Image 26 of 44 from gallery of Magdalene College Library / Niall McLaughlin Architects. Photograph by Nick Kane

On June 18th, Oslo’s new public library, Deichman Bjørvika, opened its doors to the public. Located on Oslo’s waterfront, and spanning six floors and 140,000 square feet, “Norway’…

Hello and Happy Spring! Despite the wintry forecast in my area, I recently completed a display for my library that exudes spring- Colorful Clouds & Raind

There are many tales of spinning in folklore, often involving trickery or the creation of fate. Click here to learn why spinning is such a popular motif.

A set of charity and giving icons. The icons include acts of giving, donating, offering support, the poor, people in need, people donating, people offering support, families, individuals,...

It’s almost March 2nd and I am continuing the series “All Things Dr. Seuss” with projects and pictures of how my child’s school celebrates this wonderful day! I would love to hear how you and your children celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday! I have been a member of the PTO since my son started kindergarten. By being […]

Watch the magic of of oil and water painting—where art and science meet! This process art explores matter & mixtures, creating frame-worthy masterpieces.

My quest this year was to create a more organized, visually pleasing environment in our preschool classroom. My inspiration has come from various classes I've taken this year, inspirational teachers, cohort among local preschools, and of course, blogging! My research of other classrooms and personal aesthetic have led me to the Reggio Emilia approach to classroom environments. I do not claim to be a Reggio teacher. I have, however, learned to borrow bits and pieces from various pedagogical philosophies. I do love how Reggio classrooms are designed to be a beautiful third teacher. If the environment is set up right, the children will be more likely to be actively engaged with the materials. Actively engaged children are learning through play. When children are engaged in activities, teachers have more time to positively interact with the children, observe the learning in action, write down language, and take pictures. Documentation is a HUGE part of the Reggio Emilia approach, but that is another blog post entirely! In order to bring out the best of any classroom center, you must ask yourself. Are the materials easily accessible for young children? Are the materials clean and organized? Are they labeled with a picture and words (preferably in two languages)? How does the center encourage mathematical concepts? Writing? Inquiry? Socio-emotional development? Easy clean-up? Always ask yourself, "What else can this center offer? How can I make it better?" Remember: what works for one group of children may not work for another. I like to think that the classroom is never "done." There is always some project to add to your To-Do List to make your classroom the best learning environment possible. I met another teacher named Esther through my classes this semester who has challenged me to make the most out of my classroom environment. Esther allowed me to tour her center (which is a Reggio school), and even visited my classroom to give me tips. In return, I helped her with math. I completely got the better end of the deal! ;) She showed me how to look at the classroom from EVERY angle. Stand at the door way. Does your classroom look inviting? Does your classroom have an open layout? Are the centers clearly defined? Is it clear of clutter? Is there any furniture essentially blocking entrance to the classroom? Get down on your knees. This is the level that children stand at. Are materials easily within reach? Are the displays at eye level? Are the materials clean, organized and inviting? Stand in every corner of the room. Are there any areas not visible? Stand by a window. Is there a way to take advantage of the natural light? Could you maybe move the art center so that the easel is near a window? What about the science center? Look at the displays. Do you know the children, families, and teachers who share this space? Do you see pictures of the children? Are there unique pieces of art displayed in way that shows their work is valued? Is there anything to tell you what the children are studying this week besides the lesson plan? This brings us back to documentation. For more information on documentation in the Reggio Emilia approach, look here. This website has some wonderful insights on observation, assessment, and documentation. This writer gives tips on how they make learning visible. Look at the baskets. Are they bright, primary colors that detract from the brightly colored toys inside? Reggio environments typically take advantage of wicker baskets. You may also see containers that are either neutral in color or clear. Examples include: pie tins, glass jars, clear plastic containers, white, black or brown baskets, and metal containers. The point isn't that wicker baskets are better than plastic ones! Neutral colors make the materials more eye-catching, and eye-pleasing. Have a seat. Is there a space for an adult to comfortably sit? Parents should feel welcome in the classroom. How can they get comfortable? How is the lighting? Are there alternatives to florescent lights? (Think floor lamps, shelf lamps, aquarium lights, or even white Christmas lights)! Is there a way to allow more natural light into the classroom? I hope I've inspired someone to take another look at their early learning environment. This past year my classroom has changed quite a bit as I peek into what other people are doing around the world. What changes have you been inspired to make to your classroom? If you're interested in learning more about how to transform your preschool setting, consider reading Designs for Living and Learning: Transforming Early Childhood Environments by Deb Curtis and Margie Carter. It has gorgeous pictures of classrooms on every page! Happy playing! [email protected]

The first day of school is full of so many things: anticipation, wide-eyes, school supplies, new faces, maybe a few butterflies. And I...

