Educators from around the world look at Branches Atelier as a model of the highest level of early childhood education available. They travel from all corners of the globe to attend the lectures and workshops by Patricia Hunter McGrath in which she shares her 20 years of experience working in Reggio inspired environments.
The workshops are designed to support the learning of all educators, from novices to master teachers. Topics include “Intro to Reggio”, material explorations, environment as a third teacher, documentation, and community interactions.
Patricia Hunter McGrath consults locally, nationally and internationally with other schools and educators. The teachers give workshops, mentor other teachers and consult with other schools.
Evening meetings offer parents an opportunity to explore a wide range of topics from parenting issues to current research on human development.
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Branches Atelier Spring Reggio Workshop Series:
Hands on immersive, interactive workshops for educators and parents.
1) Exploring Literacy in a Reggio Inspired Classroom (A hands-on workshop)
Saturday February 4th 9am to 3pm
Presented by Patricia Hunter McGrath
- How is literacy integrated throughout the classroom?
- How are storybook journals introduced to the children?
- How does the use of story expand, deepen and extend the curriculum?
- How does poetry and poetic language support the children’s creativity and imagination? How are the techniques of poetry introduced to the children and parents?
- Why do we support a culture of oral storytelling?
- What are the techniques of oral storytelling?
- Why do children weave archetypes throughout their storytelling?
- How can parents support literacy at home?
2) Documentation: A Tool for Teacher Learning
(A hands-on workshop) Repeat due to popular demand
Sunday, February 12th, 9am to 3pm
Presented by Patricia Hunter McGrath
- How is documentation used to support teacher learning?
- How does the use of documentation support teachers’ reflective practice? What are the tools of documentation?
- How can documentation be used to uncover children’s ideas and theories? How is documentation used to reflect the social context of the classroom? How can documentation be used to build community?
3) The Atelier of Taste: Exploring the Language of Food (A hands-on workshop) All New
Saturday, March 10th, 9am to 3pm
Presented by Patricia Hunter McGrath and Becky Zlotoff
Join us for a very special workshop! We will start this workshop at the Santa Monica Farmers Market on Pico Blvd at 9am, then we will continue our workshop back at Branches. This workshop will include the cost of lunch that we will create together plus cutting board, knife, bowl and cruet. When we return to Branches participants will learn:
- What is the language of food?
- What are slow foods?
- What are the techniques and tools of tasting?
- How does the exploration of food extend and deepen children’s poetic language? How is food integrated in other areas of curriculum?
- How are different flavor combinations introduced to the children?
- How are herbs and spices introduced to the children?
- What is the current research on children and healthy eating?
- How does our local community support the children’s connection to food?
- What role do parents play in creating community through community lunches? What is an atelier of taste?
4) Light, Layers, Transparency and Transformation: Experiences and Materials to Extend and Deepen Children’s Learning
(A hands-on workshop) All New
Sunday March 18th 9am to 3pm
Presented by Patricia Hunter McGrath
*This workshop will be held at New School West*
12731 Venice Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90066-3710
- How does the use of light, layers and transparency become a tool for children’s learning?
- How can these materials be used by the children to build layers of complexity that support their learning?
- How are these materials introduced to the children?
- How do these materials support collaboration and negotiation among children?
- How do transparencies and mixed media support children’s creativity and imagination?
- What are the possibilities offered by a light table?
- What are the links between light, layers and transparency and the exploration of transformation? How can transparencies be used to create incredible environments?
- How does Light and transparency support literacy?
5) An Introduction to Reggio Repeat workshop (A hands-on workshop)
Saturday, March 24th, 9am to 3pm
Presented by Patricia Hunter McGrath
- What is the Reggio approach?
- What are the theoretical and philosophical roots of the Reggio approach? How can materials support children’s learning?
- How can a teacher be a researcher?
- How can our environment act as a third teacher?
- What is the role of time?
- How does wonder support creativity and imagination?
- What is the role of parents in a Reggio inspired school?
Branches Atelier Evening Spring Parent and Educator Workshops
Branches Atelier is happy to announce a new evening intensive workshop series for parents and teachers:
- Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills That Every Child Needs.
- Lessons From the Reggio Approach: How to Integrate the Reggio Approach Into Your Home A Three Part Series for Parents
6) Mind in the Making:
Seven Essential Life Skills That All Children Should Know
Monday February 27th 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Presented by Patricia Hunter McGrath
- What are the seven Essential life skills that all parents and teachers should know?
- How do these life skills support children’s learning and development?
- How do we create learning environments that support focus and self control in young children? How do we support communication and cognitive development?
- How do the seven life skills apply to the Reggio approach?
- How does making connections lie at the heart of children’s learning?
- How do we create an environment that supports self directed, engaged learning?
7) Reggio Parenting: How to Integrate the Reggio Approach Into Your Home A Three Part Interactive Series for Parents All New
Wednesday March 14th, 21st and 28th 7pm to 9pm
Presented by Patricia Hunter McGrath
I am happy to offer this new workshop series for parents. During our time together we will discuss the fundamentals of the Reggio approach and find ways to integrate Reggio ideas and principles into our parenting.
- What is the Reggio Approach?
- How can careful observation and reflective listening support respectful parent/child interactions? How do we create learning environments throughout the home that support focus and self control in young children?
- How can your image of your child support the development of autonomy and competency?
- How can we support children’s thinking, creativity and self-expression?
- How do we encourage flexibility and problem solving?
- How can we develop meaningful relationships within our families?
About the presenter
Patricia Hunter McGrath is currently the Director/Atelierista of Branches Atelier. Over the past 14 years she has developed an innovated early childhood program inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach. From 2005 to 2007 Patricia developed the role of the Atelierista at Bold Park Community School in Perth, Australia. From 1998 to 2005 she was the Atelierista at Evergreen Community School where she developed a unique approach to children’s symbolic languages. Using clay, wire, paint, dance, etc. children enter into relationship with the materials and express, clarify and modify their ideas and theories. She also taught at the Growing Place in Santa Monica for 7 years. Patricia is an artist and has over 20 years experience in Early Childhood Education. Patricia has taught the Reggio Emilia Class at Santa Monica College and at Murdoch University in Perth, Australia. Patricia graduated with a Masters degree in Human development from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, California. She also speaks at conferences throughout the United States and abroad and has visited Reggio Emilia, Italy six times. She is also a contributing author of the book In the Spirit of the Atelier published by Davis Press and Insights and Inspiration from Reggio Emilia also published by Davis Press.
Becky Zlotoff is a teacher at Branches Atelier. For the past two years she has been developing the Atelier of Taste, a unique program that introduces the language of food and flavor to young children. She graduated cum laude from St John’s College, Annapolis Maryland, after receiving a unique liberal arts education. She raised three sons and a daughter in Santa Monica and now enjoys spending time with her three granddaughters. After being a very involved parent in the Santa Monica Public Schools, she got her early childhood units from Santa Monica College.
Becky created and has taught a preschool program at Santa Monica Synagogue for twenty- five years. She has been a California Mentor for eight years, working in the classroom with college students, supporting the practical application of good early childhood practices. Fothe twelve years, she was a teacher at First Presbyterian Nursery School. In addition to attending many workshops about the Reggio Approach in the United States, she has been on two learning tours to Reggio Emilia, Italy. Becky has presented her work at many local workshops and at NAEYC. With Mary Hartzell and Ami Cohen, she co-authored the chapter “Parents As Partners” in Next Steps Toward Teaching The Reggio Way.