Environments and Materials

We’ve curated a collection of resources from our Teaching Preschools, Opal School and other curious minds for you to explore. Use these images, stories, tools, videos and articles as a spark — we hope you’ll find inspiration. This collection is intended to invite you to think alongside us about what happens when materials are used for tools for thinking within classroom environments.

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Exploring Color

Exploring Color

Black line Drawing: Where do I start?

Black line Drawing: Where do I start?

The Wonder of Intelligent Materials

The Wonder of Intelligent Materials

FROM THE OPAL ARCHIVE: This video shares images from Opal School classrooms of children working with a variety of different materials.Read More.
Designing a new preschool classroom

Designing a new preschool classroom

A STORY FROM THE FIELD By Melinda Hayward, Prescott Teaching Preschool Designing a new preschool classroom (excerpt from the Field Guide Chp. 3) “These are…Read More.
Setting the Table with Watercolors

Setting the Table with Watercolors

FROM THE OPAL ARCHIVE: 09/2019 – Written by Matt Karlsen, Director of Opal School’s Center for Learning To learn more or connect with Matt directly,…Read More.
Going to Materials

Going to Materials

FROM THE OPAL ARCHIVE: 01/2017 – Written by Opal School teacher researcher Hannah Chandler One day recently, 4-year old Eliza was busy with an array…Read More.