Louise Kool for Back to School!

As an educator, who strives to create a classroom environment that is natural and promotes curiosity, I was in complete awe when I stepped inside Louise Kool & Galt with #4EverInspired. 

Not only does this 100% owned and controlled company strive to create natural learning materials, furniture, and equipment for the classroom, they also provide the same resources for outdoor learning and exploration. 

As much as Sonia Polak and Cathy Elliott, the Sales Representatives for the company, were excited to present their showroom to us, as well as share their knowledge and expertise of the products with us, we were equally excited to explore all the beautifully crafted and high quality materials they had to offer! 

  

I definitely felt like a kid in a candy store walking through the space at Louise Kool & Galt. Every corner and tabletop was filled with natural and realistic materials, as well as the latest resources for educators. How could I pick just 10 items for my wish list when I could easily choose 100!? With that being said, the following are 10 of my favourites for Back to School that I had the chance to explore and tinker with during our visit!

1. The Sand Trays caught my attention with their glass base and their shallow wooden sides. I loved reading that they also feature a built in slot underneath to add coloured paper or materials for different effects. 

2. The Magnetic Wooden Blocks from Tegu were another personal favourite of mine! This set provides endless possibilities for building and creating with the various shapes and colours.  

3. I would love to add the Outlast Ramps, Blocks, and Flow Pan to my outdoor classroom. These materials are sure to create open-ended play and exploration opportunities with water and loose parts.

4. The Discovery Windows, which are square blocks that you can fill with various items, intrigued me during my visit. I would love to add them to block play, the light table, or a provocation. 

5. I had never seen Transparent Prismo Triangles before and was drawn to them on top of the round mirrored table. They would also be great on the light table or in the math area.

6. The Rattan Sorting Trays are great for sorting manipulatives and loose parts. They are natural in colour, plastic, and super sturdy! 

7. The Nature Wooden Disc Set is another must-have for both the classroom and outdoor learning. The wooden discs are stamped with insect images for sorting, matching, and imaginative play. 

8. A great fine motor manipulative for the classroom are the Letter Stones. They are natural tools for developing fine motor control and feeling the formation of the letters with your fingertips. 

9. I absolutely loved the Storage Units with various built-in panels on the back- from felt boards to mirrors, and magnetic panels to dry-erase boards. It aids in the utilization of all spaces in a classroom environment.   

10. I couldn't complete my list without adding one of the many amazing and current professional resources on their shelves! I can't wait to return to Louise Kool & Galt to pick up my copy of Working in the Reggio Way.  

Don't forget to visit the other ladies of #4EverInspired to see what they have on their Top 10 Wish List for Back to School with Louise Kool & Galt! 

"Four" more on....

Vanessa Bianchi of The Evolving Educator  

Jocelyn Schmidt of Our Kindergarten Journey 

Joanne Babalis of Transform Ed 

Also, visit our Instagram Accounts to enter a free giveaway for your chance to win one of four $50.00 gift certificates from Louise Kool & Galt in collaboration with #4EverInspired! 

@evolvingeducator
@joannebabalis
@ourkindergartenjourney
@kindiekorner

A special thank you to Sonia and Cathy for allowing us to spend time tinkering in their space, providing us with resources and goodies, and generously contributing to our #4EverInspired giveaway! Their excitement for Louise Kool & Galt was contagious!   

Reflectively Yours,
#4EverInspired xoxo

Sit Spots- Engaging Students in Meaningful Learning Opportunities Outdoors

I first encountered Sit Spots at a Ministry Pilot "A Week in the Forest" founded by Tanya Murray, an Outdoor Education Teacher and Specialist with Sibbald Point, which took place with Jocelyn Schmidt of Our Kindergarten Journey's Kindergarten students. You can visit Jocelyn's detailed post of the week, including a section on Sit Spots at "A Week in the Forest"- Inspiring Learning Outside. 

Sit Spots are used as a place where students can sit independently and connect with nature. The intention is to foster a lasting bond or relationship with a particular spot in nature and watch its transformation over time. I have seen firsthand how Sit Spots have helped inspire learning outside and allowed for an easy and accessible way to engage students in meaningful learning opportunities outdoors. 

With a younger age group, such as those in Kindergarten, you might consider using Sit Spots during an outdoor group activity first. Playing a circle game or having a community or knowledge building circle using Sit Spots allow students to gain familiarity with them and feel comfortable using them. You can also assign each student to a Sit Spot, as you lay them down outside, and provide them with an activity to do while they are at their spot. 

Some examples that I have tried with my class are clipboards with paper and crayons or watercolours to record what you see and hear in nature, magnifying glasses or binoculars to look closely at things in nature that surround your Sit Spot, or frames made from sticks or paper to focus on a particular spot in nature. With these activities, I have found that students are able to sit and focus independently for longer periods of time, which in turn allows them to connect on a deeper level with nature. As students become more comfortable on their Sit Spots, you can increase the time they are seated, as well as their independence in choosing their own spot. 

