The Art of Synergy - how to create a sense of community

THE ART OF SYNERGY

Modeling how to create community for our next generation

Children!  

Our greatest global resource

Hi, it's Enrique from the Global Learning Foundation and the Sam the Ant team.  It's always exciting to share an idea and some strategies with you every month.  There are so many great ideas on this collaborative blog.  A simple one that I loved was Scott from Brick by Brick with his blog this past September titled Drawing on Mirrors.  I love how fundamental this particular strategy is because it allows the teacher/guide to create all sorts of learning opportunities.  It's open ended and that leads to questions, which can lead to inspiration, which leads to striving...

which leads to synergy!

What is synergy?

What does synergy look like?

Learning Guide and Learners co-discovering with young learners
being treated like co-creators, co-researchers and co-scientists.

John Coltrane and Miles Davis creating musical synergy in 1958

Synergy can be achieved in any moment and once
achieved it can be built upon, studied, practiced and elevated.

Synergy is not just any one moment, but a set of ongoing
moments which can culminate in the creation of something
physical, as is the case with this garden.

Synergy can built within families and friends.  The creation
of synergy in community is of critical importance to our
planet. This set of family and friends are in the UK.

The building of synergy can include modeling of ideas and it is important to also include opportunities for the learner to express their own desires and perspectives, as can be seen with the different levels of complexity of drawings, some by the adult, some by the young learner and some by both!

Synergy is like collaboration, but much more alive, open ended and has more energy associated with it because it involves multiple individuals or organizations not just working together, but openly exploring together.  For synergy to take place, it takes individuals and/or organizations which are truly open to creating ideas, which otherwise, would not have been possible.

Synergy can impact the effectiveness and productivity in any setting, and the setting itself can impact how comfortable we are to synergize, including the following.  We can take the time to set up any environment that fosters synergy and the settings which follow are excellent examples.

Early Childhood Classrooms

An early childhood classroom that uses both Reggio and Montessori inspired materials as provocations for the young learners who call this one of their homes.

You can learn more about the above classroom here.

Open up: Fuji Kindergarten by Tezuka Architects features an outdoor play area on its roof. | PHOTOGRAPHER: KATSUHISA KIDA/FOTOTECA; CREATIVE DIRECTOR KASHIWA SATO; LIGHTING DESIGNER: MASAHIDE KAKUDATE/MASAHIDE KAKUDATE LIGHTING ARCHITECT & ASSOCIATES,INC.

Fuji Kindergarten                                                                       (Yes, the top of this school is the roof, and yes, children are able to explore, run and interact with their surroundings)

The above kindergarten is a very effective example of a physical structure which not only invites synergy, but also ignites it! When first meeting Takaharu and Yui, the husband-and-wife team who created Fuji Kindergarten, you are immediately drawn to their playful spirit. “Our architecture is about family — everything we learn, everything we do about architecture starts with our family,” says Takaharu. The Tezukas have two young children. The architects’ motto is: “If you don’t know happiness, how can you provide it to others?” Located in Tachikawa, western Tokyo, the 750-student, three-year preschool built in 2007 is a one-story structure in the shape of a donut. The entire school feels like a playground, from the open-air central courtyard to the building’s wide circular roof. Even the interior classroom areas follow an open-school plan where partitions separate sections and all furniture is moveable. Takaharu says the goal is for “these children to be stronger and more flexible.” The idea of non-linear structures is not new, yet not used as often as they should be used.  There are plenty of linear moments in our lives as human beings.  Non-linear visual stimuli and experiences ignite a different part of our brain. The part which is connected to creativity and innovation.

K - 12 Classrooms

A Waldorf school in Seattle.  This is a physical example of synergy!

Una de las clases de la escuela infantil waldorf de Belloterra, Spain.  A classroom from an early childhood classroom in Belloterra, Spain.

For more information on this classroom, click here.

It took children’s book illustrator Maira Kalman an entire year to track down the flea-market treasures that she transformed into the alphabet at the John Randolph School, P.S. 47 in the Bronx. The stimulating space is divided into colorful reading, research, and study areas with floor graphics, mobile shelving, and easily positioned tables and chairs, including Pierre Paulin’s “Orange Slice” chair, peeking out in the background. Photo ©Peter Mauss/Esto.  

