Projects as Verbs Ft. Heather Jackson
Heather Jackson
Meet our guest
Our interview with Heather Jackson was inspiring and eye-opening, to say the least! She brings a new way of thinking about project-based, Reggio -inspired learning that is refreshing and accessible for all educators that are interested.
Heather is an Early childhood educator in Orangeville, Ontario Canada. She has been an early childhood educator for 40 years. Heather owns and operates the Sunflower School in Orangeville Ontario for the past 11 years. The Sunflower School provides early childhood education to 300 children and employs over 40 early childhood educators. She has worked as a Director in the non-profit sector of education for over 30 years. Being with the families, children and her educators is Heather’s passion and drives her work. Her work involves mentoring many educators across this province in the Reggio-inspired practice including my own Sunflower Educators. The Sunflower School is managed by an all-female team which includes Heather’s two daughters and sister. She finds it amazing to work with my family as our work is honest and driven.
Heather also provides training on project work in the Reggio inspired Practice, loose parts, documentation, 100 languages of children, and how to build a project with young children. She is also the proud grandmother to three amazing girls who are fierce and confident.
Follow Heather and The Sunflower School on Instagram @thesunflower_studio, @thesunflowerschool
If you’d like to learn more about her schools, go to www.thesunflowerschool.ca and/or contact her at heather@thesunflowerschool.ca
““Construction play must be three things: tangible, physical, and 3-dimensional.””
Teacher Takeaways
Projects as Verbs
Think of projects as VERBS (active) rather than nouns (people, place, thing).
Projects as verbs allow for depth and complexity.
Children are always in full-body, active play.
Think of big ideas as verbs too.
Think when observing play: “What’s fascinating/captivating about _____?”
Observe: What are their play interests?
Play schemas fit into verbs as projects because they are verbs.
Play Schemas: Transporting, Orientation, Enclosing, Transforming. For a full list, click HERE.
Watch for these play schemas to unfold to help focus projects.
Give purpose to the play schemas!
Respect the magical thinking of children.
Try! There is no wrong way.
Resources
Referenced in the Interview