As an educator, it is also important that you actively participate in using the Sit Spots. It is tempting (speaking from experience) to want to go over to a student and ask them questions or walk around and take pictures, however modeling how to use your Sit Spot is important for students to see, especially in the early years. If they see you engaging in the activity, they will be more inclined to stay in their spot and focus on their activity as well. Remember, there is always time for meaningful discussion and sharing after Sit Spots! 

The Sit Spots that I were introduced to are foam puzzle mats that can be found at Dollarama (a pack of four for $3). These particular ones are recommended for their durability, comfort/size, and insulation in all weather conditions- so don't be afraid to use Sit Spots all year round!

A special thank you to Tanya for introducing me to Sit Spots and to Jocelyn for welcoming us into the forest to see them in action! 

I hope this post inspires you to use Sit Spots with your students this Fall! Don't forget to hashtag #inspirelearningoutside on Twitter and Instagram if you do!  

A Closer Look at Math in Full-Day Kindergarten

I had the opportunity to share my philosophy and program through a math lens during the Kindergarten Additional Qualification course that I co-facilitate with Joanne Babalis through York University. I appreciated the positive feedback from the participants and welcomed the idea to share some of my presentation with them, as they continue to reflect and inquire about their own math programs.

I strive to remain transparent in the sharing of my journey, and I am open to learning and making mistakes along the way. The following are just some ways in which I try to incorporate math into our constantly changing, emerging, and transforming classroom. I hope this post provides a spark of interest, curiosity, and reflection!

The Math Area 

The math area begins with simple and concrete materials to help students explore and investigate mathematics in meaningful ways. Knowing that each student comes with a knowledge of mathematics through real-life experiences, we allow for multiple entry points to meet them at their developmental level.

Math Materials 

As we introduce students to math materials through provocations or focused lessons, we add them to our math area, so that they can access the materials during thinking and learning time. We observe their interactions with the materials and change or move them as needed.

Math Provocations

We offer students various provocations (invitations to learn) throughout the year, which focus on specific mathematics strands, connect to a specific inquiry, or are based on the emerging interests of the students.

Whole-Group Lessons

During whole- group lessons, students explore mathematical problems that are connected to their lives. They are able to apply what they know and discover new strategies with their educators and peers.

Small-Group Lessons

Through mini lessons, we provide guided and explicit learning experiences for our students. They engage in the co-creation of success criteria, so they understand what they need to do in a given task, and they are able to show their learning in a variety of ways.

Math Games

We engage students in mathematics by playing games that teach early number concepts and strategies. By modelling, practicing, and eventually playing independently during math exploration time, we help to build confidence and foster positive attitudes towards mathematics.

Reflecting on Math

As much as students need time to explore mathematics, they also need time to reflect on the process. Our focus has been on asking effective questions such as “what worked well?” “how else might you try…?” and “why did you use…?” to give them the opportunity to explain and consolidate their learning.

Celebrating Math

Developing positive attitudes towards math will have a significant impact on students future success. We share and celebrate math by displaying artifacts, through the use of documentation panels or binders, and during class meetings and knowledge building circles.

Math is Everywhere

“Math can be seamlessly integrated into children’s ongoing play and activities. But this usually requires a knowledgeable adult who creates a supportive environment and provides challenges, suggestions, tasks, and language.”
(Capacity Building Series, 2011)

The Start of Something Truly Inspirational!

At the beginning of the month, I received an invite from a friend, mentor, and colleague Joanne, asking me to go on a blog date with her. Her intention was to celebrate Friendship Month by going on blog dates with her friends separately, and then all together at the end of the month to make time for each other and a common interest of blogging. My immediate response was that I would love to! February quickly passed us by and before we knew it, was coming to an end. This is when we made the decision to do a group date first instead of individual ones...a decision that would later prove to be the start of something truly inspirational!

Sitting around a cozy table at Starbucks in Indigo surrounded by three amazing educators; Jocelyn, Vanessa, and Joanne; each of which I have had the pleasure of connecting with throughout my five years with the school board, I couldn't help but smile. How lucky I was to be in the company of individuals that I admire and look to as sources of inspiration in my own career.

Jocelyn Schmidt has her Bachelor of Education in Primary/Junior divisions, her Intermediate Qualifications and Reading Specialist. She is currently teaching her fourth year of FDK and is excited to be a Learning@Schools Classroom for a second year. Jocelyn is excited to be teaching at a brand new school this year, Robert Munsch Public School, since it is also a unique  K-3 school in our board. She is passionate about the early years, play and learning through inquiry and is an innovative explorer of technology to promote 21st Century learners.

