tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233983995495203290.post8088522901345815510..comments2024-01-04T07:11:14.467-05:00Comments on Atelierista: stories from a studio: The difference between centers and provocationsAnna Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020564718454754566noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233983995495203290.post-39119757425797316092015-09-28T10:31:25.133-04:002015-09-28T10:31:25.133-04:00This past school year I had a most wonderful topic...This past school year I had a most wonderful topic arise in my kindergarten class. Several of the boys loved a toy called Bey Blades which is a type of spinning top. In the late afternoon they would play with them. One day one of the boys made a giant spinning top from mega blocks. Soon many children were making and testing mega block tops. Legos were the next material that was tested by the children for the creation of spinning tops. It was then that I brought in a variety of materials for the children to test in terms of "spinnability". They had a lot of interest in exploring what would or would not spin. We made more spinning tops using pencils and plastic container lids as well as toothpicks and small plastic bottle caps. The exploration of spinning things especially the creation of Lego spinners went on for 5-6 weeks. The children became quite sophisticated in their designs. And though it started as an activity that boys were primarily involved in, it grew into an activity that both boys and girls were actively engaged in. It was a wonderful learning experience that melded physical science learning with art and creativity! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233983995495203290.post-64304449704533903672012-01-15T22:18:25.176-05:002012-01-15T22:18:25.176-05:00Thank you for this thought-provoking post. Here a...Thank you for this thought-provoking post. Here are some of my own musings in response to this idea - would love to continue this conversation!<br />http://artatthecenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/centers-and-provocations-response.htmlKathryn Conewayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03373790014438960410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233983995495203290.post-48670448307348394172012-01-07T22:52:23.957-05:002012-01-07T22:52:23.957-05:00This post is a wonderful resource, Thanks! I'l...This post is a wonderful resource, Thanks! I'll be sure to pass it on.Marla McLean, Atelieristahttp://atelier.schoolwithinschool.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233983995495203290.post-63507242751915900902012-01-03T11:54:36.920-05:002012-01-03T11:54:36.920-05:00Thank you so much for this thoughtful essay. In t...Thank you so much for this thoughtful essay. In the art education world some of us are making strong connections to exemplary early childhood practice to what we call teaching for artistic behavior/choice-based art ed. http://tinyurl.com/y8rtxfbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233983995495203290.post-13735394131266958042012-01-02T22:31:25.640-05:002012-01-02T22:31:25.640-05:00Thank you for this post, Anna. Sometimes it is ha...Thank you for this post, Anna. Sometimes it is hard to put these thoughts into words, and I agree with your description. Sometimes it is not so much about the things - so many classrooms look different - but it is really the intention behind the things that a teacher chooses to present that matters. <br /><br />Happy New Year!alliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06213589791060503501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6233983995495203290.post-20531503401995488912011-12-31T21:33:37.797-05:002011-12-31T21:33:37.797-05:00For me, centres are relatively fixed. We all have...For me, centres are relatively fixed. We all have a block corner, reading corner etc. And yes, there is 'provocation' within them. In Australia we use the term 'intentional teaching' in a similiar way to the concept of provocation. It is about really tuning in to an individual or group of children and observing their current interest and reflecting on how we can 'intentionally' provide opportunities, resources etc. to encourage them to progress in their thinking about their interest. As in recognizing their 'zone of proximal development' and 'scaffolding' their learning (Vygostsky).<br />Great post! :)KAREN GREENhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08773841233539637542noreply@blogger.com