studio teacher: Defining the Studio Teacher & the Studio

In true Reggio spirit, the studio teacher position reflects the unique needs and qualities of the individual school.

The studio teacher is someone who:

is knowledgeable in areas of art, music, drama, and movement.

recognizes the different ways in which children learn and offers experiences to support this.

helps facilitate the work of the child, as an individual and as part of a group.

acts a resource for both teachers and the children.

presents opportunities for provocation

models use of tools, materials, and supplies.

creates documentation within the studio and assists in the documentation process within the classrooms.

The studio is a place where:

ideas are transformed into one of the many languages of the child.

children may explore various media and gain skills using them to bring ideas and concepts to life.

children can practice these skills to become more proficient using them in their daily work

a wide variety of tools, materials, and supplies are always available.

one can find not just visual art supplies, but music, instruments, gross motor equipment, and items for dramatic representation.

displayed here are collections of natural objects -- shells, stones, feathers, sticks, fossils

While the actual physical space of the atelier is limited, the essence of studio work can be done anywhere on campus -- the classrooms, Ross' cozy side-porches, the sport court, the "hills," the bear cave, lawn areas, library story pit. Our limitations may actually be what makes the experience even more unique and beautiful.

Nothing Without Joy

When children are able to

draw

dance

pretend

sculpt

sing,

these actions become outward expressions of their THOUGHTS and the process of making sense of the world around them.

Making these experiences more meaningful and complex requires ample opportunities

to try,

to explore,

and to practice.

My goal is to create an environment for our children where they can become FLUENT in using the arts as a language for expressing what they know, what they are presently learning, and what they would like to know. The studio experience would equip the children with the confidence to use the arts as tools to make meaningful connections with core academic skills.

Spaces

The atelier needn't be an actual space. The atelier is a state of mind!

Even though the current atelier is quite small, there are many unique, beautiful spaces around campus to utilize in new, inventive ways. Think of the possibilities...

atelier-- for small group work, storage and display of materials, display work of the children
Ross side porch & "tree house"
sport court -- for games & other gross motor activities
back porch of school store
bear cave, turtle pond, fish pond
garden walkway beside Pardue
grassy knoll by the hills
library story pit (as available)
side lawn of library (in front of Madren Pool)

And of course, working in the classroom is a great way to maximize time spent working in the space where children are already naturally thinking of their project work. Use of a rolling cart can bring necessary materials and equipment directly to the classroom with ease.