WHAT IS A PROTON?
Scientifically, a proton is part of an atom, the building block of all ordinary matter. Protons are tiny, positively-charged particles found at the nucleus, or center, of every element in our universe. These elements are composed of one type of atom, which cannot be broken down into a simpler substance. These atoms consist of protons and neutrons in the center, with electrons moving around the nucleus to provide stability and connect to other atoms.
In a similar way, we believe that PROTONs are at the center of all quality early childhood centers. They are positive components at the heart of these programs, but because they are so small, it can be difficult to see without the right tools. The intent of these trainings is to serve as your guide to magnify your protons and increase the positive elements of your work with young children.
These PROTONs have been designed to support the practices in your classroom, and help build on the positive foundations established in your center. By breaking down these elements into their smallest pieces, we can help you maximize the impact on children’s early learning.
In a similar way, we believe that PROTONs are at the center of all quality early childhood centers. They are positive components at the heart of these programs, but because they are so small, it can be difficult to see without the right tools. The intent of these trainings is to serve as your guide to magnify your protons and increase the positive elements of your work with young children.
These PROTONs have been designed to support the practices in your classroom, and help build on the positive foundations established in your center. By breaking down these elements into their smallest pieces, we can help you maximize the impact on children’s early learning.
So, what are the other pieces of PROTONs? We have identified a periodic table of 9 elements critical to best practice. These are the building blocks of quality early learning programs, consistent with research-based evaluative tools: Beliefs, Values, and Attitudes; Intentional Planning; Physical Environment; Learning Environment; Teaming and Role Responsibility; Utilizing Technology; Keeping it Fresh; Executive Function; and The Mentally Healthy Classroom for Very Young Children.
Within these elements are the PROTONs themselves: positive pieces of quality practice common in all programs. These are at the nucleus of your program. The goal of these trainings, again, is to highlight the positive pieces of your program and grow into even stronger, more powerful elements.
WHAT ARE THE FIVE E's or ELECTRONS?
All the PROTONs we have identified share the same 5 electrons: Engage, Examine, Energize, Express, and Extend. Each PROTON has been developed to take approximately an hour to complete, utilizing multi-media, interactive tools to encourage reflective practice.
1. Engage—The goal of this electron is to serve as an introduction to the PROTON, and contains content focusing on the key concepts and objectives for learning. This may include a brief reading, video, or audio clip to introduce specific content related to the PROTON and Element at large.
2. Examine—involves applying the information from the Engage to a hypothetical example, including some sort of activity to apply the content from Engage to a common example/shared scenario, with feedback, rationale, and support to guide learning.
3. Energize—involves an interactive element specific to your classroom site. You will have the opportunity to take the content from Engage and the practice from Examine to apply to your own setting through some sort of specific experience.
4. Express—gives you an opportunity to reflect upon the previous three electrons, sharing knowledge about what was learned, what went well, or what you would do differently.
5. Extend—provides you with additional resources, including book or article recommendations, videos, or websites to further your professional learning.
2. Examine—involves applying the information from the Engage to a hypothetical example, including some sort of activity to apply the content from Engage to a common example/shared scenario, with feedback, rationale, and support to guide learning.
3. Energize—involves an interactive element specific to your classroom site. You will have the opportunity to take the content from Engage and the practice from Examine to apply to your own setting through some sort of specific experience.
4. Express—gives you an opportunity to reflect upon the previous three electrons, sharing knowledge about what was learned, what went well, or what you would do differently.
5. Extend—provides you with additional resources, including book or article recommendations, videos, or websites to further your professional learning.
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