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Hawkins, F. (1997). Journey with children: The auto­biography of a teacher. Boulder, CO: University Press.

Resource

For more information on Frances and David Hawkins, Activities for lower primary: Wheels, The Hawkins Room for Messing About with Materials and Ideas, and additional Hawkins-related resources, please visit: www.hawkinscenters.org/resources.


Concluding reflections
by author Mary Lynch

My journey with the Hawkinses began with personal revelations in a graduate classroom, and continues with the time I share with colleagues in the Hawkins Room at Boulder Journey School. It is because of the time that I spent working with wheels that I have a better understanding about ways to introduce ­scientific concepts to young children, to ask good questions, and to provide materials and provocations to support their learning about these concepts.

The words of Frances Hawkins speak to me about the value of exploring materials with other teachers, and I offer this quote as inspiration to others:

. . . good teaching depends on a teacher's own love, understanding, and continued pursuit of subject ­matter, whatever that may be. When teachers' lives have been deprived of any whole-hearted enjoyment of the things of the world that can engage young children, then a first priority in helping them, as we sought to do, must be to let them discover that enjoyment as adults. (Hawkins, 1997)


ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
MaryLynch is a teacher of three-year-old children at Boulder Journey School. She holds a BA in Anthropology from St. Lawrence University and an MA in Educational Psychology from the University of Colorado, Denver. In addition to teaching, Mary's role at Boulder Journey School includes supporting and documenting teachers' work in the Hawkins Room for Messing About with Materials and Ideas and collaborating on various projects that are being developed through Hawkins Centers of Learning. 

Lauren Foster Shaffer is an infant/toddler teacher and teacher educator at Boulder Journey School and a member of Hawkins Centers of Learning. Lauren is currently collaborating with other members of Hawkins Centers of Learning (www.hawkinscentersoflearning.org) to create an exhibit dedicated to the contemporary revival of socio-constructivist education as advocated and advanced by David and Frances Hawkins.

Ellen Hall is the founder and executive director of Boulder Journey School in Boulder, Colorado, and director of the Teacher Education Program developed at the school in partnership with the University of Colorado, Denver and the Colorado Department of Education. Ellen is a founder and partner in Videatives, Inc., an online professional development company. She is a founding board member of the North American ­Reggio Emilia Alliance and of Hawkins Centers of Learning, inspired by the work and lives of David and Frances Hawkins.


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