How the Environment Inspires Curriculum by Wendy Ruiz https://padlet.com/wendy_ruiz1/6h0omy3x3fi Made with magic en-us 2019-01-13 04:20:03 UTC 2019-03-14 21:23:28 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Hotsun.png Rosa Lima https://padlet.com/wendy_ruiz1/6h0omy3x3fi/wish/340112667 Favorite Quote: It is amazing how powerful simple changes can become in a cumulative fashion, made one at a time. For example, one of the most important steps I have seen schools make is de-cluttering their spaces.

This is my favorite quote because I believe that overstimulation, too many choices and clutter can create internal chaos for some children (and adults). I believe a "clean" environment is important. "Clutter communicates something to children."

We recently made a few changes in our environment. I think that simple changes are more impactful than huge "make-over" type of changes. We brought in an easel and took out a table. This opened up our environment and allowed us to  provide an activity that the children enjoy!

I believe that every environment is different depending on the dynamic within your classroom. You could setup two classrooms exactly the same, one might be accepted by the children and one might not. It all depends on the children, their needs and their temperaments. Within our environment, subtle change is constant. 

What is the purpose....I love this question. This is what I will use to help us continue to focus on what our children enjoy, "must have" or could do without.

 ]]> 2019-03-11 18:28:07 UTC https://padlet.com/wendy_ruiz1/6h0omy3x3fi/wish/340112667 Elayne Woods elayne_woods https://padlet.com/wendy_ruiz1/6h0omy3x3fi/wish/340562004  Favorite Quote: "In order to achieve this balance of engagement, the
environment is critical to offer opportunities to think, construct and create for children." I love this quote because it is a reminder that our environment should have a variety of materials and spaces of exploration for children to engage in :)

2. How has the article inspired you and what ideas will you use it to inspire your environment?
This article has inspired me to try and incorporate at least one additional space in my classroom :) I want to create a texture exploration area. I think my babies would really enjoy this!

3. What is the first thing that you would like to modify in your environment to go in line with what the article is about?

The first thing I want to work on is organizing my classroom better and defining the space and materials. I have a small classroom but i think i may be able to include some things on the walls and reorganize furniture to create a different feel.

]]> 2019-03-12 18:05:05 UTC https://padlet.com/wendy_ruiz1/6h0omy3x3fi/wish/340562004 Haylee Johnson https://padlet.com/wendy_ruiz1/6h0omy3x3fi/wish/341116511 1. Favorite Quote: "This concept of the environment as a participant in the educational experience opens up the possibility for students to engage the environment with their peers and respond to thoughtful
decisions made by the educators in an effort to support student engagement."
This is my favorite quote because I believe the environment should foster children's creativity and reflect classroom values.
2. Inspiration:
This article has inspired me to create a map of the environment of our classroom. I think this is an excellent way to start a discussion with colleagues about what is beneficial in our environment and what needs improvement. Our location has four facilitators and a director and together I know we can provide an environment that allows affective learning opportunities for our little iLEADers.
3. Modification:
After reading this article I will try looking at my environment with “fresh eyes and a questioning stance” so I can continue to engage the learners in a plethora of ways. I agree that small changes make a huge impact because I have seen it firsthand. With that being said, what works one day may not work the next so it is important to consider all learners when considering our shared space.

]]> 2019-03-13 23:27:23 UTC https://padlet.com/wendy_ruiz1/6h0omy3x3fi/wish/341116511 Dani Hughson https://padlet.com/wendy_ruiz1/6h0omy3x3fi/wish/341529674 1. My favorite quote is, “part of the work for us educators is creating a space that supports the interaction and engagement with the children on their own terms and at times without adult mediation.” Because it’s important for us to think outside the box when creating an environment and also put into play the idea of the children engaging amoungst themselves without constantly having adult interaction. 
2. This article was fantastic. It made me realize how much I need to de clutter and analyze my space. 
3. As I stated before, the first thing this article has inspired me to do is de clutter, but secondly to also think of ways to introduce play to the children into the environment in ways that need minimal adult mediation. 

]]> 2019-03-14 20:21:01 UTC https://padlet.com/wendy_ruiz1/6h0omy3x3fi/wish/341529674 Environment jennifer_taibi https://padlet.com/wendy_ruiz1/6h0omy3x3fi/wish/341546460
1.Favorite quote and why

“In order to achieve this balance of engagement, the environment is critical to offer opportunities to think, construct and create for children”

2. How has the article inspired you and what ideas will you use to inspire your environment?

Inspired me: “So, while the blocks may have an area in the classroom, that is not to say that the birthday party that began in the house play area cannot migrate to play out within the construction section. We want to offer the children fluidity of definition and this takes a critical and attentive eye to the flushing out of the environment.”

Ideas: “de-cluttering their spaces, which can be full of unintentional knick-knacks”

3. What is the first thing that you would like to modify in your environment to go in line with what the article is about?

De-clutter. Also, just an example, I would like more defined spaces-in the block area there is no sectioned off corner for the child to build and when there is running in the classroom or an active friend, there is no shelf protecting the blocks and they get knocked over often. Or the quiet book area is so open that it it doesn’t give a friend a quiet cozy area to be alone- it’s so open that my busy friends come to my friends who are trying to stay quiet. 

4. Reply to one other facilitators/directors response

Replying to Dani 


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