The Calgary Reggio Network Association’s purpose it to provide support, professional development, opportunities for dialogue, information and resources to individuals and organizations interested in the Reggio philosophy.
As an organization inspired by the Reggio Approach to education, we advocate for education grounded in democratic principles where children have rights of citizenship from birth. We support an image of children as curious, imaginative, resourceful, capable, and intelligent, who construct their understandings from rich educational environments in dialogue with peers and responsive educators. We advocate for schools that provide environments where children are protagonists in their learning and where there are opportunities for children to express their thinking in diverse ways that include the arts.
We believe that although the principles which ground the Reggio philosophy were originally developed in centres for young children, these principles are relevant to learners of all ages.
We are inspired by the work which began in Reggio Emilia, Italy. The Reggio Approach is not a method to be replicated but serves as a provocation and challenge to educators around the world. The context in which we work is a Canadian context where community, culture and perspective differ from the Italian context. We respect the frame of reference that each individual and organization brings to our association. This association respects the original philosophy from Reggio Emilia while being mindful of the communities of learning with whom we interact.
Don't forget to follow us on instagram!
@calgaryreggio
PLEASE HELP US GET THE WORD OUT!
We urgently need your help to “Ditch the Draft” Alberta curriculum because it is contrary to the educational and moral values we hold as the Calgary Reggio Network Association and in our opinion should not be implemented at all. We ask that you spread this message as widely as possible within your community contacts. Share the links below and ask everyone to write MLAs, and other government officials. Imagine, if each of 900+ Network members successfully encouraged 2 people to write, or a school council to write, the impact this could have!
For more information, links to sample letters, a petition and location of “Ditch the Draft” protests throughout the Province on April 2, go to the links below.
Students Deserve Better https://www.studentsdeservebetter.ca
Spin the Curriculum Wheel and you will see how inappropriate some learning expectations are.
Alberta Teachers’ Association https://bit.ly/DraftCurriculum
A critique in Alberta Views
https://albertaviews.ca/the-absurd-ucp-curriculum/?fbclid=IwAR25iAwH7cUxzQw--70G-veV-VXJgBlIh8W8LKt2D3C0Ss-NL7NgnOYbI_o
Watch the Calgary Reggio Network's response to the proposed new Alberta Curriculum in this video
https://youtu.be/nTSZdspuNz0
We encourage all educators to review the newly proposed Alberta Curriculum and offer your feedback.
You can review the curriculum online at https://www.alberta.ca/curriculum.aspx
Alberta Curriculum Analysis
This site is intended to provide diverse, non-partisan, research-informed scholarly and expert advice on the development of Alberta’s K-12 curriculum, across all subject areas.
alberta-curriculum-analysis.ca
Online Professional Development
Upcoming Workshops:
The Vancouver Reggio Association Study Tour to Reggio Emilia, Italy
March 13-17, 2023
General Overview
This experience provides participants with an overview of the Reggio Emilia educational project, a particular teaching approach that has been developed in Reggio Emilia, Italy. We will be looking at the history of the approach, including its socio-cultural context. Its values and pedagogical principles will be explored. This week-long study tour to Reggio Emilia that will include lectures, cultural encounters, and visits to the infant/toddler, preschool, and elementary classrooms.
$2300 CDN, plus travel, accommodations, and meal costs
Register your interest here: https://tinyurl.com/yckm7484
View more details about the Study Group HERE
Place-based Arts with Andrea Merredew and AGM
Saturday, June 4th
10am-12pm
Confederation Park (East Side)
Cost $30
Please join us outdoors on Saturday, June 4th for the Calgary Reggio Network Association AGM and workshop with artist Andrea Merredew. The AGM will be held from 10-10:30am and is open to all CRNA members (RSVP is required). The workshop will follow with participation limited to 16 people. We invite participants to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after the workshop.
Workshop description:
“Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.” - Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
When we create from a place of curiosity and reciprocity, our connection with the more-than human world deepens. Join Andrea Merredew for a one and a half hour place-based arts workshop, where you’ll be guided through the process of making land art and a sound mapping practice. It’s a wonderful opportunity to awaken your senses and make art in partnership with the Earth. There will be time at the end of the workshop to ask questions and Andrea will share additional resources and opportunities for anyone that would like to go deeper. The workshop is suitable for all abilities, no previous art experience is required.
Workshop registration is available on eventbrite
www.eventbrite.com/e/place-based-arts-with-andrea-merredew-and-agm-tickets-346338306197
Please Note: Due to the limited spots available, there will be a wait list available for this workshop. Once registered, participants will be emailed a map to workshop and participation waivers.
If you wish to just attend our AGM then please email us at calgaryreggio@gmail.com. Once you RSVP that you are attending the AGM, a map and AGM documents will be emailed to you directly.
Andrea Merredew is a Calgary Artist and for the past decade she has been using the arts as an instrument for change. She believes that everyone's creative and that art has the power to transform people's lives and help heal the Earth. Andrea's art and relationship with the more-than-human world was shaped by her years growing up in Montreal. She knows firsthand that not everyone has access to pristine wilderness and how important it is to foster our connection to nature wherever we live. Even if the environment we live in is altered, polluted and appears to lack nature and beauty, we can learn to awaken our senses and find our way back to nature through the arts. When she is not in her garden or wandering around the forest with her family, you can find her teaching nature-based art classes or creating mixed media art in her studio. Her art is sold at the Leighton Art Centre and through her online shop.
New distributor for REGGIO CHILDREN PUBLICATIONS
The new Canadian distributor of Reggio Children Publications will be A Different Drummer Bookstore, in Burlington, Ontario.
https://www.differentdrummerbooks.ca
E-LEARNING: A digital world for the Reggio Emilia Approach
Reggio Children is offering live webinars and online resources
Reggio Children is continuing to offer a new series of Webinars, Web conferences and a digital learning tool box. If you would like more information on current offerings and to sign up please follow this link:
https://www.reggiochildren.it/en/e-learning/digital-study-group/
Land AcknowledgementThe Calgary Reggio Network Association wishes to honour and respect that the land in which we live, work and play is upon the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta. This region includes the the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Iyarhe Nakoda.
The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River, and the traditional Blackfoot name of this place is “Mohkinstsis” which we now call the City of Calgary. Our work centres on children, families and educators acknowledging community and diversity. We wish to walk together as an organization advocating for the calls to action to be realized from the truth and reconciliation initiative. In consideration that knowledge is key, we offer some recommended reading for our CRNA community. https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform-single/beyond-94?&cta=70 https://indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca/article/fn-frequently-asked-questions/ https://empoweringthespirit.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Weaving-Ways-Introductory-Document-10-09.pdf http://www.fourdirectionsteachings.com/ |