Views & Opinion
The classroom upside down - ‘La clase patas
arriba’ Comment by ALICIA BLANCO-BAYO, Early Years lecturer and consultant
Many of us use social media platforms to get ideas. We read about what other Early Years practitioners are doing and often get inspired to try out strategies that have worked in other settings. Isn’t it wonderful that we can enter so many learning environments by clicking a button? I came across a video on Facebook that
showed how you could create your own transparent easel by turning the classroom tables upside down and wrapping cling-film around the legs. I felt so curious about this that I contacted Sonia Rubio Rodriguez, the
Early Years teacher who filmed a group of 5-year olds doing a ‘very innovative painting activity’. The more I chatted to her the more I learnt about her true passion for Early Years. Her contribution to the world of Early Years from her little classroom in Colegio Juan Pablo II from Fundación Victoria in Malaga is certainly something those who have watched her video should know about. It all began one day when Sonia decided to be spontaneous and said
to the children in her class, “let’s turn the classroom upside down”. In a world where we are constantly being told to justify everything we do, Sonia was brave to offer children the opportunity to be creative without giving them too many instructions. She opened a whole new world of possibilities by allowing children to be curious. After all, shouldn’t we be preparing children for the unconventional events they will encounter in life? That was her intention, to let children show their talents by exploring the unknown. Such a range of learning outcomes came up from this experience, Sonia demonstrated that when children are given a chance, they show their full potential. A video that has had over 45 million views, practitioners from all
corners of the world have shared over 300,000 times and Neuroscience professionals have promoted amongst setting across the globe. The power of social media in this case made it possible for an idea born from the spontaneity of a teacher in Spain to go viral and benefit many children. It has had such an impact, it is certainly worth celebrating it with the people who started this chain. There is so much more we need to learn about the intentions behind this type of activity. Sonia’s philosophy and the hope she brings to the field of Early Years is what I am treasuring. Her aim is to support children so that they acquire the values that will make them unique individuals. She works with her team towards a goal that is now becoming common amongst Early Years professionals. She values spontaneous moments that teach children to express themselves in an ever-changing world. How do you think children felt when they were able to paint without being told what to paint or even how to paint it? When children could see what each other was doing through the transparent film and there was not a defined target to be achieved by all, they were given permission to flourish at their pace. Sonia Rubio Rodriguez makes this possible in her classroom every day. ‘La clase patas arriba’ was one of the many opportunities offered to children so that they develop emotional security and a strong sense of self-belief.
A red letter day
Comment by NICKY JOSLING, Head of Public Fundraising at Comic Relief
When we ask comedians, actors and celebrities to be part of a Red Nose Day campaign, the first thing they tend to say – after “Yes!” – is “I loved Red Nose Day when I was at school”. They then go on to share their memories of the leadership team dressing up as Spice Girls, the Beyoncé- inspired flash mob at lunchtime, student vs teacher lip sync battles, sponsored silences, teacher gunging… There’s no doubt that Red Nose Day is a
much-loved tradition in schools. And at a time of budget cuts and growing pressure on school leaders and teachers, I believe that fundraising events provide a valuable
opportunity to bring some extra happiness into school. Red Nose Day in particular combines something all young people love – laughing and having fun – with raising money for a great cause. Whether it’s dressing up, telling jokes, dancing, baking or performing,
fundraising activities are a great way to bring pupils, staff and the wider community together. Schools that encourage pupils to take responsibility
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www.education-today.co.uk
for planning, organising and setting up the day report added benefits for pupils’ sense of self-worth and self-esteem. Teachers regularly tell us stories of how Red Nose Day has given the most unexpected pupils an opportunity to shine, with a positive impact on their life skills, learning and behaviour. At the same time as having fun, everyone has the satisfaction of
knowing they’re doing something amazing to help others. Last Red Nose Day, schools and nurseries raised an astonishing £5 million to help disadvantaged families in the UK and the world’s poorest countries turn their lives around. For many children, fundraising for Red Nose Day is the first time that they realise they can make a difference in the world. This is reinforced by the Friday evening TV show, which not only helps them understand more about the lives of the people their money will support, but also makes them feel part of a wider, national movement for good. Beyond the fun and fundraising, Red Nose Day offers an inspirational
context for meaningful, purposeful learning. Comic Relief provides a range of curriculum-related resources, spanning subjects from English and maths to geography and PSHE. Teachers tell us that the immediacy and relevance of campaign stories act as a major motivator for pupils’ learning. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed and think that it will be difficult to
find time to collect in money for a non-uniform day, let alone to organise a day out of the ordinary, please reconsider. This could be your chance to be the teacher who creates the magical school memory; the thing that everyone talks about at the school reunion in 20 years from now. Join in on 15 March 2019 and help Comic Relief bake, dance, splat
and sing our way to a bigger fundraising total than ever. Visit
comicrelief.com/educationtoday to order your free fundraising pack.
January 2019
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