Comments for In Dialogue

Comment on “Pitiless self-criticism” by susan

susan — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:22:39 +0000

So true. It takes a lot of concentration, frustration, determination and the moment of truth when you want to throw it all away but yet stay to get to the point where you continue because not continuing isn’t an option.

Comment on What Is Beauty? : NPR by Judi Pack

Judi Pack — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:08:57 +0000

I enjoyed it too–although I haven’t listened to all of it yet. However, I was struck by the piece on the universally “beautiful” painting. The one of mountains, water, trees, sky and a path. I thought about the many discussions I’ve had with early childhood educators concerning the way they “fill up” their EC environments. If I suggest “beautiful” things, they say that commercially made Disney cutouts are beautiful to them. They have walls filled with Frank Schaffer (sp.?) cutouts (“teaching” colors) and shelves cluttered with stuffed animals. If I ask about how that makes them feel, they say that these things are “cute.” So instead I show them slides of nature–strawberries, snow scenes, woods, flowers, sky, animals. They all agree that these things are beautiful. I compare the nature photographs to photographs of Frank Schaffer cutouts. I ask them how they feel after watching each set. Many of them are astonished by their own reactions. The nature slides make them feel good. The F. Shaffer leaves them cold. I bring in natural materials and ask them to touch them, to think about how children would react to them. I add other experiences to this exploration of “beauty” in the environment, but what I have taken away from this is that nature seems to be seen as universally beautiful (maybe it’s in our DNA?). And also we live in a culture that celebrates commercialism and cuteness (especially in EC). In a sense, we are deprived of simple beauty. I don’t know if this makes sense but it’s what I have been thinking about for a long time and will continue to explore. The NPR series is a good one.

Comment on The Power of Wendy by Jean

Jean — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:26:29 +0000

This is a powerful idea and image that I will carry with me today and beyond…both having the role of “Wendy” and Wendy herself, and the powerful photography exhibit. To be surrounded by messages that “you are not trusted”…photography and reflection is such a powerful language to convey this sense. Hmmm.

Comment on The Language of Hierarchy by anna golden

anna golden — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:36:28 +0000

What a coincidence that you would post this now.. I have been thinking so much about ‘line leaders’, and how that language creates hierarchy and competition.

Comment on Slowing down, a new definition by Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:40:47 +0000

An old video from Reggio Children, To Make A Portrait of a Lion, illustrates this notion of slowing down beautifully.

Comment on Slowing down, a new definition by Anna Golden

Anna Golden — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:47:55 +0000

I’m going to share this with the Teachers at Sabot. It is a good way to think of slowing down for people who are new to the concept and also for those who have been at it for a while. Thanks!

Comment on The Bizarre and Brilliant World of Knitted Science | DiscoverMagazine.com by Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 02:17:51 +0000

Humbling, I agree. And thinking about grade-school children in particular, what limited perception of the mathematical language they receive! I am sure the mobius scarves/ bottle hats are abstract to some, but to me, they are much more concrete and accessible than formulas and facts.

Comment on The Bizarre and Brilliant World of Knitted Science | DiscoverMagazine.com by brenda

brenda — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 02:07:30 +0000

Oh my goodness…I followed the link to the Klein bottle hat and now ,y brain hurts. It makes me think, am I using the language of numbers with my students? How am I incorporating/exposing them to higher mathematical concepts?

Comment on Is clay hard or soft? by SynapticNulship » Blog Archive » On the Concept of Shaping Thought with Language

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 02:55:07 +0000

[...] In Dialogue [...]

Comment on For the love of drawing by Margaret Pettett

Margaret Pettett — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 02:25:33 +0000

Thank you for your posts. I appreciate your experiences and wisdom as you reflect and grow from them.