EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (ECE)

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• Welcome
• Staff
• Our Approach
• Gallery

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Our Spring Inquiries
Each classroom has taken a unique path on their journey of learning this year. This spring, The Friendly Fireflies are researching the relationship between animals and their habitats in the rainforest, The Hardworking Astronauts are researching dinosaurs and bones, The Great White Sharks are studying the positive impacts of bees on the environment, and The Brilliant Birds are exploring the all things insects. As the children explore, wonder, and research they will utilize the fluency they have developed in several creative languages (painting, sculpting, drawing, dancing, wire) this school year to represent their ideas and theories with the Brent community.
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“Education is a social process; education is growth; education is not a preparation for life but is life itself.”    John Dewey

Our Learning Objectives
In the document below, you will find the 38 Learning Objectives that will be intertwined in children’s play, work, exploration and experiences throughout the school year.
-Objectives for Development and Learning
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Class Syllabus -  ECE 2017 Syllabus 
​Lunch Menus - Sodexho Magic Lunch Menus  (scroll down to view the menu for the current month)

Meagan Montgomery
​ECE Lead Teacher
​Email | About

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Tyontae Briscoe
Instructional Assistant
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Stacy Miller
​ECE Lead Teacher
​Email | About

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Brittney Gerald
Instructional Assistant
Email | About

Emma 
​Bailey
​ECE Lead Teacher
​​Email | About

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Nina
Smith
Instructional Assistant
​Email | About​

Julia Sadowsky
ECE Lead Teacher
​Email | About

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Eleanor Marindin
​Instructional Assistant
​Email | About

A Reggio-Inspired Project Approach 
A holistic, authentic, child-centered approach to learning that promotes meaningful relationships, creativity, and critical thinking skills in children. This unique approach is inspired by the philosophy and practice of the schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy.
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What is The Project Approach?
The Project Approach refers to a set of teaching strategies that enable teachers to guide students through in-depth studies of real-world topics.  With engaging and in-depth projects born from student interest, children feel highly motivated and actively involved in their own learning, leading them to produce high-quality work and to grow as individuals, collaborators, learners and artists.

What exactly is a project?
A project, by definition, is an in-depth investigation of a real-world topic worthy of a student’s attention and effort. The study may be carried out with an entire class or with small groups of students. Projects can be a short or long term, as the students’ reflection process and collaborative goals greatly impact the journey of each project.

Why are we using The Project Approach?
The Project Approach brings a number of advantages to any classroom and represents best practices in progressive early childhood education. The Project Approach aligns with Brent’s Field Studies Program and promotes critical thinking skills, creativity and social-emotional growth while intertwining cross-curricular rigorous academic content.

Source: The Project Approach

Our Main Principles
1. The Image of the Child
The child is viewed as strong, powerful, curious and capable. The child is eager to grow and should be nurtured by adults who take this drive towards growth seriously.

2. The 100 Languages of Children
Children communicate and represent their ideas and intelligence in a myriad of ways. All channels are tremendously valuable forms of expression.

3. The Project Approach
Our curriculum is grown from the children, as teachers ask questions and work to discover the children's curiosities, ideas, and theories. Through short and long term projects, children explore interests, problem solve, make connections, think critically and strengthen academic foundations.

4. Collaboration
The children, families, teachers and administration at Brent are all co-constructors of the learning in our school community.

5. Documentation
Each classroom tells the story of their learning by presenting photographs, artifacts, dialogue, and student work, in carefully designed exhibits. This demonstrates to students that their work is valued and taken seriously.

6. Environment as the Third Teacher
Our beautiful, organized, carefully designed classrooms provide relaxing and inspiring spaces that promote communication, relationships, creativity and exploration. Natural, authentic, open-ended materials provoke children’s ideas.

2017-2018 Gallery

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ECE UPCOMING EVENTS

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May 16th- ECE Concert
May 30th- Incoming ECE Playdate