Artist rendering of open kitchen and co-located teaching kitchen for upper and
lower elementary schools, Dillwyn, Virginia

Click here for more information on this idea. 

Anne Frank Inspire Academy Middle School in San Antonio, Texas

A signature Wall composed of cross sections of local wood contains

a storage area with whiteboard doors for brainstorming sessions

Blended Rehab of a space! American International School of Utah is a great example of rehabilitated retail space. Early grades use a Montessori approach. Intermediate grades are student-centered similar to another school worth visiting — Acton Academy. The high school has big blended blocks that use a mixture of learning spaces that allow for student choice and encourage ownership. The music and drama program are exceptional (featured here).

Green School in Bali combines a rigorous K-12 core curriculum with hands-on experiential learning within a Green Studies curriculum and a Creative Arts curriculum.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF BRUSSELS HIGH SCHOOL

Brussels, Belgium The International School of Brussels is an English-language international school that provides an international education to over 1500 students aged 2 ½ to 19 from 62 countries. The 40-acre secure campus lies in the Brussels commune of Watermael-Boitsfort.  As with the above examples, the physical structure is more open than most high schools, with more natural light and which impacts our minds in ways which can lead to more creative thought.  Creativity is the seeding ground for synergy.

Higher Education settings

Innovation is about to get easier, faster and more accessible at the University of Central Florida with the grand opening of four new labs known as Maker Spaces.  The above two images are examples of the creative use of space, color and light, which can all impact how quickly learners engage in synergistic activities.

Corporate settings

Google Office Spaces are designed for ignition of creativity. Synergy can become an expected part of daily activities!

BBC North Offices in England are designed with circular structures within a more traditional structure.  The color green has been shown by research as a color which invites 

both relaxation and creativity.

There are three areas, once experienced authentically over time, which lead to synergy. Inviting others to this process in an invitational way typically leads to a stronger sense of caring, community and increases the potential for synergy to arise.

THE ART OF THE QUESTION

• What kinds of questions do you tend to ask others?
• What kinds of questions do you tend to ask yourself?
• When someone asks you a questions, do you sometimes respond with a question that leads to even more conversation and thought?

As adults, we tend to ask questions for which we are hoping to hear a certain answer. This limits the response and when working with young children, we want to expand the possible responses. We all want our children to feel free and strong enough to answer authentically... and explore just as freely!

THE ART OF INSPIRATION

When we think of inspiration, we sometimes think of what inspires us. Other times we think about what inspires others. I'd like you to think about:

• What inspires others to be inspired?
• What inspires others to inspire others?

When we take the time to observe how children interact with other children, adults and even animals, we will see some wonderful examples of this. We'll also see attempts that are unsuccessful, yet in the attempt there is the "learning how to inspire and be inspired" which can most certainly take place, depending on how we, as the adult guide, position their attempt.

THE ART OF STRIVING

Paralympic Games in London

When many think of striving, we think of working hard and certainly work ethic is a key variable. I'd like you to ask yourself the following questions related to your work with children and your own circle of friends and colleagues:

• When you feel happy, what is it that prompts that feeling of happiness?
• When you achieve a goal, what is it that prompts that feeling of achievement?
• When you feel negative in some way, what is it that prompts that feeling?
• When you miss a goal, do you always feel a sense of disappointment?  Why or why not?
• What percentage of people in your life actively support your projects and your general approach to life?

From my own experience and the many years of experience in synergizing with children and colleagues, the Art of Striving is all about finding what feeds our energy tank.  When we connect to the things and people that give back positive energy, it creates a win-win scenario. This typically feels like I am going with the current of a river.... I feel like I'm going downstream, with the flow, living in the moment.... and THAT.... feels absolutely liberating. I encourage you to take some time to think about that and talk about this with your friends and colleagues.

And now a gift for all of you that will help you and your children explore The Art of the Question, The Art of Inspiration and The Art of Synergy all in the form of a children's book...for free!  Click on FREE Sam the Ant ebook and enjoy this story which embodies everything in this blog.

An example from a page of Sam the Ant - The Flood (Book 1)

Cheers!

