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Reggio Emilia Emphasizes Child-Led Learning

A progressive independent school in New York City, Blue School offers educational opportunities for young learners from age 2 through sixth grade. In recent years, Blue School has acquired new facilities and expanded its programming to include middle school students. The school fosters a creative learning environment that takes some inspiration from the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education. According to the Reggio Emilia philosophy, children are creative and capable with a strong sense of wonder and knowledge. Reggio Emilia emphasizes child-directed learning in which students learn by pursuing their own unique interests. In addition, the philosophy focuses on group learning to encourage children to form collaborative bonds with their peers. Also, Reggio Emilia practitioners consider the learning environment to be a "third teacher" and create spaces that feature natural light and order where each item has a purpose. Adults serve as mentors and guides who strive to understand students' varied ways of learning and expression. Although teachers do not plan lessons in advance, they do take time to document students' ideas and discoveries to help facilitate each child's unique learning processes.

#Blue School #new york #Reggio Emilia #Child-Led Learning #education

Blue Man Group - The Creative Group That Inspired a School's Creation

In September 2015, Blue School of New York City opened its doors to sixth-graders for the first time as part of its gradual expansion from a pre-primary and primary school into a middle school. Blue School, cofounded by three members of the Blue Man Group and others, developed from the performance troupe’s idea of inspiring curiosity and creativity in its audience. College graduates Phil Stanton, Chris Wink, and Matt Goldman formed the Blue Man Group in 1988. Together, the three created a blue-skinned, bald character called the Blue Man and developed a family-oriented performance that captured audience attention nationwide. Their intention was to create a show that reached out to the intelligence and innocence of their audience while establishing a space for people to continually learn and grow. Although the release of the Blue Man character met with some initial confusion from audiences, the group’s collective efforts enabled them to perform at a small theatre in New York. Its NYC performance left audiences inspired, and the group went on to win numerous awards, accolades, and genre-crossing opportunities. Furthermore, the success of the Blue Man Group allowed it to become a global entertainment company that now performs in 15 countries. In 2006, the Blue Man Group founded Blue School and made the move to transfer the group’s mission and values into a formal educational setting. Centered on the concepts of creativity and hands-on exploration, the school emphasizes innovation and community and seeks to develop a nurturing and encouraging educational environment.

#Blue School #new york #Blue Man Group #education

Blue School’s Middle School Program - Robotics and Sustainable Design

Located in New York City, Blue School concentrates on innovation in education by fostering creativity and encouraging investigation. Blue School will expand its pre-primary and primary school program to include a middle school, beginning in the 2015-2016 school year, with the addition of sixth grade. Seventh grade will follow in 2016-2017 and eighth grade in 2017-2018. Blue School developed a middle school academic program with a wide range of challenging and relevant classes, including robotics and designing for sustainability. The robotics program highlights the fact that the vital apparatus powering modern life is frequently hidden and not widely understood. To better understand how technology works, students in Blue School’s robotics course will look at machines critically and investigate the mechanics. For example, students will explore the components shared by digital alarm clocks, Metrocard readers, and automated paper towel machines. Students will also be able to imagine and develop their own robotics. In the course called This is a Public Space: design for sustainability, students will learn about sustainable design and the history of public spaces. Students will also gain a better understanding of the political, social, and environmental challenges associated with creating public works while striving to reimagine public spaces for the community and the environment in a sustainable way.

#Blue School #new school #Middle School Program #Robotics and Sustainable Design

Blue School Fosters Strong Parental Involvement

NYC, New York’s Blue School is an independent school that is currently expanding to add sixth- (fall of 2015), seventh- (fall of 2016), and eighth-grade (fall of 2017) classes to its campus. Featuring a dynamic curriculum and progressive learning approach, Blue School aims to foster a lifetime love of learning in all its students. In addition, the school encourages adult learning by engaging parents in dialogues about the current state and future of education. Through sessions with the head of school, along with a school psychologist and child development specialist, parents can discuss essential topics affecting the student community. In addition, parents have opportunities to participate in roundtables focused on grade-level-specific topics. Throughout the year, the school organizes a speaker series, which provides insights from distinguished thought-leaders. Educational research has affirmed that greater parental involvement benefits students across many dimensions. In addition to earning higher grades, students with engaged parents typically have better social skills and are more likely to pursue post-secondary education. According to the National Education Association, schools that foster parental involvement provide students opportunities to make greater gains in learning.

