tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968099382614048872024-03-05T18:35:10.776-05:00Bella NaturaA Reggio-Inspired Learning CenterTerri Westmorelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931689249557775217noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-796809938261404887.post-77328480737304627172016-06-19T17:50:00.004-04:002016-06-19T19:56:49.188-04:00Pond Project 2012-2016<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST-kMpI1Nmuuff939EHUMTpO1WQXf5RYp20XwopymMTVo6EATRAFJFFPUfm3WznzhH4XPBoIAMbMPNz6FeCyhwfMSypIhozeRi6jRCocirYi7cfCBCqP1lx8kSB99ZiXXFwLPAig7jPbB/s1600/2012-09-04_14-54-19_187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST-kMpI1Nmuuff939EHUMTpO1WQXf5RYp20XwopymMTVo6EATRAFJFFPUfm3WznzhH4XPBoIAMbMPNz6FeCyhwfMSypIhozeRi6jRCocirYi7cfCBCqP1lx8kSB99ZiXXFwLPAig7jPbB/s400/2012-09-04_14-54-19_187.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Eli (8th grade), Seth (6th grade), and Doug (5th grade) measuring for the 1st pond attempt in spring 2012. Originally, we were going to use this donated pond liner.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Instead, they chose a preformed plastic pond liner that we spotted at Lowes on a shopping field trip.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">The students' 2nd pond project attempt had some issues. The water level was quite uneven. The waterfall leaked. The pond even popped out of the ground! They had a lot of problems to solve.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">We had some pond experts (Miss Terri's parents) bring a tamper, a level, and some much-needed pond-building experience later that spring. We decided to repurpose a patio table and an old flower pot as our water feature. We ran the water pump's tubing through the umbrella hole in the table and drilled a hole through the bottom of the pot. We patched around the tubing with plumber's putty and added rocks to weigh down the pot. As water filled the pot, it would tumble over the edge of the table and cascade into the pond. It was glorious! This is what the pond and landscaping looked like after four years of growth.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">This adorable guy has been visiting for the last few years!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">We have nine Koi. Bella students love feeding time!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Former Bella students and original pond craftsmen left to right: Eli is now a senior, Doug is a freshman, and Seth is a sophomore.<br /><br />Sadly, the glass table supporting the waterfall broke this winter. I am counting on our current students to be a part of Pond Project 4.0 in 2016!</span></td></tr>
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<br />Terri Westmorelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931689249557775217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-796809938261404887.post-79225423871357150352016-02-24T07:59:00.002-05:002016-02-24T08:02:01.346-05:00Bella Natura Reggio admission information can be found at our new website.<br />
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<a href="http://bellanaturareggio.weebly.com/" target="_blank">http://bellanaturareggio.weebly.com/</a></div>
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Terri Westmorelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931689249557775217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-796809938261404887.post-86121140028167297322016-02-19T01:03:00.000-05:002016-02-19T01:19:35.731-05:00You sure have a lot of free time!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 118%;"><span style="color: #783f04;">“You sure
do have a lot of free time at school!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That may be a parent's reaction to their child’s description of their day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a lot of FREEDOM here at Bella
Natura—freedom of movement and choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Time and space</span></span><span style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: Garamond; mso-default-font-family: Garamond; mso-greek-font-family: Garamond; mso-latin-font-family: Garamond; mso-latinext-font-family: Garamond;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">management is largely determined by the
children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often, they are able to choose
to work on the couch, at a group desk, or at an individual table instead of
being told to stay at “their” desk—they don’t even have a desk!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">However, within that freedom is embedded a
lot of STRUCTURE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have high
expectations in regards to RESPECT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Respect for each other, the classroom and classroom materials, using
their time wisely, and making good choices when they are given free time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second week of school this year, we wrote paragraphs describing
what goals the students have for their time here at school this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want them to take ownership of their
learning and become life-long learners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Giving free time after lunch gives students opportunities to interact with their
“3rd teacher”. This is the REGGIO concept of the environment being the 3rd teacher, the
parent being the 1st teacher, and me being the 2nd teacher.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I have many important goals for my
students, but three of them are: to improve self-control, increase self-regulation, and for students
to get in touch with their own gifts, talents, and interests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those valuable life goals would not be met if
the students’ 2nd teacher always told them what to do and how to do it!</span></span></div>
