Chat Transcripts

Topic

Chat Session 1

Date

2025-05-20

Group ID

0

Course ID

299460

User List

Amado, SarahBerres, AnnieFithian Ruby, AllisonRude, LindaSchmitt, Jo{Carter, Wendy}
User Timestamp Message
{Carter, Wendy}06:49:05 pmHi Linda, welcome! 🙂
Rude, Linda06:50:22 pmHi. Wendy. Thanks. Looking forward to this class.
{Carter, Wendy}06:50:55 pmI'm glad to hear that! Me too!
{Carter, Wendy}06:55:51 pmWe are a small class (only 5) but hopefully others will be logging on soon!
Rude, Linda06:56:55 pmokay.
{Carter, Wendy}06:57:33 pmWelcome Annie! Glad you are here!
Berres, Annie06:58:01 pmHello! Annie has joined the chat!
{Carter, Wendy}06:58:14 pmYay!
{Carter, Wendy}06:58:58 pmHas it been a rainy, chilly day where you are both from today?
Rude, Linda06:59:52 pmYes. I am from Moorhead, MN
Berres, Annie07:00:04 pmYes, rained all day, happy it came!
Amado, Sarah07:00:16 pmHello!!
{Carter, Wendy}07:00:19 pmThings are really greening up, which is fun!
{Carter, Wendy}07:00:26 pmHello Sarah! Welcome to class!
Amado, Sarah07:00:31 pmThank you 🙂
{Carter, Wendy}07:00:57 pmWelcome Allison! Glad you have joined us! 🙂
Fithian Ruby, Allison07:01:19 pmHi it’s Allison Ruby here. Im sitting in the ER with my 89 y.o. mom who just fell and broke her pelvis so it’s been a day 🫤
{Carter, Wendy}07:01:35 pmOh no, Allison! I'm so sorry to hear that!
Amado, Sarah07:01:36 pmSorry to hear that Allison 🙁
Fithian Ruby, Allison07:01:50 pmStuck here waiting for a room so good to have something to do
{Carter, Wendy}07:02:09 pmJust let us know if you need to attend to her!
{Carter, Wendy}07:02:15 pmHello Jo! Welcome!
Rude, Linda07:02:24 pmSorry to hear that Allison.
Schmitt, Jo07:02:51 pmHi
{Carter, Wendy}07:03:09 pmWell, it looks like our small but mighty class has all arrived! Happy to have you all here tonight!
Fithian Ruby, Allison07:03:11 pmThanks I talked to doc so shouldn’t need to step out
{Carter, Wendy}07:03:31 pmAllison - thanks... but know that we understand if that changes. 🙂
Fithian Ruby, Allison07:04:03 pm✨✨thanks
{Carter, Wendy}07:04:10 pmWelcome to Observation & Documentation: Using Program Information for Decision-Making! That is a mouthful, lol.
Amado, Sarah07:04:27 pmWoohoo!
Fithian Ruby, Allison07:04:29 pm👏 👏 👏
{Carter, Wendy}07:04:54 pmAs you can see, we are a small class of 5 participants and me. So we will be a cozy little group these next few weeks. I'm excited to be here with you all.
{Carter, Wendy}07:05:23 pmI'd like to start off with some introductions. I will start, and then I invite you to share a bit about yourselves, as well.
{Carter, Wendy}07:06:01 pmI've been training in the field of early childhood for a LONG time. :). I took a little break the last 3 years but I am happy to be back and have missed it!
{Carter, Wendy}07:06:40 pmI have held several roles in the field in several systems, including ECFE, Head Start, in roles of teacher, parent educator, trainer, professional development facilitator.
{Carter, Wendy}07:07:45 pmI am looking forward to doing my own contractor work within a new LLC I have started up, which includes both training for EC educators as well as parent ed. My husband and I have a blended family with 4 adult daughters and 3 grandchildren, 1 more on the way! Yay!
{Carter, Wendy}07:08:13 pmWho would like to go next?
Fithian Ruby, Allison07:08:21 pmHi everyone. I have a home preschool childcare in Richfield. Waldorf inspired/naturebased/emergent curriculum. Was a Waldorf teacher for many years. Had to retire due to medical issues. now back to teaching via home EC program
Berres, Annie07:08:50 pmHello, I’m Annie, the founder and teacher at Kind Roots Early Learning & Care, we opened in 2022. We’re a nature-based, play-driven program that follows an emergent curriculum, meaning we let children’s interests and seasonal rhythms guide our learning.
{Carter, Wendy}07:08:51 pmSounds so interesting, Allison!
Berres, Annie07:09:10 pmAllison, it sounds like we ha a lot in common! so glad your here!
