Why Found Materials Belong in Early Childhood Classrooms
Presenters
- Robin Koo, Teaching Beyond the Square
- Wendy Gelsanliter, Teaching Beyond the Square
Session / Time
- Breakout Session II
- Thursday, April 26, 1:15 - 2:30 p.m.
- Glenwood Room
Description
“The materials we choose to bring into the space of our classrooms reveal the choices we have made about knowledge and what we think it is important to know. How children are invited to use the materials indicates the role they shall have in their own learning. Materials are the texts of early childhood classrooms.” -Harriet K. Cuffaro
In this workshop, we will explore how objects that would normally have been discarded can promote complex play and creativity, language development and fluency, the ability to problem solve and build confidence in young children. These objects, which we refer to as ‘found materials’, are open-ended and have the potential to support each and every child, regardless of prior experience, verbal language, and motor skills. They can become vehicles for children’s ideas and the questions they have about their world.
Goals / Content / Intentionality
Our goal is to help participants walk away with an understanding of the value of found materials in children’s learning experiences. Participants will gain strategies and ideas of how materials can be incorporated in classroom environments and learn more about The Materials Center, a public resource located in the lower east side of Manhattan. Robin and Wendy will facilitate a hands-on experience with materials, and share a presentation with examples from various classrooms and school communities.
Presenter Bios
Robin Koo, Teaching Beyond the Square
Robin Koo, Teaching Beyond the Square
Robin Koo is the Program Director of Teaching Beyond the Square, an innovative non-profit founded by Beginnings Nursery School, dedicated to exploration-based education. She developed the non-profit's programs and services to include bi-monthy Symposiums, an educational stipend, a Materials Center, a parent workshop series, and consultation work for schools interested in moving towards an exploration-based approach. The non-profit hosted the Wonder of Learning exhibit from Reggio Emilia, Italy, from January through May in 2015, in Brooklyn, NY. Robin was on the Steering Committee and was Chair of the Atelier Committee, which created the Natural Materials and Light & Shadow Ateliers to accompany the exhibit. Since the exhibit's presence in NYC, Robin has been collaborating with the NYC DOE Division of Early Childhood Education, and working closely with a variety of public and private early childhood school communities. She began her teaching career at Beginnings in 2001, first as a classroom teacher and then as the Studio Teacher starting in 2006, and in 2007, she helped establish the Materials Center at Beginnings, which she continues to coordinate and develop. Robin lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and two children. She received her M.A. in Art & Art Education from Teachers College, and her B.A. in Visual Art & Art History from Bowdoin College.
Wendy Gelsanliter, Teaching Beyond the Square
Wendy Gelsanliter, Teaching Beyond the Square
Wendy Gelsanliter has over thirty years of experience working with young children. Currently, she is teaching a 2's Parent/Caregiver class at the Blue School, in addition to her work with Teaching Beyond the Square. Wendy’s most recent administrative positions include Associate Director of Jewish Community Project’s Early Childhood Center, Director of the Park Slope Child Care Collective and Assistant Director of Beginnings Nursery School in Manhattan. Wendy has 19 years experience teaching young children, from eighteen month olds through third grade. Music is another passion of Wendy’s. As a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, she has produced three CDs for children and their families. Wendy’s connection to the Materials Center at the Manny Cantor Center and to her work with the nonprofit, Teaching Beyond the Square, enriches her interactions with children. Wendy holds her BA in English from Hamilton College and a M.S. from Bank Street College of Education.