Terri Westmorelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931689249557775217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-796809938261404887.post-44318357477405040262016-02-18T15:30:00.003-05:002016-02-19T01:21:33.758-05:00"You don't give grades?! How do you know they have learned anything?"<span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That was the response I received recently from an incredulous store employee when I stated that I do not do report cards or grades for my children. Sometimes I forget that this can be a novel and somewhat controversial topic; having felt not just comfortable, but passionate about this issue for years now, I tend to be taken off-guard by reactions such as this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lately, I have been rereading some articles by one of my favorite education experts, Alfie Kohn. The article, <em><span style="color: #783f04;">From Degrading to De-Grading</span></em>, written for High School Magazine in 1999 is available on his website. He lists nine well-researched and documented reasons to “just say no to grades”. The article gives detailed descriptions for each reason, and I encourage everyone reading this to go check it out! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> 1. Grades tend to reduce students' interest in the learning itself.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> 2. Grades tend to reduce students' preference for challenging tasks.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> 3. Grades tend to reduce the quality of students' thinking.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> 4. Grades aren't valid, reliable, or objective.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> 5. Grades distort the curriculum.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> 6. Grades waste a lot of time that could be spent on learning.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> 7. Grades encourage cheating.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> 8. Grades spoil teachers' relationships with students.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> 9. Grades spoil students' relationships with each other.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You might be still be asking, <span style="color: #783f04;">“If you don’t do grades, how do you know students have learned anything?!”</span> I will address how Bella Natura handles grades in a moment. First, allow me to volley a question back over the net. “How do you know that a baby has learned to walk?” In the absence of grades, how does a parent determine that a child has mastered walking, talking, and potty training? I am fairly confident that most parents would think it is ridiculous to assign a letter grade to their child’s efforts at learning these skills. You see the fruit of their learning—the child walks and speaks!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bella Natura does not issue traditional report cards to Kindergarten and Elementary students. Instead, we extend the Reggio concept of documentation into a variety of authentic assessments. We give detailed, specific feedback (orally and spontaneously, as well as written) to our students. We help them to assemble portfolios, projects, and self-assessments that document their own individual learning journey. It’s more about encouraging true learning and mastery over the successful completion of externally-applied learning objectives. Here at Bella Natura, parents will not just see a “snapshot” of what a child knows at a specific point in time, rather they are invited to obtain more of an “all-access, backstage pass” to the process and the fruit of their child’s learning.</span></span></span>Terri Westmorelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931689249557775217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-796809938261404887.post-57962353986688817822016-02-18T15:30:00.002-05:002016-02-19T01:22:39.418-05:00The Role of the Teacher<br />
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<span style="line-height: 118%;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What
is the role of the teacher at Bella Natura?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This year, we have students ranging in age from four to twelve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you imagine attempting to drill,
inculcate, and lecture to “teach” all of the academic skills encompassing the NINE
YEAR age-spread of our classroom?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 118%;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The
role of a teacher in the REGGIO style of education is fundamentally different
than the role of a teacher in a traditional educational setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I do “teach” concepts, ideas, and
skills TO the students, it is not my intention to SHOW or TELL my students all
of the “stuff” that they are supposed to learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead, I see myself as a co-learner, a facilitator—a model for the
students as they explore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want them to
WANT to learn!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 118%;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is
this realistic?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How will they learn how
to read, write, and do arithmetic; not to mention “cover” ALL of the state
history and science standards!?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
will not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cannot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No learner can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will they become creative and critical
thinkers—good communicators and collaborators?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Will they develop positive attitudes about life and learning?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I trust that they will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I expect my students to take OWNERSHIP of their
learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They take their work
seriously, and they are already beginning to take ownership of their learning goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This week, I overheard an older student
encouraging a younger student to set aside a shelf at home to collect and
display things that she is learning and discovering at school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This attitude toward learning cannot be
“taught”, but it is <span style="text-transform: uppercase;">contagious</span>!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyqhaZFKg-iL2_5ZbrigAD8D14eE_G1i9uYAsgxQc6Kpo3-ESLEGyCrBHV_6y9Jm1qkSMo0lykG9Z8wkoMl9tjrBQdTdxJc0vVhhWJK3zdGibuR0F6KapJCrEaeFPwfO3TXNSBKMwbZSv/s1600/24290_10202112718526631_1949378787_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyqhaZFKg-iL2_5ZbrigAD8D14eE_G1i9uYAsgxQc6Kpo3-ESLEGyCrBHV_6y9Jm1qkSMo0lykG9Z8wkoMl9tjrBQdTdxJc0vVhhWJK3zdGibuR0F6KapJCrEaeFPwfO3TXNSBKMwbZSv/s640/24290_10202112718526631_1949378787_n.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 118%;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">By
