DOCUMENTATION
It is our goal to make legible the life of our school through careful observation, reflection and documentation of our experience together. The practice of daily reflection enables teachers to plan responsive curriculum that supports both group and individual development. Our documentation (i.e. panels, books, blogs, focus sheets and field notes) captures the essence of our program and pedagogical choices. It is not meant as the study of a particular child; rather, we view documentation as a tool for better understanding all children. Most importantly, documentation is a fundamental part of our dialogue with children, parents and other teachers.
As we record the unique stories of our daily lives we choose the lens of relationship to understand how we learn – relationships with ourselves, with each other and with the physical world. How do relationships begin? How do they evolve? How do they come to shape and change us? Ultimately, how do relationships impact the formation of humanity?
How do babies communicate?” is a question that the Baby Group asks back in February, but not until late May do the babies come over for a playdate. Each group meeting leading up to the playdate introduces at least one new element to the structure of the experiment, including safety and components of the physical environment as well as observation and recording tools. During one group meeting, the children carry a wooden platform and a ramp for gross motor play all the way from parking lot Level C and into Class Three.
Mom Do we go over here?
Colette Yes, to the quilt!
Theo Are these blocks available for the babies?
Jude Yes, Iwonka said yes.
Theo Nicole, when the babies wanna go up
that slide, maybe they might slip down
and hurt themselves and bonk
their heads.
Nicole Oh no, what do you think they should do?
Theo Maybe we should tell them to go over
here and sit down. And then they might
call their mom if they need help to go
down that slide.
Jude Or they could sit down here (on the slide
sideways) and slide down.
Theo Guys, watch this baby. See if she is gonna
go down the slide.
Anna What’s she gonna do?
