Ciao everyone!

It is our last night in Reggio, and we can’t believe how our week has flown by! Today our learning included watching videos of different project experiences from the Reggio preschools and having discussions with the atelieristas about the process and decisions the teachers made throughout the experience.  A highlight was having our picture taken with Amelia Gambetti, one of the leaders of Reggio Children who worked with Loris Malaguzzi and Project Zero, as she was casually shopping in the bookstore along with all of the Reggio participants!

 Our last school visit was nothing short of amazing and gave a new meaning to “Open House”.  The Scuola Prampolini welcomed us for “Tea Time” in the garden of the school, and we had delicious Italian specialties prepared by their cooks and presented by their parents.  We strolled through the outdoor children’s play areas to find a bird watching cottage, outdoor art studio, and many beautiful nature projects that the children created.  Inside the classrooms, the learning was evident and represented in every medium possible – words cannot do it justice, so you will have to see the many (hundreds) of pictures we have taken to get a sense of the beauty!

   

We have met so many wonderful people and made many connections with other teachers that we know our experience will continue for many years to follow.  We are already talking about visiting other schools and reconnecting with our new friends.  We all say that we can’t believe our week is already ending, but at the same time, it feels like we have been away from school for a month.  We are anxious to get back to see the children, close our school year, and plan ahead to use this extraordinary experience as a springboard for new learning experiences back home.  Grazie mille!