#Blue School #new york #Parental Involvement #education

Engaging Grandparents Benefits Students and Independent Schools

A private school in New York City, Blue School, recognizes that family involvement is a key to student success. Blue School, which is currently expanding enrollment to accommodate middle-school students, one grade at a time over the next three years, not only works to engage parents, but also has a special Grandfriends program focused on grandparents and others who play important roles in children’s lives. According to educational research, children with involved parents and grandparents are more likely to perform well in school and establish a foundation for a bright future. Independent schools that desire stronger engagement from grandparents and other caregivers can institute special events and programming, such as a dedicated grandparents’ day. In addition, grandparents and other caregivers can receive invitations to regular school celebrations and fundraisers. Giving grandparents and others access to the school calendar and creating custom communications or newsletters is another way to engage them in day-to-day school activities. For independent schools, promoting strong relationships with grandparents and other caregivers can broaden the school’s fundraising network. According to the National Association of Independent Schools, 13 percent of grandparents who received donation requests made annual gifts to a private school during the 2012-2013 school year. This extra funding further benefits students by providing the means to enhance current school programming.

#Blue School #new york #Engaging Grandparents #Students #Independent Schools #eduation #benefits

Social and Emotional Learning in Adolescence

At Blue School in New York City, curriculum centers on the development areas of academic mastery, creative thinking, and self and social intelligence. Currently educating NYC children from age two through the fifth grade, Blue School will add grades six through eight within the next three years. The adolescent years play a key role in the development of a young person's sense of self and social standing. Adolescence stands out as a time when a person begins to develop his or her identity, though typically not at a conscious level. Teens and preteens spend much of their time thinking about what others have said or implied about them, while integrating those opinions into their own awareness of their likes, dislikes, beliefs, and tendencies. Adolescents typically experiment with new identities, try on new and personal labels, and experiment with belonging to differing peer groups. The behaviors and opinions of peers have a profound influence on a teenager, whether negatively or positively. A teen's close friends are usually the people with whom a teen learns how to navigate a close relationship between equals, which they may then experiment with in the context of a romantic relationship. Teenagers navigate these social-learning matrices in the context of adult-set boundaries, which help a teen to establish autonomy in a safe environment.

#Social and Emotional Learning #Adolescence #education #blue school #new york

Blue School Brings Blue Man Group Values to Young Learners

After achieving success as the Blue Man Group, three of the group’s cofounders, Matt Goldman, Chris Wink, and Phil Stanton, decided team up with three other artists to start the Blue School. Today, the Blue School attracts young learners from throughout NYC. The school’s ongoing success has allowed it to expand its offerings and begin a middle school program. The Blue Man Group’s core qualities of creativity and continual learning provide the basis for the school’s educational emphasis. Blue Man Group performances feature unique characters of bald, blue men who are innocent and curious. They are always exploring and questioning the world around them. As a result, Blue Man performances can constantly evolve and remain fresh and engaging for audiences. In each performance, the group aims to create a celebration of life and a deeper sense of community. Performances often feature a dazzling mix of art, music, and technology. Just as Blue Man Group performances inspire creativity in audiences, their New York City school’s learning environment inspires creativity in its students. The performances and school inspire individuals to treat others with respect and to live life joyfully.

#Blue Man Group #Matt Goldman #Blue School #NYC

Capital Campaigns Provide Funds for Defined Major Investments

An independent New York City school, Blue School is expanding into middle school, with sixth grade to be added in the 2015-16 school year. To support this expansion, Blue School acquired a building on Water Street, which is adjacent to its core facility. The school launched a capital campaign to acquire funds to renovate the new building and provide a home for NYC middle grade students. Defined as fundraising and outreach tied to a defined need, a capital campaign also has a defined financial goal and specific timelines. Historically, organizations have used capital campaigns for large investments such as building acquisitions and sought major gifts from donors. Often, organizations find that a capital campaign can have a positive effect on fundraising over the long term. Before launching capital campaigns, organizations may want to conduct a feasibility study. With this study, organizations can assess their current reputation among stakeholders, the viability of the need, and the likelihood of accessing resources needed to meet their goal. After conducting a feasibility study, organizations can create a detailed plan to help outline the process for pursuing a major fundraising initiative.

