Quality Circle Time in Sao Paolo, Brazil
Wed, Mar 2nd 2011
Dear Jenny
I've been meaning to write for such a long time to let you know about all the great things that have happened this term. The playground zones have worked extremely well. Each year group is now allowed to use the three playgrounds when it is playground time. The children are allowed to choose where they want to go and move freely between all areas and zones. The Nursery teachers were very skeptical about this at the beginning but obviously the children have been fine and in a couple of days had worked out what to do and where to go. At the end of playground time an instrument rings which warns them it is time to return to class.The three playgrounds together have areas of “free play” as well as six defined “zones”: Traditional Games zone (front playground); Quiet zone (front playground where there are books or board games available - an area for children to calm down if they want to); Mark-making and Performance zone (side playground - an area with tables for drawing, painting etc. and a “stage”); Action games zone (back playground); Craze of the Week zone (back playground); and the role-play zone (in the Pre-Prep corridor). We did some tweeking at half-term and will have another brainstorming session now before term starts.
The other great thing that happened is that one of the Pre-Prep 1 teachers went on maternity leave in October and I decided to take over as class teacher. It has been a fantastic experience. Also, it has been good for the teachers to know I 'talk the talk' and 'walk the walk' as I am working really hard to model everything I believe in and to put into practice what I preach. I have used your book Circle Time for Young Children and the Quality Circle Time sessions have worked brilliantly as has the sun & cloud system.
We have started the Well-being committee and we are keeping up with the Yoga after school and on INSET days we now always have the choice to book massages and manicures!
I hope all is well with you and I look forward to seeing you again in 2012 which I know will arrive much sooner than I expect.
Lots of love
Anne
Dr Anne D’Heursel Baldisseri
Sao Paolo, Brazil
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