, etc.)

I demonstrated how to draw a baby in swaddling.   The kids love drawing babies!

 Here is the finished book!

Here is a sampling of the book:

Next, I make a little baby for a card:

 I cut a round piece of tissue paper.  This one is about 3 or 4 inches wide.  I cut out a "baby."

 Fold one side of the circle over onto the "baby." Glue.

Fold over the other side and glue.

Glue the little baby to a card and write something! (I added a little heart.)  I like to make a big deal about the kindergartner becoming a big brother or sister.  Cole's new sibling is a little girl - he calls Sissy.  So we all agreed - Sissy is one lucky baby to have sweet Cole as a big brother!!!  So exciting!!

Grandparents Day

Okay - I know I have been on Pinterest too much when I am thinking "hand held white board messages."  But honestly, it was a grand idea for Grandparent's day.  What I loved about it was that those children who did not have grandparents still had a cute photo opt that we could send home.  Well - back to Pinterest for more inspiration. . .
 

Snow People Homework

I love family art projects!  Let's be clear - some children do the work and for other families the child does very little of the work.  So you might ask - why send it home?  I have been doing family art projects for many, many years.  One of the benefits I see is parent/child engagement.  It is a fun and engaging way for parents to work with their children.  It is often less stressful than regular homework and I have heard back over and over again how much the family enjoys it.  So I make it very clear - this is a "family" art project!!  I have included downloads for you with a snow person template and an example of a letter to send out. 

Snowman Template

Snow People Homework

Easy Teacher/ Volunteer Gift

This is one of my favorite gifts to make for a teacher or people in a group (like Sunday School, Book Club, etc).  When I began making these in 2005, the only good mug available was at Starbucks.   It is still one of the best quality mugs.  But you can find lovely mugs at Target and other stores as well.

HOW TO MAKE A SIGNATURE MUG
1. Remove the inner liner from the mug.
2. Trace liner on a piece of watercolor paper.
3. Brush water over traced area. Let water soak into paper for just a moment.
4. Brush layers of color.  I went subtle with a tad of purple at the bottom, a wash of blue and then a large area of yellow.  The watercolor paint I used has glitter in it as well.
5.  Let dry.  Cut out the new watercolor liner.
6. Put watercolor liner into mug.  Trace the bottom over hang and mark where the paper overlaps so you do not get signatures in that area (it would be hidden).
7.  Have the children (or group members) sign the mug in the area that will be visible.  (Use a sharpie pen.)
8.  Put the liner back in the mug and you are done!

Trace the liner on the watercolor paper.

 Put on a wash of water for wet-on-wet watercolor.

Brush layers of watercolor.  I like to add texture with pressing on plastic wrap or sprinkling salt.

Katie, my intern, using her signature mug we gave her!