"Chaos" in the Classroom
As I walk from one classroom into the adjoining room, I can’t help but let out a sigh. Before me lies what appears to be a mess. Boxes are stacked up, covered with blankets falling off here and there in what appears, to my eyes, to be a haphazard order. Really, it is a miracle that gravity hasn’t brought them down to the ground. Scattered about are food items from the kitchen, Duplo people from our home area and little plastic animals (or say, little plastic dogs and dinosaur
Including Nature in the Outdoor Play Scape
At Wildwood Nature School, most of our outdoor time is spent in the forest, but we do have a backyard “playground.” When designing the outdoor playground or making additions to it, I strive to keep everything as natural as possible. The inclusion of plants, the incorporation of elements that are supposed to get wet or dry as the weather changes and elements that invite children to manipulate nature gives children an ever-changing environment to explore. Keeping the outdoor sp
Inviting Participation
Paige and Katie are building together with magnetic tiles when Katie runs out of yellow squares and casually reaches over to take one from Paige’s castle. Paige hits her hand away. The swatting motion catches the eye of a teacher wiping down the snack table a few feet away. “Paige!” says the teacher sternly, “We don’t use hitting at this school. We take care of each other. Say you’re sorry.” Clearly not sorry, Paige says the word and the teacher turns back to the table. In he
