Wendy Lee – Christchurch March 2023

Held at The Garden Hotel, Christchurch

Three workshops to be held on Tuesday 7 and Friday 10 March.

Wendy Lee is a passionate advocate for both e-portfolios and paper-based portfolios because of her long involvement with Learning Stories (Carr & Lee, 2012 & 2019). She believes both types of portfolios are advantageous, but for different reasons. Paper-based portfolios are critical for young children, whereas e-portfolios are primarily for adults (i.e., parents and whānau). Wendy is deeply interested in developing documentation that is central to building the learner identity of the child. This is not achieved when documentation is carried out primarily to meet accountability measures. Sometimes technology hinders engagement and the reflective analysis needed for developing deep connections. Wendy believes that the courage of teachers and those working directly with children will ensure the wider values of education are protected, and that everyone in the learning community has the opportunity to be the very best they can be, thereby realizing possibilities that may have been unimaginable in the past. To achieve this, it is increasingly important that we make visible the joy, wonder and magic we experience as teachers to children and their families. This will ensure that we all keep our moral and ethical responsibilities alive as we strive to make a difference for these learning communities.

I believe art should have a central place in an early childhood setting, hence this workshop will explore both the barriers and the enablers around building children’s identities as artists. There are many debates around ‘process versus product’ and sometimes these discussions can obscure the picture and limit the possibilities. Art is about many things including: wonder and discovery, art appreciation, artistic and perceptual awareness, observation and close attention, cognitive and affective growth, and the development of artistic skills. It involves a wide range of experiences (e.g. drawing, painting, clay work, needlecraft, sewing, mosaics, print making, construction work and visiting art galleries). But first and foremost, we want children to explore art in a way that will engage them in creative experiences and strengthen their image of themselves as being an artist.
We will also consider the ways in which art can be assessed and documented. Examples of Learning Stories will be shared that illuminate the child’s learning journey with art and which show how we can nurture the foundation of artistic engagement in children for the rest of their lives.

Relationships are at the heart of learning. This workshop will be an opportunity to revisit the work of Learning Stories and to see how others are using this work to reify the uniqueness of each child and to develop our authenticity, passion for life, joy and creativity. Learning Stories provides the vehicle by which we can transform our relationships with children, families and teachers’ while deepening our reflections to demonstrate authentic teaching that makes a real difference. Learning Stories also provides the framework for incorporating planning and evaluation in thoughtful and powerful ways. Carla Rinaldi says: “It is a difficult path that requires effort, energies, hard work, and sometimes suffering, but it also offers wonder, amazement, joy, enthusiasm, and passion.” Learning Stories can provide you with a real opportunity to make visible the value of learning and teaching in your community. And it raises professionalism, develops enthusiasm for teaching and provides a powerful trace of your professional life.

We will explore how Learning Stories:

• Makes learning visible
• Strengthens relationships
• Builds the identity of the learner
• Engages the whānau
• Supports transitions
• Evolves into Planning Stories
• Grows a Community of Learners
• Embeds Internal Evaluation
• Integrates the Professional Growth Cycle
• Provides opportunities for Appraisal
• Provides opportunities for all to contribute
• Contributes to Accountability

We will also consider the ways in which art can be assessed and documented. Examples of Learning Stories will be shared that illuminate the child’s learning journey with art and which show how we can nurture the foundation of artistic engagement in children for the rest of their lives.

Only $240.00 per person for all 3 workshops!

If these ideas are interesting to you and you wish to explore them more, then join us for some thoughtful and reflective thinking about how to rediscover your passion for early childhood education!