s/o any "there there" in the classroom - Reggio ECE

[Anonymous]

So, my kid is in PK this year in a DCPS Reggio program (at a highly desirable Capitol Hill school). Last year we were totally happy w/the teacher (for PK3) and the classroom learning. This year, not so much. It really doesn't seem like the kids do ANY structured learning (other than "specials" with a non home-room teacher). According to DC, other than recess and the specials class, they do three sessions of "choice time" where the kids pick their play stations around the room and play/draw, whatever, on their own. A far cry from last year when my kid would come home talking about "cumulous (vs. other) types of clouds," "pupae and butterflies," etc., that DC learned in the different "units."

The other day DC told me "octopuses have beaks!" And, I got excited - wow - perhaps the kids have actually learned something in class!

But, no. Turns out DC learned the fact from a Wild Krats video . . .

Just not really down with this so-called "play-based curriculum." Seems like an excuse to do no lesson planning/structured learning whatsoever.

[Anonymous]

It's not the curriculum, it's the teacher. Last year...good...this year bad.

Just like with any other type of programming.

[Anonymous]

Agree that not all classrooms are equal. Curious which highly regarded CH school this is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, my kid is in PK this year in a DCPS Reggio program (at a highly desirable Capitol Hill school). Last year we were totally happy w/the teacher (for PK3) and the classroom learning. This year, not so much. It really doesn't seem like the kids do ANY structured learning (other than "specials" with a non home-room teacher). According to DC, other than recess and the specials class, they do three sessions of "choice time" where the kids pick their play stations around the room and play/draw, whatever, on their own. A far cry from last year when my kid would come home talking about "cumulous (vs. other) types of clouds," "pupae and butterflies," etc., that DC learned in the different "units."

The other day DC told me "octopuses have beaks!" And, I got excited - wow - perhaps the kids have actually learned something in class!

But, no. Turns out DC learned the fact from a Wild Krats video . . .

Just not really down with this so-called "play-based curriculum." Seems like an excuse to do no lesson planning/structured learning whatsoever.

Reggio is not for everyone, but we are in another Reggio PreK and it is excellent bc the teachers work very hard. Would not change for a minute. You have plenty of test prep and structure ahead, if you stay in DCPS. Enjoy the beauty of Reggio now!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree that not all classrooms are equal. Curious which highly regarded CH school this is?

If it is SWS, OP is not going to be happy next year since the kids stay with the same teacher for PK4 and K.

[Anonymous]

OP, are you at the same school as last year?

[Anonymous]

If it's a highly regarded Reggio school on the Hill, must be SWS. OP, did you try to lottery to another school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it's a highly regarded Reggio school on the Hill, must be SWS. OP, did you try to lottery to another school?

OP here - nope, not SWS. Perhaps I should have said "reggio-inspired"? Did not try to lottery out - kid is happy enough and I am assuming/hoping K will be better. Just disappointed that this year has turned out to be treading water - at best. Last year I just really enjoyed all the interesting nuggets of information learned in class that kid would proudly proclaim. This year - zip. Teacher is very nice though! Just doesn't seem to actually teach anything.

I had actually been warned that PK in general was kind of a holding pattern year (kids are already used to school from PS-3 and know expected social skills, but no exposure yet to K-type demands). But it is worse than that - not even as good as PS!

[Anonymous]

I think the only other Reggionprogram on the Hill is Ludlow-Taylor. Is it your IB? Can you move elsewhere next year?

[Anonymous]

What is 'there there'? I'm missing something.

[Anonymous]

There are different types of learning right? There's memorization, and there's thought-process. Many things can be learned through the right type of "play" than "nuggets of fact" - which as you've pointed out, can be learned from a TV show.

It might be worth taking up your questions with the child's teacher. The may be able to speak to the theory behind the program.

[Anonymous]

Brent ECE is also Reggio-inspired now

[Anonymous]

As is Miner, although only Brent probably qualifies as "highly desirable"

[Anonymous]

Not bagging on Miner, just observation on popularity

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is 'there there'? I'm missing something.

+1. We are in a private Reggio and I've never heard this phrase.