Candy Loft is a minimal interior located in Toronto, Canada, designed by StudioAC

Image 18 of 32 from gallery of Library and Seminar Centre BOKU Vienna / SWAP Architekten + DELTA. Photograph by Hertha Hurnaus

Op zolder vond ik een aantal oude CD's en ik was benieuwd wat ik hier nog mee kon doen. Nou dat heb ik geweten! Genoeg te vinden op het wereldwijde web :) Hieronder 10 ideetjes met de link erbij. Op mijn Pinterest bord (klik hier) staan deze en andere CD ideetjes bij elkaar. 1. Mozaieken met een CD: http://momitforward.com/kids-craft-heart-mosaic Knip een CD voorzichtig in stukjes met een schaar en plak ze op. 2. Designs maken op een CD (van Pinterest): http://www.pinterest.com/pin/142356038198285733/ Zwart verven, met een potlood te design erop tekenen en dan de zwarte verf wegkrassen. 3. Weven met een CD: http://makeitawonderfullife.blogspot.nl/search/label/CD%20Weaving Op de site een complete uitleg hoe je dit kunt doen. 4. CD slak: http://www.craftymorning.com/cd-snail-craft-kids-make/ Teken het lijfje op gekleurd papier en knip deze uit. Trek de CD om op een gekleur papiertje en knip deze in een spiraal-vorm. Plak deze op het CDtje en versier 'm met bijvoorbeeld kraaltjes. 5. CD schildpad: http://www.lbrummer68739.net/2nd-grade-projects-gallery-2/hanging-cd-turtle/ Knip het patroon van de schildpad uit (zie: website). Plak twee CDs op het lijfje. Plak er oogjes op en versier de 'schild'. 6. Knutsel een fietsje met CD's: http://www.pragentemiuda.org/2014/03/lembrancinha-de-pascoa-reciclada.html (portugese website) Er staat geen duidelijke uitleg op de site, maar dit heb je nodig: IJslollystokjes, een boterbakje, CD's en een klein plastic cupje (van een toetje bijvoorbeeld). 7. Een spinner maken van een CD: http://deceptivelyeducational.blogspot.nl/2013/07/blending-colors-with-diy-tops.html Trek de CD om op een wit papiertje, knip deze uit en teken er 4 of 8 vakken op. Kleur de vakken in met twee kleuren die samen een andere kleur worden. Bijvoorbeeld geel en blauw wordt groen. Plak het ronde papiertje vast aan de doffe kant van de CD. Lijm een kleine knikker met een lijmpistool op het gat in de CD aan de glimmende kant. Doe nu wat lijm aan de kant van het gekleurde papiertje en plak een plastic dop bijvoorbeeld van de cola over het gat heen. Even laten drogen en spelen maar! 8. CD lieveheersbeestjes: http://craftsbyamanda.com/2013/07/recycled-cd-ladybugs.html Bekleed CDtjes met gekleurd papier of vilt en gebruik een papieren malletje om het gezichtje te maken. Zo zijn ze allemaal hetzelfde. Knip zwarte stippen uit en plak ze op het CDtje. Plak nu de wiebeloogjes erop. De oogleden kun je met een klein beetje verf maken. Tip: Laat ieder kind één lieveheersbeestje maken. Het eerste kind geeft het lieveheersbeestje één stip, de tweede twee stippen enz. Zo ben je tijdens het maken bezig met tellen en kun je ze later gebruiken als een telspelletje. 9. CD mobiles (van Pinterest): http://www.pinterest.com/pin/142356038198285571/ Teken op een CD met een permanent marker een mooi design. 10. CD vis: http://megastorytime.blogspot.nl/2012/01/crafter-day-fishes.html Maak van papier de staart, de vinnen en de mond. Plak het wiebeloogje op de vis en versier 'm verder met kraaltjes, figuurtjes, stickers of iets anders leuks. Ook leuk: laat kinderen confetti maken met een perforator. Deze kunnen ze ook op hun vis plakken. Veel knutselplezier ermee!

This project has the ambition of becoming a new model for media libraries The programme calls the functions of a media library into question, lending it..

We are LOVING the story of Frederick by Leo Lioni ,which we currently have on loan from the library. Since we've been sick sick sick fo...

Croatian based Radionica Arhitekture practice shares with us their contemporary solution for the Helsinki Central Library competition entry. From the Architects: We noticed that the Töölönlahti area is a special place in Helsinki, probably in the whole Finland