Enrique

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Public Speaker

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Founder, Global Learning Foundation

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Co-Creator, Sam the Ant Children's Books

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Producer, Kaleidoscope, 

a new Children's Music Album

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Farm Fun in Pre-K

Hi! I'm Ayn and I am a Ga. Pre-K teacher, serving 4 and 5 year olds in an inclusive setting. I share my classroom adventures on my blog, little illuminations.

We recently learned about farms and farm life in Pre-K. We had a lot of hands on fun and even had some special visitors from the farm!

One of the kids in my class has pet chickens, so his family brought a couple for us to meet. We learned about how they eat, and all about their eggs. 

We talked about cows and made some fresh butter. It is so easy and incredibly delicious! Usually most of the kids hesitate to try it at first, but after they do, they can't get enough!

I added this little sensory bin filled with timothy hay, toy farm animals and a barn made from a tissue box and silo from a paper towel roll. 

I found this rhyme a couple of years ago online and made an anchor chart to practice rhyming and onsets of farm vocabulary.

We also made lists of animals, plants, people, vehicles/equipment and other things found on the farm. As we read about farm life the children offered suggestions of items to add to the lists. I don't have a picture of the final chart, but after we finished most of the lists, we made a cute chart to hang in writing with all of the suggestions. 

In our art center, I made a couple of paper plate farm animals and left some plates and paper bags, feathers and paper shapes as an invitation to create some animals.

We used puppets to retell some of our favorite farm books and songs. Mrs. Wishy Washy by Joy Cowley and Old McDonald were definite favorites!

Here is a few pictures of some changes to our dramatic play area I have done in the past, featured in my post here called "Setting The Scene For Dramatic Play".

I also added these pool noodle horses to our centers for play. I posted them here in the post "Pool Noodle Ponies: DIY Hobby Horses".

My friend Laura Balma Eldredge has a great post called "Down On The Farm In Preschool" with more great ideas for farm fun! Be sure to check it out!

We usually go to the farm when studying this unit but due to some other things going on, we had to postpone our visit until the spring. If you'd like to read more about some of our farm visits, check out these posts:

                "Summer Days At Valley Hill Farm"
               "10 (More) Summer Stay-cations on a Budget"

and more of our classroom farm activities:

                 "Mrs. Ayn's Pre-K Had A Farm! E-I-E-I-O!"



 Stop by and visit me anytime at littleilluminations.blogspot.com or visit the little illuminations fanpage on facebook! And be sure to check out PreK+K Sharing EEE!

Squirrels!

Hi! It's Carolyn from Kindergarten: Holding Hands and Sticking Together.  I've seen so many squirrels around these last few weeks. I found some awesome squirrel freebies on TpT and thought it would be fun to share them with you in this post.



First of all, Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt, is a great book that the children love.

Here's a little bit about the book:
Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. It's way too dangerous out there. He could encounter tarantulas, green Martians or killer bees. But in his tree, every day is the same and if danger comes along, he's well-prepared. Scaredy Squirrel's emergency kit includes antibacterial soap, Band-Aids and a parachute.

Day after day he watches and waits, and waits and watches, until one day ... his worst nightmare comes true! Scaredy suddenly finds himself out of his tree, where germs, poison ivy and sharks lurk. 

But as Scaredy Squirrel leaps into the unknown, he discovers something really uplifting ...

I always use Scaredy Squirrel as a Writer's Workshop reminder for the children to know that trying something new (like writing words and stories and drawing illustrations) can seem scary, but when you try new things, good things happen!  We talk a lot about being brave writers, so this fits in beautifully.

I LOVE this Scaredy Squirrel I Have Who Has Letter Game from Barb Gaither. Oh yes, this is fun!  Great letter recognition practice!

A Special Kind of Class has these adorable Squirrel Counting Numbers. This is a fun math center and would be fun with real acorns, too!

I love Kinder Kay's Fall Squirrel I Can Draw I Can Write Fun Pack. What a great afternoon this would be learning to draw squirrels- and so great for details and writer's workshop!

 

 This Fall Scavenger Hunt from Julie Barello will be so much fun for a beautiful fall afternoon!



A variety bag of nuts is great for so many activities for children.  Children use their fine motor skills when they use tongs to move nuts to different containers as they sort them or make patterns with them.  And the children just love studying the different types of nuts- feeling the different textures or examining them with a magnifying glass.  This makes a perfect, easy science center.

