Choosing and Using Curriculum

Janet Bassingthwaite

Curriculum in early childhood is: the entire range of experiences that

children have ◦Environment◦Activities◦Learning outcomes/objectives

What does Curriculum Mean?

Research findings:◦Many factors impact the quality and impact of ECE programs, one of the most influential (and maybe easiest to control) is the curriculum.

Why do we need curriculum?

Based on: Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)

◦ knowledge of child development Early Learning Guidelines Pre-K Standards

◦ careful observation of the needs and interests of individual children Design activities and spaces around this aspect

There is no one “best” curriculum for all programs. There are many excellent curriculum models that meet the guidelines for developmentally appropriate practice

How do I choose?

Thoughtfully The approach that meets the needs of your

program and the children you serve.1. Alignment with your program goals, philosophy,

mission, etc. Socialization, academic, arts, hands-on, direct instruction?

2. Domains and domain elements (ELG, Pre-K Standards, etc.)

3. Pedagogy- variety of ways to teach One-on-one, large and small group, meet different

learning styles

Choosing…

Environment◦ DAP interest areas

Activities Assessment of learning

http://www.nj.gov/education/ece/curriculum/curriculum.htm

Creative Curriculum

Environment Strongly child-directed Focus on natural materials Progressive but no scope and sequence

◦ Environment and activities is based completely on children’s skills and interests. NO SET AGENDA or focused instruction on ‘academic skills’

◦ Children learn necessary skills through activities they are interested in

Reggio Approach

Working With Clay

Curiosity with Lights

Interesting Shadows

Plan for learning and activities ‘emerges’ from the children

Mix of child-directed with teacher-guided learning

No packaged pieces to order- you develop the day to day curriculum

Emergent Curriculum

Early Learning Guidelines

Pre-K Standards

1. Resource is the guide for developing curriculum with appropriate activities to meet learning objectives

2. Theme or interest area activities are the avenue for building curriculum that meets learning objectives

Using ND resources with curriculum…

Resource is your guide…

18-36 mo: Follows simple one-step directions

Large group- Play Simon Says

4-5 yrs: LL.4.2 Listen for a variety of purposes (follow

instructions)

Science experiment – make

oobleck w/ three step by step

directions

Language Development- Listening and

Understanding/Comprehension

3-5 yrs: Listens for a variety of purposes (to perform a

task)

Social- self-help- step by step brushing teeth

NORTH DAKOTA PRE-KINDERGARTEN CONTENT

STANDARDS

North Dakota Department of Public Instruction

Kirsten Baesler, State Superintendent 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept 201

Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-0440

Theme and/or activity areas link to resources ….

Small group- Play snowman math game with snowman in

different colored scarves

B-3: Self-awarenessShows confidence in

increasing ability

Read Snow Day

Theme- Snowmen

Large group- build snowmen as a team outside

Social Emotional

Cognitive/ Math

Language and Literacy

3-5 yrs: Interaction with peers and adults

4-5 yrs: SED 2.7 work cooperatively with others

B-3: Attends to colors, shapes, patterns

Matches snowman

B-3: Looks at, turns pages, and names people or objects

in picture books

3-5 yrs: Comparison, matching, patterns

3-5 yrs: Know that books have titles, authors and illustrators

4-5 yrs: MTH 2.1 Recognize that the number of objects can change when they are

added

4-5 yrs: LL 1.1 Recall and retell information from a book

with attention to detail

Your turn to practice-

Watch out for ‘cookie cutter’ approaches◦ Lack of hands-on, creative learning◦ A lot of cut and paste projects◦ Worksheet-based learning

Use these for additional enhancement of learning or to jump start more appropriate ideas

Be careful…

http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/EarlyChildhoodEduc/curricguidance.pdf

How do I know if I choose the right one?