As we gear up for our 4th Annual Early Literacy Network Buffet, we are grateful to take a moment to reflect on the fantastic year that is coming to a close. As you mark your calendars for February 22, 2014, we invite you to read below and reflect on 2013's offering, "Nurturing Lifelong Learning." We hope that all of our participants kept the spirit of the day alive throughout the year, and we look forward to sharing news about next year's professional development opportunity!
The
2013 ELN Buffet explored how educators remain open and alive to new
experiences, to learning, and to self-reflection. “Nurturing
Lifelong Learning,” the theme of this day of celebration and professional
development, began with a festive spread by the SFPL’s Mint Café, and a brief
showcase of services offered by member organizations of the San Francisco Early
Literacy Network.
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| Christy Estrovitz shares the wealth of services provided by San Francisco Public Library. |
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| Jo McConnell shares the many exciting resources at Raising A Reader. |
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| Lynne Mayes informs us about Pulsing Word and the Screen Actor's Guild BookPALS activities. |
An
engaging and inspiring keynote speech by Betty Pazmiño, Early
Education Program Specialist with SFUSD,
invited each of us to reflect upon what we bring as individuals to our work
with children, and how best to foster curiosity in the children with whom we
work. This deep exploration of what it
truly means to nurture lifelong learning in children and in our selves set the
tone for meaningful and intentional engagement in the three breakout sessions
that followed.
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| Alli Cuentos of Jamestown Community Center and Pulsing Word Consulting gives a warm and vibrant introduction to Betty Pazmiño |
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Betty Pazmiño, our dynamic keynote speaker.
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| Nurturing Lifelong Learning. |
Amy
Perry (San Francisco Public Library) and Jo McConnell (Raising A Reader) led a
session entitled “Self-Reflection,” which encouraged educators to value each other
as resources for lifelong learning. The
process of reflection, used intentionally as a tool, can deeply support both
professional and personal growth. This
session led educators to examine why and how they make decisions, how to break
down barriers to problem-solving, and build new connections with their
peers.
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| Jo McConnell and Amy Perry lead the Self-Reflection session. |
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| Betty Pazmiño and participants in meaningful discussion. |
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| Dynamic discussion. |
The Bookmaking workshop,
led by Catherine Aranda (Jumpstart), with assistance from Jude Deckenbach
(First Book) gave everyone the opportunity create their own book. In this
session, educators explored different types of bookmaking projects, using
various materials - everything that can be found in the classroom or in nature.
Everyone had fun sharing ideas while they made books on their subject of
choice: ABCs, Shapes, Colors, you name it!
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| Catherine Aranda of Jumpstart making it happen. |
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| Jude Deckenbach of First Book San Francisco in discussion with the group. |
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| Making books! |
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| Making books! |
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| Making books! |
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| Making books! |
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| Making books! |
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| Making books! |
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| Making books! |
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| Making books! |
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| Making books! |
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| Making books! |
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| Making books! |
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| Making books! |
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| Making books! |
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| Making books! |
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| Making books! |
The third session offered
a two-part learning opportunity, focusing on the benefits of practicing yoga
and massage for children. “Yoga for Kids:
Building Strength, Flexibility, and Wellness from the Inside Out” and “Squeeze
Me! Massage Techniques for Self-Care and Beyond,” led by Pulsing Word consultants
Lynne Maes and Alli Cuentos, added an “embodied” approach to learning. In this session, participants learned a
simple series of yoga poses and massage strokes to help foster focus and
concentration, self-regulation, and breath awareness—in both adults and
children alike. Educators were
introduced to techniques that support the immune system, brain development, and
stimulate and support learning, and how they can be integrated into the early
care environment.
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| Lynne Mayes and Alli Cuentos of Pulsing Word facilitate this calming and invigorating workshop. |
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| Yoga and massage for children and families. |
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| Yoga and massage for children and families. |
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| Yoga and massage for children and families. |
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| Yoga and massage for children and families. |
The day’s activities were
concluded with a Family Dance Party in the Children’s Center, led by Pulsing
Word, in which educators got an opportunity to participate in music and
movement activities that foster learning through play! A generous gift bag of books, along with a
certificate of professional development, were presented to all who attended,
with our heartiest thanks for making the day such a success and a joy for all.
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| Family Dance Party! |
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| Family Dance Party! |
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| Family Dance Party! |
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| Every participant received a bag full of top-notch children's books and other learning materials. |
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| Lynne, Amy, Catherine, Christy, Jude, Alli, Jo, and Brian (not pictured) reflect on the day and start planning for next year! |
The Early Literacy Network thanks the Mimi and Peter Haas Fund for contributing to the book giveaway, our member organizations, Bring Me a Book Foundation,
Children’s Book Project, First Book San Francisco, Jamestown Community Center, Jumpstart-Bay Area,
Project Read, Pulsing Word Consulting, Raising A Reader-Bay Area, Screen Actors
Guild BookPALS, SFPL Early Literacy Mobile, and of course Children and Youth Services of the San Francisco Public Library and the leadership of Christy Estrovitz, who make this event
possible.
Text by Lynne Mayes. Photos and captions by Brian Castagne.
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