February 2010

Central Texas History Fair

Submitted by Robin Brandenburg on Mon, 02/22/2010 - 14:10
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I recently had the pleasure of volunteering at the Central Texas History Fair at the Austin, Texas LBJ Library and Museum. With the theme “Innovation in History: Impact and Change” students were encouraged to keep history and innovation in mind while doing their research. During the orientation for volunteers, I thought to myself how fortunate I was to have been assigned the role of a monitor instead of a judge.

Videatives - NAREA Conference

Submitted by Robin Brandenburg on Tue, 02/09/2010 - 21:26
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The night before the conference I spent a couple of hours reviewing descriptions of the NAREA lunchtime presentations. There were nine topics to choose from and I painstakingly narrowed my selection down to five. As groups were assembling for the lunchtime presentations, I found myself forced to make a decision.
The session I chose was about using rich video clips as documentation to better understand teaching and learning. As practiced in Reggio Emilia, and eloquently described by Project Zero, “documentation makes the ‘how’ as well as the ‘what’ of learning visible.”

Presentation by Lella Gandini & Amelia Gambetti – NAREA Conference

Submitted by Robin Brandenburg on Tue, 02/09/2010 - 20:51
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These two amazing educators, Lella Gandini and Amelia Gambetti, didn’t need an introduction. Conference participants literally held their breath not wanting to miss a word! Gambetti began by stating that her main goal has been to “create bridges to put together different experiences.” She referenced the Model Early Learning Center (MELC).

Opening Remarks – NAREA Conference

Submitted by Robin Brandenburg on Tue, 02/09/2010 - 19:39
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The NAREA conference kicked off with Co-Chairs, Margie Cooper & Jennifer Strange welcoming educators. They announced that the next study group to Reggio, Italy will be May 1st-May 8th. Since 1990, Angela Ferrario has been organizing study groups to Reggio Emilia and has worked with Reggio Children as the U.S. Liaison since 1994, when the organization was established. Angela is a U.S. reference point for the Reggio Children International Network and a founding board member of the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA).

NAREA Reception

Submitted by Robin Brandenburg on Sat, 02/06/2010 - 00:11
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In the spirit of uniting educators and advocates who are passionate about inspiring changes in early childhood programs, the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA) board hosted a reception at the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln, MA. Amelia Gambetti, educator, Reggio Children International Network Coordinator and Liaison for Consultancy to Schools, and Lella Gandini, Ed.D, Reggio Children U.S.