Working in the Reggio Way: A Beginner's Guide for American Teachers

by Julianne Wurm, Celia Genishi (Foreword)

Practical ways to bring the practices of Reggio Emilia to your classroom.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Professional Development, Nonfiction

146 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[CTEP]

I’ve recently been considering ways that I could make my classes less formal. Most of the kids I work with come to my classes voluntarily after a full day of school, and even the most polite middle schoolers can’t hide their look of nausea when I say the word “Worksheet”. The “Reggio Way” is a practical look at an educational style that is based in Italian early childhood development. This is something I have never studied or even heard of before (I guess it hasn’t crossed into American education the way that “Montessori” has), but a brief glance told me it might be valuable.

“Working in the Reggio Way” is written by an American school-teacher who travels to Reggio Emilia, Italy, and works in and observes multiple early-childhood classes (generally ages 3-7). While there, she dissects the “Reggio way” of building teaching and learning communities that foster children’s creativity, critical thinking, and ownership of their own education. The chapters are broken down into practical, manageable topics such as physical environment, learning through projects, documentation, and participation of the family.

The author uses stories and examples from her time at these schools, coupled with questions many people familiar with American-style education might have about the practicality or usefulness of some of these practices. A particularly interesting section devotes itself to the idea of "wait time"- and why waiting days or even weeks before asking children to answer a question or engage and idea can be remarkably effective. Through the cute stories and applicable suggestions, as well as the hard-to-argue-with idioms of many Italian grandmotherly types, the book makes it clear that a Reggio classroom would feel very different (more free, relaxed, and full of empowered, engaged, creative little kids) from a regular American classroom.

Overall, Ms. Wurm has written a book that could help guide the reader into incorporating some of these practices into almost any teaching environment. While the focus of the book is on young children, I found myself drawn to chapters that discuss how projects are initiated and how children are incorporated into the curriculum-planning process. I found that many practices for organic and participant-centered documentation, community engagement, and lesson reshaping were extremely relevant to what CTEP members must learn and do in a short time.

I know that my elementary students would appreciate exploring towards a topic until a project idea formed- a process I didn't think they would be able to handle at such a young age until I read this book. This is what I've been trying to do with my middle-schoolers from the start, and the book offered some suggestions for overcoming roadblocks we've faced. After reading, I’ve got a list of ideas for ways to separate “Tech Time” from school-time, for helping my older students feel more free to explore their own activities, and to make the youngest children I work with feel more in control of our time together.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

🥭Craving: Education, teaching philosophy, project based learning, child first, progressive, collaborative environment.
🌱Pairs with: A wide-eyes child on the way to discover the world.
🌺Takeaway: Crash course guide to one of the best teaching philosophies, and examples of how to apply it to your learning environment.

“[...] a little child only discovers the world above her once.”

“Learning does not unfold in a linear fashion. All the children have their own meandering paths that collide into one another, pushing each other forward, backward, and sideways. Ultimately they arrive, but each in their own time. In Reggio this is respected and cultivated.”

This is probably one of the most approachable, and practical books on the Reggio Emilia methodology. What it lacks in depth of the philosophy, it makes up for in an easy to understand application process. There are no set programs or steps to this teaching practice; it’s difficult to grasp without comprehensive study, and reading observations and case studies; or experiencing it first hand.

This text is quick to read in an afternoon and outlines quite a clear picture of the methodology. As a parent with kids in preschool or kindergarten, it’s worthwhile to get to know other progressive teaching practices. Reggio Emilia is for those who want to foster problem-solving skills, collaborative learning, curiosity, and wonder, as well as set the foundation for more empathic, community conscious/involved children.

[MrsMJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was well written! As someone who is new to the RE-inspired approach to teaching, I found this book very informative and practical. It explained the core principles of RE, as well as corresponding application questions and examples. It was very insightful and implementable.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got so many ideas for my classroom and my school from this book! While it doesn't tell teachers exactly what to do, this book offers provoking questions, stories from Reggio Emilia, and insights that will help teachers think more deeply about their teaching practice. While she is writing about Reggio inspired teaching, Wurm really encourages teachers to be sure that what they are doing in the classroom aligns with their values and beliefs about young children and education, so this would be useful for all early childhood teachers.