{Carter, Wendy}07:09:11 pmI love that, Annie!
{Carter, Wendy}07:09:19 pmI was just going to say that, Annie!
Fithian Ruby, Allison07:09:41 pmThinking same thing! < Googling now…>
Amado, Sarah07:09:43 pmHello! My name is Sarah, but most people call me SJ. I am one of the founding teachers of Minneapolis Nature Preschool. It sounds like our school has a lot in common with many others here!! We had a lot of fun out in the rain today!
Rude, Linda07:09:51 pmI am a Toddler Teacher. I amber teaching for 30+ years. I work at Trinity Preschool.
{Carter, Wendy}07:10:06 pmThanks Sarah! So interesting, the connections already starting!
Schmitt, Jo07:10:12 pmHi - I am Jo. I have a family child care just got to the three year mark. I am new to the observation and documentation.
{Carter, Wendy}07:10:26 pmLinda - wow, thank you for sharing all of those years and your expertise with those lucky kids! 🙂
Rude, Linda07:10:43 pmThanks.
{Carter, Wendy}07:11:02 pmWow, Jo - that's wonderful! We so need new people in the field. We are so glad you are joining and we are all learning together!
Berres, Annie07:11:29 pmSJ I have met you alongside Allison before! i'm always so impressed with the team at MNP! so glad your here!
Fithian Ruby, Allison07:11:37 pmSarah, I volunteer as a master gardener over at Anwatin community garden.
{Carter, Wendy}07:11:56 pmThanks everyone! I am really excited to get to know each of you a little bit better over the next few weeks. We are going to have a great group! 🙂
Amado, Sarah07:12:33 pmAnnie! Thank you, what a lovely thing to say. I'm glad you're here too. Allison, WE LOVE OUR MASTER GARDENERS at Anwatin <3 <3 <3
Fithian Ruby, Allison07:12:52 pmHi Annie 👋
Berres, Annie07:12:53 pmI cant wait to hear what everyone has to share the next couple of weeks!
{Carter, Wendy}07:13:04 pmCould you each share just a bit about your experience with Eager to Learn classes, and also your familiarity and use of assessment/observation & documentation?
{Carter, Wendy}07:13:25 pmIt helps me to know where we are all starting.
Amado, Sarah07:14:25 pmWe just started utilizing a new assessment tool this year I'm still getting acquainted with and then we've been using the ECIPS for observations, documentation, etc. for years.
Amado, Sarah07:14:52 pmThis is my second Eager-to-Learn class in this chat format!
Fithian Ruby, Allison07:15:12 pmI have only done ETL self paced or in person classes but comfortable with this format. (Wish it were zoom tho have to admit).
{Carter, Wendy}07:15:14 pmThanks Sarah!
Berres, Annie07:15:15 pmI have most my team, do their yearly trainings virtually through Eager to Learn, personally like it and find it easy to attend
Rude, Linda07:15:22 pmI have done quite a few cases with Eager to Learn. We use Teaching Strategies for conferences. We have observation papers that we write on to document things we observe.
Schmitt, Jo07:16:05 pmI am in the middle of a BQ with Parent aware getting to know more on how to observe and how to do the documentation. Newer to the ECIPs and ALL that is there.
{Carter, Wendy}07:16:45 pmGreat everyone! Thank you so much.
{Carter, Wendy}07:17:24 pmSome of you have touched on this already, but what kinds of tools/resources are you using to document your observations of students at this point?
Fithian Ruby, Allison07:18:12 pmI am here as a tool to find more consistent/formal approach to documentation and assessment in the FCC setting (outside svhool setting) while staying true to my approach to teaching & working with children
Schmitt, Jo07:18:28 pmI got the Redleaf assessment tool booklet and going to start working/looking there.
Rude, Linda07:18:28 pmthe pad of paper we use for observation we got from Eager to learn.
Amado, Sarah07:19:09 pmI've experimented with a lot of different ways of documenting observations over the years!
Rude, Linda07:19:16 pmI meant to say Parent Aware.