#Blue School #new York #Capital Campaigns #Major Investments #funds

The Role of Movement in Early Childhood Learning

Established in New York City by six artists, including three cofounders of the Blue Man Group, Blue School incorporates the performing and visual arts into its multifaceted curriculum. Blue School of NYC begins with a preschool program that welcomes children aged two to four years. The school currently teaches students up through fifth grade but is adding a middle school, beginning with sixth grade in 2015-2016 and expanding to eighth grade in 2017-2018. Young children engage the world with their bodies. Research shows that early experiences with movement provide the stimulation that prompts cognitive development, which in turn helps to cement early learning experiences. Consequently, by introducing movement into the diverse curriculum of an early childhood program, educators can teach children using that natural modality while helping them to develop in multiple additional ways. For example, active dramatic play can help a child understand the progression of a story while also internalizing vocabulary. Games such as “Simon says” can help a child experiment with numbers by asking them to perform a movement for a specific number of seconds, an activity that also develops balance and coordination. Pretend play activities and exercises that emphasize physical awareness can also help children to develop scientific and social curiosity and at the same time encourage knowledge of oneself as a participant in the wider world. By making these activities enjoyable as well as educational, a teacher can support a child's enthusiasm and intellectual growth in addition to a physical awareness that benefits him or her throughout life.

#Blue School #new york #ny #Early Childhood Learning #movement

Key Facts for Parents about Financial Aid for Independent Schools

Based in New York City, Blue School maintains a strong commitment to diversity in its student population. One way Blue School aims to foster diversity is by accepting intellectually engaged students from varied socioeconomic backgrounds. The private independent school encourages NYC-area families to seek financial assistance to help cover gaps between tuition costs and what families can afford. In most cases, financial aid from an independent school is a grant, which does not require repayment. Schools secure funding for financial aid from donations, fundraisers, endowment funds, grants, and other resources. Educational industry experts encourage parents to ask questions when assessing the possibility of financial aid for their students. Parents should learn what percentage of students gain financial aid, along with typical grant sizes. In addition, parents should find out whether aid covers tuition only, or includes other key costs, such as textbooks and supplemental fees. Each independent school has a specific financial aid process and timeline, which parents must meet to qualify. Parents provide all requested details and documentation to help school officials make effective financial aid determinations.

#Blue School #new york #Parents #Key Facts #Financial Aid #Independent Schools #education

A Brief Overview of the Reggio Emilia Approach

Based on Water Street in Lower Manhattan, NYC, Blue School is a progressive independent school that currently serves 250 students from prekindergarten through the fifth grade. Blue School’s teaching and learning principles draw on a variety of innovative methods and philosophies, including the Reggio Emilia Approach. Named after a city in northern Italy, the Reggio Emilia Approach is an educational philosophy developed by a young teacher named Loris Malaguzzi in the years shortly following World War II. While Reggio Emilia is based on sound learning theories and the work of educational thought leaders like Dewey, Montessori, and Vygotsky, it is not a set method with accompanying curricula and teaching standards. Rather, it is a flexible approach to child learning and development that is guided by several core values. Reggio Emilia sees children as active learners who learn best while they are freely exploring and interacting with the people and things that surround them. For this reason, Reggio-inspired schools and classrooms are heavily focused on social collaboration, student-guided learning, and a creative environment. Reggio classrooms are filled with authentic learning materials that are organized in a way that encourages children to explore their own interests alongside their peers and teachers. In recent years, the Reggio Emilia Approach has gained much international recognition, and it is now used in early childhood programs in countries around the globe. The original Reggio Schools in Italy have received a number of honors over the years, including the Danish Lego Prize and the Hans Christian Andersen Prize.

#New York #nyc #blue school #Reggio Emilia Approach #education

thoughts, ideas, and questions from allison gaines pell

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Making Education Brain Science

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