the way, students do practice their “skills” through their morning
work—targeted practice for spelling, grammar, vocabulary development,
conventions of language—the nuts and bolts of reading and writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our skill-building time in the morning also allows
each student to work on reading, writing, and math on THEIR LEVEL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I monitor their progress, helping them to
MASTER these skills...not just COVER them and move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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Terri Westmorelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931689249557775217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-796809938261404887.post-70173168870900199662016-02-18T15:30:00.001-05:002016-02-19T01:21:12.988-05:00No Homework!??<br />
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<span style="mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">No
homework!??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s right, Bella Natura’s
students will not be asked to do homework most days.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Learning doesn’t just happen from 9:00 to
3:30 though.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLMW6TMVvjFf3V-MOq28vLHR3n1bjimTdpGG7YMg_bzREtdd-GRUbrTJ3oJhxHCd0O6Yp-a3YmeX_VC1Ba9SqKV3HSxzVPvy7bNluXNvq2n-nmlJlrN5ITFWOkisESkRCu2A2JHFh0ZDB/s1600/1271348_10202058001198732_1022107649_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLMW6TMVvjFf3V-MOq28vLHR3n1bjimTdpGG7YMg_bzREtdd-GRUbrTJ3oJhxHCd0O6Yp-a3YmeX_VC1Ba9SqKV3HSxzVPvy7bNluXNvq2n-nmlJlrN5ITFWOkisESkRCu2A2JHFh0ZDB/s640/1271348_10202058001198732_1022107649_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">There are some really
important things that you can do at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>READ together, DISCUSS each other’s days, take a WALK and notice God’s
beautiful creation, play educational GAMES together, encourage</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">“LOOK-IT-UP-IT-IS” and being CURIOUS,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">notice<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>how much
MATH you use while shopping for groceries, pumping gas or paying bills, have your
child WRITE down the shopping list, go to the LIBRARY, watch EDUCATIONAL TV
programs, listen to MUSIC together while doing chores, let your children PLAY
& RUN, type an EMAIL to Grandma, sit outside before bedtime and watch the
STARS pop out, get involved in CHURCH, COMMUNITY, SPORTS, and private CLUBS
& LESSONS, COOK a meal together reading the recipes and nutrition labels,
DRAW, COLOR, PAINT, BUILD...just enjoy your life together as a family!</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5kfVUe-ThuSy_XosDrDN5pjCaE91tzKNTXkOuGAvadKmbPhnZO3MaNd2D-Y7YK1-qKYGLet3o8fGjwazK94e1_INdlo805fTDi8fvSlr-TyOdX__TX3U8WCC98ZL-H84yjJ1e2biytjW/s1600/530512_10202112716326576_1827489271_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5kfVUe-ThuSy_XosDrDN5pjCaE91tzKNTXkOuGAvadKmbPhnZO3MaNd2D-Y7YK1-qKYGLet3o8fGjwazK94e1_INdlo805fTDi8fvSlr-TyOdX__TX3U8WCC98ZL-H84yjJ1e2biytjW/s640/530512_10202112716326576_1827489271_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not only do these activities and daily
routines build family bonds, they contribute to your child’s academic skills
and teach them valuable life skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally, after a tiring day at work, it could feel like a sacrifice to
include your child in chores and conversations, but there is no better way to
disciple the <i>heart</i> of your child!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
Terri Westmorelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931689249557775217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-796809938261404887.post-50614233292851262182016-02-18T15:30:00.000-05:002016-02-19T01:21:18.871-05:00It's Not Just 'Child's Play'!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "californian fb" , "serif";"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bella Natura believes that children actively construct their understanding of the world through play and inquiry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We credit young children with having natural curiosity and intrinsic motivation to learn as they observe, investigate, experiment, dialogue with other children and adults…and play with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">abandon</span></i>.</span></span></span></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "californian fb" , "serif";"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Those qualities do not have to disappear when a child enters “formal” education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the motivation and natural love of learning wane as children are compressed into a standardized system of education that is ill-fitted to their development.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr. David Elkind addresses this in his book, <em>The Power of Play,</em> saying, “Play is not a luxury but rather a crucial dynamic of healthy physical, intellectual, and social-emotional development at all age levels.”</span></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "californian fb" , "serif";"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At Bella Natura, we are passionate about our play! Our curriculum emerges from the ideas and interests of the children--often initiated through play. We believe that every child can benefit from "the power of play". </span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Seth (9) and Elijah (11)</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Absorbed in Play at a Hands-On Museum Exhibit</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"><strong>They had both been reading <em>The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</em>.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong>"For Narnia!"</strong></span></div>
Terri Westmorelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931689249557775217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-796809938261404887.post-57737984063286941442012-01-30T15:02:00.000-05:002012-01-30T15:02:02.751-05:00Sir Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity?<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iG9CE55wbtY?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="459" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Terri Westmorelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931689249557775217noreply@blogger.com