{Carter, Wendy}07:19:22 pmAllison - I love that you mentioned consistency. So important in assessment. But hard to do sometimes!
Amado, Sarah07:20:21 pmAbsolutely. I think that's why I appreciate the differences between assessments and documentation. You can be more creative with the latter.
Rude, Linda07:20:22 pmI have also used a plain piece of paper on a clipboard to document as well.
Schmitt, Jo07:20:50 pmFor me I feel I observe all the time but it the writing down/documenting that is hard.
{Carter, Wendy}07:20:49 pmLinda - sometimes it is the simple tools that work the best! 🙂
Rude, Linda07:21:03 pm I agree
Amado, Sarah07:21:09 pmWe started using Work Sampling System this year and it's seasonal - so we do the assessment three times a year.
Fithian Ruby, Allison07:21:16 pmI use brightwheel, private parent social media groups, nature journals, weekly newsletter, informal conversation, to communicate and document both individual and group learning. I take my own notes and because of intimacy of group size mostly an ongoing communication with families
Berres, Annie07:21:26 pmAt Kind Roots, assessment is all about understanding and supporting each child’s unique journey through careful observation, reflection, and documentation. After reading Gaye Gronlund’s Focused Portfolios, I fell in love with the idea of capturing authentic moments of learning through photos, quotes, and stories. That inspiration led to what we now call Seasonal Collections, a more personalized and program-aligned version that we have woven into the rhythm of our year. These collections highlight each child’s growth across seasons, connect to the Minnesota ECIPs, and celebrate who they are through real experiences in our nature-based and play-driven environment. Instead of using checklists or tests
{Carter, Wendy}07:21:32 pmJo - I am guessing that many could relate to what you said!
Amado, Sarah07:21:51 pmI love that Annie!!
Berres, Annie07:22:02 pmwe use Brightwheel too!!!!
Amado, Sarah07:22:19 pmVery Reggio too - there are so many beautiful ways to share with families what we're learning together.
{Carter, Wendy}07:22:32 pmWow, Annie. That sounds fabulous! I am so excited to learn from all of YOU!
Schmitt, Jo07:22:49 pmOr even just being aware of what is in the ECIPs to know what I am really looking for in the children.
{Carter, Wendy}07:23:30 pmThat is a great goal, Jo. The ECIPs contain a lot of information, but so helpful in understanding those milestones. And being intentional to use them as we observe and plan.
{Carter, Wendy}07:24:52 pmSo let's chat a bit about the connection between observation, assessment, and documentation. How do all of these together help us understand a child's development?
Schmitt, Jo07:26:35 pmby knowing what skill or development needs to be work on or when intervention needs to set up before its too late.
Berres, Annie07:27:04 pmHeads up, I think its important to know that our program is year around, full time (730-430) and has a ratio of 14:3, I think this is important to know as I share, as some things I mention might not be transferable to other programs
Fithian Ruby, Allison07:27:21 pmWhen in the thick of things day after day you notice milestones or special moments of learning, but need to step back for big picture and the journey, I think documentation can help with that. Observing children, for me is integral to my teaching practice.
{Carter, Wendy}07:27:27 pmThanks, Annie
Amado, Sarah07:27:29 pmI used to be sort of anti-assessment to be honest. I felt uncomfortable with checking off a checklist - I like to use different tools for observations, photos/writings/art work/recordings but documenting is my favorite because I'm so visual. Lists are boring! Ha! But with time doing formal assessments now I definitely see the value in being able to support our children's development holistically. Especially for children who need additional support!