[Chelsea Jewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great beginners guide to the magic of the Reggio way!

[Jonathan Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the way the book was categorised, and provided some great questions that all educators should ask themselves. Worth the read indeed.

[Emily Steinhoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Required reading for work but a very accessible breakdown to the basics of Reggio classrooms, ethos and priorities.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a professional educator, which is the intended reader of this book, but I am interested in the Reggio philosophy and incorporating some of the methodology into our household. I found the language really accessible and while a lot of it is not applicable to a family setting (unless you are homeschooling, which I am not), a lot of it is very useful for considering how to approach helping your child with problem solving and exploring topics.

This is not a "project-based" book that defines how a room should be set up, what materials to offer, what projects to do to spark inquiry. This is a book that offers a mind-set to dealing with children's explorations and a way to prompt further and deeper wondering without trampling on their tendrils of thought. Its a very gentle and kind way to deal with children.

The number one thing I took away from this book was to allow my child ample time and opportunity to answer questions on her own - even if the answers are not strictly correct. I am short on patience in general and it's a good reminder for me to be supportive of her learning and exploring without needing any sort of results.

[kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to hear from an American educator that spent a year in Reggio Emilia, Italy when she wanted to experience the Reggio Approach first hand. It was helpful to read about the challenges she observed study groups discover in implementing the philosophy in their respective countries. Helpful insight she shared: Americans compartmentalize education where the Reggio Approach views education as an interconnected whole piece.

[Diem Dangers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this mostly to get some ideas about how I could be more creative about my mothering at home and was surprised at all the interesting ideas I got from it... it gave me more of an appreciation for the difference it makes in children's lives to play in sunlit rooms, have their crafts and creations be displayed at their level, and be taken seriously, be surrounded by plants and other living things...

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is this book about?
Working in the Reggio Way is an introductory book to the Reggio Emilia style of schooling originating in Italy. It is by an American teacher to spent time in Reggio Emilia working in their early learning programs, and how she has adapted the philosophies for North American schools.


For Full Review: http://manybrainsblog.weebly.com/1/po...

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Working in the Reggio Way: A Beginner's Guide for American Teachers is an excellent reference that gives lots of examples for organization, observation, documentation and all aspects of teaching following the ideas developed in Italy called the Reggio Way. This is a project based learning with intentional planned learning situations for the students to use and learn by doing, which is the way young children prefer to learn.

[Heather]

Simple, straightforward read, with ideas and questions for any teacher (especially early childhood) to challenge attitudes, beliefs and habits that may prevent them from creating the most supportive educational environment possible. Offers inspiration and guidance to get you from "that wouldn't work here" to "how will I apply this to my setting?"

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Think I have a much better understanding of the Reggio Method. I appreciated that the author presented the material in manner that allowed you to look at what you could incorporate in your classroom, recognizing that many of the ideas run counter to how we do things in North America. Really enjoyed the section on documenting student learning. Very helpful ideas.

[Sarah K · Rating 4 out of 5]

One day I will be back in the classroom. Many good ideas, some practical, some not so much, but the author does a great job of reminding the reader that learning opportunities and situations should vary within the culture. Just make sure your goals and practices are in line and always self-assess and evaluate!

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another Reggio book, less compelling than others, but still useful to understand the basic premise of what they are trying to do and how it is (generally) in direct opposition to normalized preschool teaching methods in the U.S.

[Becky Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to help introduce you to Reggio. Lots of reflection on your own classroom and the way you schedule your day. I like how she addressed how we, in the US, cannot ever be Reggio Italy but we can adapt these concepts in our classroom.

[Amber]

1 copy available

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

At times overly technical and hard to apply to a home setting, but still a good resource. Illustrations and photographs would have been helpful.

[Fran · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this 3 and 1/2 stars out of 5. It really makes you think. You have to have an open mind.

[Wendy Wilensky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple explanation about the Reggio philosophy and the authors experience teaching in Reggio schools in Italy.

[Melanie]

Inspiring and confirming

[Grace Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read and follow along. Encourages deeper thinking of implementing the Reggio approach into your classroom.