Teaching Preschool Partners

Teaching Preschool Partners TPP helps school districts grow strong early learning programs centered in playful learning. We crea

09/04/2026

Take a look inside Madeline's classroom in Beaverton for an inspiring glimpse into what's possible in a Playful Inquiry inspired public 2nd Grade. ✨

Letters of Intent are letters teachers write to families at the beginning of the year that share the teachers’ beliefs a...
09/01/2026

Letters of Intent are letters teachers write to families at the beginning of the year that share the teachers’ beliefs about children’s capacities and identify the key concepts and content children will be learning, and why they are important in today’s world. The letters help teachers to focus, think big, foster genuine connections between the children and the curriculum, and stay accountable to the school and the district without predetermining the pathways that will guide children’s exploration.

"Letters of Intent" is one of the free printable resources developed through a collaboration between Opal School and Project Zero. Those tools were preserved thanks to a grant from the Miller Foundation that has kept alive www.opalschool.org.

If you're interested in learning more about Tools for Inspiring Inventiveness, the link is in our bio.

Setting up your classroom for playful inquiry experiences this year? Searching for new ways to use common materials or n...
08/27/2026

Setting up your classroom for playful inquiry experiences this year? Searching for new ways to use common materials or new inspiration!

We have prepared a FREE downloadable list of materials!

This list is for anyone who might be interested in adding more materials to their classrooms or preparing budgets to buy supplies has a starting place. Use the link in our bio to download this free Suggested Materials List. We love feedback. Let us know if you have other ideas or suggestions for materials you would like to have in your educational spaces.

Jump into the mind of Melinda Hayward as she shares her journey of designing a new preschool classroom in an excerpt fro...
08/26/2026

Jump into the mind of Melinda Hayward as she shares her journey of designing a new preschool classroom in an excerpt from the Teaching Preschool Partners' Field Guide, Chapter 3. Melinda's dedication to creating a warm, welcoming, and participatory space for children is truly remarkable. You can read the full story form Melinda at the link in our bio.

08/22/2026

What if your daily observations could become one of your most powerful tools for seeing children's brilliance?

Documenting Learning with Habits of Mind is a formative assessment built for the moments you're already noticing: the paintbrush that pauses, the wondering out loud, the quiet perseverance. Grounded in neuroscience and shaped by real classroom experience, it helps you turn the documentation you're already doing into reports that highlight what children can do.

Endorsed by education programs across Oregon. Meets Preschool Promise criteria for formative assessment tools.

A year of partnership is $500/classroom for centers and $250 for family child care programs. We'd love to welcome your program to our 26-27 DLWHOM community! Message us to learn more.

We are excited to share this insightful guide on creating environments for playful inquiry in the classroom with you! Fr...
08/19/2026

We are excited to share this insightful guide on creating environments for playful inquiry in the classroom with you! From reflecting on classroom design principles to practical tips for creating a dynamic learning space, it's packed with helpful ideas. Use this tool to foster creativity, curiosity, and empathy in your students through the environments you create.

Link in bio 🔗

Keeping resources like this free and accessible is made possible by generous donors. Thank you for supporting our work!

08/15/2026

Summer's winding down, room prep is winding up! Stick around for some classroom environment inspiration.

The environments we inhabit truly matter! Our spaces can greatly influence our joy and creativity. ✨We've been exploring...
08/13/2026

The environments we inhabit truly matter! Our spaces can greatly influence our joy and creativity. ✨

We've been exploring ways to cultivate more joy in our classrooms, and one powerful approach is rethinking how we set them up! Check out this inspiring photo from Melinda Hayward, PreK Teacher in NCSD, showcasing her favorite spot in her classroom: the Science Lab.

Here's how she describes it:

"Our big world area is currently a science lab. We use trays with sections to place interesting specimens, insects, and spiders. There are magnifying glasses and goggles. There are tweezers and various tools for observation, lab coats, and scales."

Let's keep reimagining our learning spaces together! What's your students' favorite part of your classroom? Share with us in the comments!

"Through expertise, support, and passion, Teaching Preschool Partners has helped us create inclusive classrooms where ev...
08/11/2026

"Through expertise, support, and passion, Teaching Preschool Partners has helped us create inclusive classrooms where every child feels seen, valued, and celebrated. Our beautiful learning environments—designed with intention and care—reflect dedication to fostering curiosity and joy in every moment. Most importantly, the deep care and respect for children that permeates our school culture are a direct result of our extraordinary partnership with Teaching Preschool Partners. We are grateful!" - Sarah Dunkin, Principal GCCF

Setting up your room for the year? Don't skip the clay.Oil-based clay never dries out, never gets old, and never runs ou...
08/08/2026

Setting up your room for the year? Don't skip the clay.

Oil-based clay never dries out, never gets old, and never runs out of things to say. Let kids squish it, roll it, pull it apart. This guide in our resource library will walk you through every step.

Because eventually, "what can this do?" turns into "what story does this tell?"

What's the one material you can't start the year without?

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