Amado, Sarah07:28:26 pmI'm glad to be hear for that reason because we have experts on our staff in making these connections and I'd like to increase my knowledge!
{Carter, Wendy}07:28:26 pmI can understand your perspective, Sarah. Thanks for being honest! 🙂
Amado, Sarah07:28:34 pm*here
Rude, Linda07:28:35 pmObserving a child and then documenting what we see helps us to see where a child is and that will help us to communicate to parents. It also helps us to see if the parent have observed their child differently . Together we can help the child grow and learn.
{Carter, Wendy}07:29:13 pmOh, that's an amazing statement, Linda! Working with the parent, being partners in the child's learning. So important!!
Amado, Sarah07:29:27 pmYes, Linda! <3
{Carter, Wendy}07:29:38 pmAnd to compare observations and discuss those for the benefit of the child.
Schmitt, Jo07:29:44 pmIts so important to work as a team with parents.
{Carter, Wendy}07:30:36 pmThat's a great segue... please share how you do involve families in observations, documentation, assessment. What is the role that parents play?
Berres, Annie07:31:01 pmI couldn't agree more Sarah, I also felt that it didn't leave for collaboration with families and they can feel overly subjective and missus the full picture of the child
Amado, Sarah07:32:25 pmWe do not share our WSS assessments with the families. We keep them for our own records and to help us guide/scaffold our learning. We include the parents in goal-setting and send many different modes/methods of observations and documentation with families!
Schmitt, Jo07:33:40 pmI feel getting the parents on the same page working together on something can only benefit the child and the family later on.
{Carter, Wendy}07:33:39 pmThanks for your mention of including parents in setting goals, Sarah. And ways they can help be a part of observation. They play a key role, don't they!
Rude, Linda07:33:46 pmWe do conferences twice a year and we talk about what we have observed. I will ask them if they have noticed anything differently then we have. We also talk with parent at he end of the day as well as when they get dropped off.
Fithian Ruby, Allison07:34:00 pmIt’s more informal at
Amado, Sarah07:34:02 pmWe are getting ready for our graduations now and we have a tradition of introducing photography with film and non-digital cameras and the children do their own documentation. We put together a gallery at graduation and it is a special way to share with the families what we/the children observe!
{Carter, Wendy}07:34:38 pmSo important, Jo. Being on the same page. Working together - that's where it's at.
{Carter, Wendy}07:35:13 pmLinda - sometimes that informal conversation at drop-off and pick up can be a source of so much good information.
Fithian Ruby, Allison07:35:21 pmIt’s more informal around here because so small a group. Constant checking in and conversation. I think full day FCC format makes it more collaborative but any same time parents look to me to have answers and handle things. T
Berres, Annie07:35:25 pmwe meet with families in the beginning, and we send out a form online called "portrait of child" for them to fill out before the family starts, and the we will meet again seasonlly and talk about goals, some families do you like to see the ecips and find it important to them, we will leave it open for discussion and it it is inclueded within the childs portfolio however some families will choose to talk about other goals or hear about the other forms we have included
{Carter, Wendy}07:35:43 pmSarah - children get to take pictures?
Amado, Sarah07:36:00 pmYes, the children are the photographers 🙂
Amado, Sarah07:36:23 pmWe also put the ECIPS in our conference report and in our bi-monthly newsletters because some families like reading them.
{Carter, Wendy}07:36:34 pmThat's so cool! I heard about that idea in a video in a training awhile back. I bet it is so great to see their perspective of what they choose to photograph.
