Final Version May 5 07

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Layla gets up and retrieves a book. The child asks again “can we do the top 10 foggiest
places” but as Layla looks in the book she says “but foggiest place is not in the book.”
She then says “let’s move along to our highs today”
Erica reads from the paper as Layla stands at a large map of the world with a pointer.
“Today it is 6 degrees and we will get to minus 6 tonight. Rain will turn to freezing rain.
We are seeing a lot of activity on our map today. Can anyone tell us which the coldest
place in the world is today?” As the child call out answers Layla points to them and Erica
gives the temperature of the place. One child calls out Churchill, but it is not the coldest
place. Another calls out Whitehorse but it also not the coldest place. Then another child
mentions a name that I could not decipher which was the coldest place (30 minus) and
Layla points to it on the map. A child then says “even when you spit it freezes when it
hits the ground.” There is much laughter as I am told that Erica “taught them that.” I am
struck here by the thought that these teachers are talking to the children as almost equals.
They have high expectations for these children and the children are meeting the
expectations. They seem to have incorporated the Reggio principle of the “Image of the
Child.”
Layla: OK what is the hottest place?
Child 1: Arizona?
Child 2: Acapulco?
Erica: Yes Acapulco is 33 degrees and sunny. In Halifax there is rain.
Child 1: Ice pellets
Child 3: Freezing rain
Child 2: I actually know where Reunion is