Jocelyn of Our Kindergarten Journey and I began our teaching careers in FDK four years ago, coming together over a collaborative math hub within the school board. I can remember, even then, being in awe every time she spoke. Having reconnected with her over the last year through classroom visits, social media, networks, and inquiry, I couldn't be more delighted to share in this exciting new adventure with her. Her ability to articulate her thinking, her sound knowledge of the program, her dedication to her learners and to her own professional development is utterly remarkable and something I strive to emulate in my own practice.

Vanessa Bianchi is an educator for the York Region District School Board, who is currently serving as a Grade 5 Homeroom Teacher. Through various leadership opportunities, workshops, conferences and collaborative efforts with colleagues, she has gained an interest in building positive and collaborative climates within the school environment. This collaboration allows for the design of intriguing spaces for students and teachers to learn, as well as construct curricular expectations around student-interest and passions, allowing for a dynamic educational experience.

I first connected with The Evolving Educator's Vanessa through social media. I was captivated by the fluidity of her writing and could feel her enthusiasm for education in every post. Soon after our connection, I had the pleasure of meeting her face-to-face and embraced her as if she was a long lost friend. I am fortunate that our paths have crossed at this time in my life, when I am seeking to be challenged in my teaching practice, as I feel that she is someone who can definitely push my thinking forward.

Joanne Marie Babalis is a Teacher-Librarian, Early Years/Inquiry Lead Teacher, PhD student, and Kindergarten Additional Qualification instructor at York University.  She is passionate about designing spaces that inspire inquiry-based learning and creative innovation for twenty-first century learners.  Her blog, "TransformEd: Transforming our Learning Environment into a Space of Possibilities" continues to reach educators throughout Canada and beyond. With each post, she hopes to make visible the power of inquiry, as well as the strong potential of all learners.

I officially met Joanne during an Open House Event she had hosted at her former school. Little did I know that through the sharing of her classroom transformation that evening, I would leave feeling inspired to transform, not only my classroom, but my entire teaching practice. Having had the opportunity to know Joanne at different capacities throughout my career, one thing that has always remained consistent is her humbling nature and her ability to make you believe that anything is possible. I admire her desire to share her own journey and her genuine love of learning, and I look forward to joining her on this pursuit of inspiration!

Trista Dutt (that's me!) has a degree in Early Childhood Education, as well as her Bachelor of Education in Primary/Junior divisions, Intermediate Qualifications and Kindergarten Specialist. She is currently in her fifth year of FDK at Moraine Hills Public School, where she is a K-2 Lead Teacher and Learning@Schools Classroom. She is passionate about the early years and enjoys exploring the world of play- and inquiry-based learning.

Our conversation, passion, and cute stationary that evening even drew in complete strangers who wanted to "be our friends." The energy at the end of a long work week was contagious and uplifting- we were recharged and ready to inspire! THIS was definitely something I wanted to be apart of- if not for the mere opportunity to be surrounded by likeminded individuals, than for the chance to step out of my comfort zone and allow myself to be challenged by educators who have shown me time and again the true meaning of what it is to be a lifelong learner.

A mosaic of creativity, learning, and dreaming.

#4EverInspired is a group of four educators and friends who have come together with a common desire to search for innovative experiences. Follow our stories as we collaborate and share our unique perspectives and personalities. We hope to take you on a colourful journey of art, inquiry, classroom design...and more!  

For our first post, we decided to spill our workbags and share their contents. I had mine filled with some Kate Spade goodies including my 2015 Day Planner, Pencil Case, Wallet, and MacBook Air Case. I also carried along my MacBook Air, Martha Stewart Notebook, Headband from M by Mendocino, and iPhone 6 Charger. I couldn't leave Indigo without making a purchase, and these Tenzi Dice just happened to match the Michael Kors handbag I was carrying all my goodies in!

The story continues...

...visit Jocelyn Schmidt to see what she spills on her post, Always Learning; Fourever Inspired

...visit Vanessa Bianchi to see what she spills on her post, Forever Inspired: A Collaboration

...visit Joanne Babalis to see what she spills on her post, 4Ever Friends

Be with those who help your being!

Reflectively Yours,

#4EverInspired xoxo

Animals in Winter: A Watercolour Provocation!

Over the last month, our students have been inquiring about animals in winter. We have been reading many fiction and non-fiction books, watching videos, and using our prior knowledge to help us investigate their wonders including, "how do birds fly to warmer places?" "how do bats sleep upside down?" and "why does rabbits fur turn white in winter?" As students ask questions and share their wonders, we as educators, create opportunities for them to explore through 

hands-on learning experiences. 

Our animals in winter watercolour provocation allows for both educators and students to slow down and appreciate the process of learning. Students spend long periods of time drawing, outlining, and painting their pictures, which gives educators the time to observe, document, and listen to the students ideas and theories. 

The following video captures the patience, focus, and attention to detail that one student demonstrates  during her time at the animals in winter watercolour provocation. 

"Every child is an artist."

-Picasso