I have had terrible luck finding acorns this fall. (Must be the squirrels got them first!)  But I am still looking and thought this idea from Play to Write was adorable.  I even have a little container all set to go (AKA an old Lysol wipe container) that I have turned into a little tree to store the acorns!   





 



On a delicious note, aren't these so cute? These are from Life Inside the Page.

I made these (below) one year to decorate the top of a cake, and they turned out really cute. (SO- you know they are easy!) This picture is from Bargain Hoot. I think I like the look of the nutter-butter top.

(God made these- they are real! haha- just comparing the tops cause I am like that.)

As I was looking for that  picture, I found this from Party Pinching! OH my goodness! I don't think I could even eat him, he is so doggone cute.

If there are no nut allergies in your classroom, making peanut butter is lots of fun for the children.  Children sometimes don't realize that peanut butter comes right from... peanuts!  Have the class shell about  3 cups of peanuts.  Cover tables with newspaper or a plastic table cloth for easier clean up.  Shelling peanuts is fun- and good for developing those little fine motor muscles.

After the peanuts are shelled, put about half the nuts into a food processor with about 3 tsp peanut oil or vegetable oil. You may want to add about 1/4 tsp of salt for taste.  

Process peanuts until they are smooth.   Empty the peanut butter into a bowl, and continue with the second batch of peanuts.   

This picture is from Sally's Baking Addiction. 

Give each student a few crackers, a plastic knife, and a spoonful of peanut butter on a plate.  Teaching children to spread the peanut butter on a cracker is a skill in itself!  It's also a great time to remind children never to put a knife in their mouths because they are sharp, even plastic knives.  

Have a wonderful day! I hope you found some fun squirrel or nut activities to use in your classroom!

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything

   

Click on ORANGE links to hear/see songs

I LOVE this time of year when I get to break open my OCTOBER BOX!  I get more excited than the children as I anticipate singing about "Dark, Dark" and the spiders that jump out of the box  ~ ~

    

Leading to "There's a Spider on the floor"    

And the "Five Little Pumpkins Sitting on the Gate"
      Yup!  This is from Pinterest.  LOVE IT!



The one everyone tells me is their favorite is ~ ~
"The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything".   With all the props and ideas, it is so much fun. Some use flannel boards; others use white boards.  I often see my song version being used and posted on YouTube and my heart fills with joy each time!  Thank you.  Please keep sharing.

Here is my activity with the corresponding reasons.
1.   One child holds the book.  (Learn to pay attention to turn pages.)
2.  Assign each child for each prop and sound.  (Listening skills; waiting turns)
     a.  Two little shoes and the child stomps them and says "Stomp.  Stomp."
     b.  A pair of doll pants and the child wiggless saying "Wiggle.  Wiggle" (high voice to
          energize the brain.)
     c.  Doll shirt and child shakes it saying "Shake. Shake."
     d.  Two cut out hands, clapped together as child says                 "Clap. Clap"
     e.  Small hat that a child nods up and down saying
          "Nod. Nod."
     f.  Teacher holds a tiny, plastic pumpkin.  I found one               where the head pops up and squeaks.  (They love it.)  And, the teacher says "Boo!"

3.  While each verse is being sung, the rest of the class taps their alternating hands on each thigh, to sound like walking.  (This helps for steady beat = reading proficiency)

Each time, the beat gets faster.

4.  At lyric prompts, children put their hand to their ear and turn their heads.

5.  Children point at group of children holding props and say "Go away!"

6.  They fold their arms and say defiantly "I'm not afraid of you today!"  They LOVE it!

7.  Children move their hands on their thighs VERY quickly - because they're running!

     They pretend to jump in bed and cover their eyes.  Then, they peek.

8.  Meanwhile, you are assembling the pieces to make the scarecrow to show at the end

     of the song.

Here's the video :   

                             The Little Old Lady You Tube - Music with Mar.

Tell me what you do!!
Maryann Harman - Music with Mar. on Facebook
Brain Facts on Facebook 
Songs can be found on :           The Wide-mouthed Bullfrog

And at Songs for Teaching, CD Baby, iTunes

    And ~ ~ Spotify!