1. Beginning our Reggio-
Inspired Journey
Brent Elementary ECE Team

2. An Overview
 A Brief History
 The Philosophy & Basic Principles
 Why It Makes Sense for Brent
 Responsive Classroom
 Similarities and Differences
 Our School Day
 FAQ, Q &A
 Resources

3. Reggio-Emilia: A History
After WWII, in 1945, the Italian Government gave each
town money to use however they saw fit to “restore
the community.”
The town of Villa Cella used theirs to build a school, “brick
by brick”: Scuola del Popolo.
Loris Malaguzzi
John Dewey
Jean Piaget
Howard Gardner
A combination of
theories used in a
new way
Lev Vygotsky
Lella Gandini

4. Reggio-Emilia: A History
• In 1991, the Reggio Approach gained an International
Spotlight as one of Newsweek’s “10 Best Schools in the
World”
• Quickly became widely recognized as the best early
childhood has to offer
• Educators around the world implement Reggio-Inspired
practice
• North American Reggio-Emilia Alliance, comprised of a
network of schools in America using a Reggio-Inspired
Approach

5. The Philosophy
The Hundred Languages of Children
The idea of multiple intelligences

6. The Philosophy
• “ The child is viewed as strong, powerful, rich in potential,
driven by the power of wanting to grow, and nurtured by
adults who take this drive towards growth seriously.”
• “The curriculum grows from the teachers, children and families
in those schools and from their cultural context. “
• “The environment should support the work and interest of the
children without constant adult guidance and intervention. The
children work in spaces, and while the adults are present, the
children build their stories there. The environment is set up
with provocation to fuel the children's worlds and minds. ”
Working in the Reggio Way.

7. The Basic Principles
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The Image of the Child
The 100 Languages of
Children
Collaboration
Project Approach
Documentation
Environment as
Third Teacher

8. Why It Makes Sense for Brent
Reggio’s Image of the
Child aligns with ECE
teams’ philosophy
Project Approach
Museum Program
“Green” Emphasis
Strong Family and
Community
Engagement
Responsive
Classroom

9. 9
Responsive Classroom
Guiding Principles
Social Curriculum
Whole-Child
Family Partnerships
Classroom Practices
Morning Meeting
Logical Consequences
Guided Discovery
Academic Choice
Responsive Curriculum
First 6 Weeks of School
The first six weeks of school are a very
special time, set aside to establish a
positive and connected learning
community.
Classroom Expectations
Daily Routines
Guided Discovery
Relationship & Community
Building

10. This Year Next Year
Behavior Management: Responsive Classroom Behavior Management: Responsive Classroom
Teaching Standards: 36 GOLD Learning Objectives Teaching Standards: 36 GOLD Learning Objectives
Curriculum: Long Term Plan created by teachers Curriculum: Emergent (based on student interest &
Yearly Intention)
Project Approach twice a year (Museum Night) Project Approach all year long
Family open-door policy Family open-door policy
Assessment: Formal GOLD & informal observations Assessment: Formal GOLD & more informal
observations (anecdotal notes, quotes)
Field Trips based on teacher chosen theme Field Trips based on student interest & projects
Learning made visible monthly in classroom
newsletters and bulletin boards
Learning made visible daily in documentation
panels
Art & Music: Once a week whole group specials Art & Music: Once a week whole group specials &
small group enrichment
 Increased use of natural & found materials
 Materials displayed in aesthetically pleasing way
 Emphasis on play planning & reflecting
Parent-Teacher Conferences 4 times a year Parent-Teacher Conferences 4 times a year

11. Brent’s Reggio-Inspired Program
Welcome (Warm-Up)
Morning Meeting
Special Classes
Outdoors
Planning Circle
Project & Centers
Work
Lunch
Rest Time
Outdoors
Project & Centers Work
Afternoon Meeting
Read Aloud

12. You Might be Wondering…
 Are there other Reggio-Inspired schools in DCPS?
Yes: School Within a School, Ludlow-Taylor, Miner, Takoma,
& Walker Jones.
 Why are we changing to the Reggio-Approach now?
Brent’s ECE staff and administration are eager to grow and learn as
teachers and are ready to take the program to the next level.
 What if my child is an advanced learner or has special needs?
All children come to school with their own strengths and interests, their own unique set of
experiences and ideas, their own theories about how the world works and an intense interest in
learning. The collaborative relationships between children, teachers, and parents enables success
for all students.
Will the academic rigor of Brent’s ECE program be changing with this new approach?
We will be keeping all academic components of our current program. We will be teaching the same
learning objectives to the same level, only getting their through projects instead of 15 minute mini-lessons.
Will students really be studying anything they want?
All students interests will be taken seriously. Common interests and theories that emerge from students will
transform into class projects. Teacher’s provocations and the school’s yearly intention will also work to guide
and inspire project ideas.

13. Resources
Books
Articles & Links
Coming soon to Brent’s Website