Berres, Annie07:36:40 pmwow realizing how slow of a typer i am, don't mind me posting late to the discussion every time! just laughing at myself.....
{Carter, Wendy}07:37:44 pmNo worries, Annie! Just value your input. :). Those family meetings i'm sure give you so much helpful information.
{Carter, Wendy}07:38:09 pmOh, Sarah - love that idea of the ECIPS in newsletters and conference reports. Great idea.
Amado, Sarah07:38:31 pmIt is one of my all time favorite projects of the year. We dedicate our graduation gallery to Gordon Parks who is from MN and helps us celebrate Black history year round!!! Love the photographs they come up with and what they find important.
{Carter, Wendy}07:38:56 pmI wish these posts had a "like" button, lol!
Schmitt, Jo07:39:14 pmSarah is there are a form you go by of what you share or just what you are working on for the month/week?
Rude, Linda07:39:16 pmWe use ProCare to document the day. Parents are good at sending us messages on there if they have question or concerns. they will even text us as well. We have open communication.
{Carter, Wendy}07:39:50 pmEveryone - this is all great. I can see that our time is going to fly by every week! I so appreciate your comments to each other as well! 🙂
Amado, Sarah07:39:52 pmMy boss Alyson Quinn came up with that one! I think it helps, too, because we are a nature-based school some families don't understand the academics behind child-led learning, play-based learning and emergent curriculum.
Schmitt, Jo07:40:18 pmWendy, me too wish there was must more personable to the chat option.
{Carter, Wendy}07:40:23 pmYes!
{Carter, Wendy}07:40:39 pmWell, I do want to just touch on a couple housekeeping items here at the end, as we only have 5 minutes left!
Schmitt, Jo07:40:51 pmor to see who is typing. 🙂
{Carter, Wendy}07:41:18 pmFor week 2, the discussion boards will begin. Just a reminder that the first post is due on Sunday, and then 3 additional posts to others by end of the day on Tuesday.
Amado, Sarah07:41:21 pmJo, we have a curriculum created by our teachers, but we're also guided by the children and nature more than anything. They inspire what we study.
{Carter, Wendy}07:42:11 pmSince we are a small group, it is helpful if people are able to start those 3 posts right away, if possible. It is challenging with a small group if everyone waits until the last minute, if that makes sense. 🙂
Rude, Linda07:42:12 pmokay
Schmitt, Jo07:42:22 pmSarah, I agree with the child lead. It happens more often that not. 🙂
{Carter, Wendy}07:42:36 pmWe also have 2 videos and a reading, for parts of the assignment this week.
{Carter, Wendy}07:42:49 pmDo any of you have any questions about the assignments/activities for week 2?
Rude, Linda07:42:59 pmno
{Carter, Wendy}07:43:00 pmOr anything else with the class?
Amado, Sarah07:43:03 pmNo questions. Thanks so much!
Rude, Linda07:43:10 pmthanks.
Schmitt, Jo07:43:23 pmexcited to learn more and from each other.
Fithian Ruby, Allison07:43:39 pmLooking forward to learning with and from you all.
Rude, Linda07:43:40 pmIagree
Fithian Ruby, Allison07:43:53 pmJinx!
{Carter, Wendy}07:43:54 pmEveryone - I am SO excited for this class!! I can sense your passion and energy for the work you do. Please don't hesitate to reach out via email if you have questions at any time.
Rude, Linda07:44:15 pmThanks Wendy
Berres, Annie07:44:30 pmThank you! cant wait for next time!
Schmitt, Jo07:44:34 pmthanks Wendy!
Amado, Sarah07:44:41 pmThis was fun. Glad to chat with you all!
{Carter, Wendy}07:44:42 pmI can't wait to read your posts this week. And then "see" you all back here for our next chat next Tuesday!! Have a great week everyone! Thank you for tonight!
Fithian Ruby, Allison07:44:58 pmGood night everyone!
Rude, Linda07:45:13 pmgood night. See you on Tuesday.
Berres, Annie07:46:19 pmwill this chat save?
{Carter, Wendy}07:46:44 pmYes, I believe the transcript will save. Good question! That was the case when I trained ETL 3 years ago! 🙂