Yesterday, we took some time out from planning our Pop-Up Lab School for EdExProject to visit two Reggio-inspired classrooms at Thornwood PS in Peel Region. It turned out to be just the mental break and inspiration we needed! Laurel Fynes (@KinderFynes), Lada Duric (@LadaD2) and their kindergarten students were so welcoming, and excitedly shared their thinking with us as we all moved through the day together. It was an absolute pleasure to be in these healthy learning spaces where the need for ongoing classroom management was completely non-existent. Students worked together and independently – respectful of each other and the materials, and were deeply engaged in joyful learning.
Throughout the day, I heard Laurel remind her students to "look closely". This had the wonderful effect of slowing them down and pushing their thinking. When I got home – with those words echoing in my head – I took the time to "look closely" at the photos from our visit. Here's what I noticed: Hands appear in almost every photo – maneuvering lights, creating patterns, touching, moving, poking, sorting. As I put together this PicCollage of images, a thought popped into my mind: We use our hands to think!
Throughout the day, I heard Laurel remind her students to "look closely". This had the wonderful effect of slowing them down and pushing their thinking. When I got home – with those words echoing in my head – I took the time to "look closely" at the photos from our visit. Here's what I noticed: Hands appear in almost every photo – maneuvering lights, creating patterns, touching, moving, poking, sorting. As I put together this PicCollage of images, a thought popped into my mind: We use our hands to think!
That got me thinking about the moment Lada announced she had captured a loose butterfly from their collection and wanted to release it into the (amazing) no-mow zone out back. The excitement of holding the butterfly in her hands, of gently opening her hand in the sunlight and releasing the butterfly onto a dandelion brought so much joy and wonder to us as adults, I can only imagine how it must feel for a child. Imagine watching caterpillars turn into butterflies right there in your classroom! Imagine turning over a pinecone and discovering the unexpected pattern it leaves behind in the sand. Imagine letting water beads fall through your fingertips and discovering the delicate balance between cool and warmth, excitement and calm. All of these discoveries happen in hands-on inquiry-based classrooms every day. So, if we learn so much when our hands think for us, why do we stop teaching this way beyond the kindergarten years?
Our visit to Thornwood could not have come at a better time. Taking a break from our intense focus on planning for EdExProject has re-ignited our creativity and propelled our planning forward with ease. Connecting with other educators always challenges our thinking in amazing ways. I am even more excited for the conference now, knowing that everyone who attends will experience the joy of unexpected discoveries and the opportunity to think with their hands.
Our visit to Thornwood could not have come at a better time. Taking a break from our intense focus on planning for EdExProject has re-ignited our creativity and propelled our planning forward with ease. Connecting with other educators always challenges our thinking in amazing ways. I am even more excited for the conference now, knowing that everyone who attends will experience the joy of unexpected discoveries and the opportunity to think with their hands.
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