Reggio Emilia: Bringing Philosophy and Practice into America’s Public Schools
Presenter
Lorella Conte-Lamonaca, Scarsdale Public Schools
Session / Time
- Breakout Session II
- Friday, April 27, 1:15 - 2:30 p.m.
- Bedford Room
Description
I will give an overview of the theoretical influences of the Reggio philosophy and the developmentally appropriate early childhood practices, as well as its historical origins. Participants will learn about classroom systems that promote reflective and inquiry-based learning throughout the school year. These systems are designed to highlight emergent curriculum development, taking a closer look at practices such as observing children in open-ended play and documenting their work and ideas following a systematic cycle of inquiry. Participants will take part in a hands-on activity, exploring open-ended materials and documenting the process.
Reggio Emilia uses the phrase "Hundred Languages of Children" as a metaphor for the teaching, learning and expressive use of materials that occur within their schools. The Idea that materials have the ability to take on expressive aspects and meaning comparable to verbal language is foundational to the pedagogy of Reggio Emilia. Because play is made better by possibilities, in manipulating open-ended materials (pipe cleaners) children can solve problems and think creatively and flexibly.
Goals / Content / Intentionality
My hope is that educators will learn the importance of play in the classroom and realize that learning can be joyful.
Participants will experience examples of art provocations in a hands-on attempt to bring theory and practice.
Presenter Bio
Lorella Conte-Lamonaca, Scarsdale Public Schools
Lorella Lamonaca, a teacher in project-based learning and the Reggio Emilia approach from the Scarsdale public schools in New York. She holds and M.A. in Educational Leadership. In addition to being a classroom teacher for the past 30 years, she is an educational consultant in the New York metropolitan area and has presented at conferences both nationally and internationally. She has co-facilitated a Reggio Emilia study group in the Scarsdale public schools for the last twelve years. The study group meets monthly and includes K-12 teachers, administrators and parents exploring best practices with research -based methods in experiential and project based learning. Most recently led a weeklong study group to Reggio Emilia Italy. Coordinated an International conference on Creative Connections: Building community through a Reggio Inspired Approach, facilitated week long staff development class in the Madrid, Spain on experiential learning in the ELL classroom, and presented in Finland on Incorporating Digital Literacy in the early childhood classroom.
