Full Description
"The ideas in this book will seem familiar and nonthreatening—yes, teachers can indeed use what they already know and what their children love, but they can also enhance and expand favorite activities, enriching the educational benefits of everyday experiences."
—From the Foreword by Marilou Hyson
Stimulate children's love of learning while meeting standards and benchmarks!
Teachers today are often challenged by and concerned about the expectations in states' early learning standards. They have questions about their appropriateness, implementation, and tendency to overlook the needs of the growing number of children who are second language learners or who have disabilities and developmental delays. In Play, Projects, and Preschool Standards, authors Gera Jacobs and Kathy Crowley tackle these questions (and more!) head-on, providing teachers with plenty of lively, creative ideas to develop children's genuine curiosity while building the skills they'll need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
In inviting, informal language, the authors walk readers through the creation of well-planned projects and activities that both capture children's interest and enhance social and pre-academic development. Each chapter offers:
"What Research and the Experts Say" snapshots, and applications of the research in practice
"Try This" activity ideas that engage children and meet standards
Suggestions for tailoring activities to meet the needs of bilingual children and children with special needs
This timely book is sure to give teachers the confidence and competence they need to connect the experiences that make preschool so enjoyable with the skill development that makes preschool so necessary.
Contents
Foreword by Marilou Hyson
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
1. Addressing Preschool Standards in Developmentally Appropriate Ways
Defining the Standards
Meeting the Needs of All Children
Addresssing Standards Through Engaging Experiences and Activities
Assessing Progress Toward Meeting the Standards
Summary
2. Designing the Environment With the Child in Mind
Creating a Welcoming Environment
Building Relationships
The Power of Choice
Arranging the Room for Exploration and Learning
Materials for Creating Engaging Interest Areas
Scheduling the Day for Play and Learning
Summary
3. Developing Positive Approaches to Learning and Social-Emotional Development
Developing Curiosity and Eagerness; Initiative and Persistence; Problem Solving and Reflection; Invention and Imagination; Self-Concept and Self-Confidence; Regulating Emotions; Respect and Appreciation; and Pro-Social Behaviors and Cooperation
Sample Early Learning Guidelines for Approaches to Learning
Sample Early Learning Guidelines for Social-Emotional Development
Developing Positive Approaches to Learning and Social-Emotional Development Through Projects
Designing the Environment
Addressing Standards Through Engaging Experiences and Activities
Supporting Children Who Are Bilingual Learners
Working With Children's Individual Needs
Summary
4. Exploring the World Through Science
Sample Early Learning Guidelines for Science
Science as Inquiry; Physical Science; Life Science; Earth and Space Science; Science and Technology; Science, Environment, and Society
Exploring the World and Science Through Projects
Designing the Environment
Addressing Standards Through Engaging Experiences and Activities
Supporting Children Who Are Bilingual Learners
Working With Children's Individual Needs
Summary
5. Learning About Our Community Through Social Studies
Families/Cultures; Community/Civics; History/Time; Geography/Places, People, and Environments; and Economics
Sample Early Learning Guidelines for Social Studies
Learning About Our Community and Social Studies Through Projects
Designing the Environment
Addressing Standards Through Engaging Experiences and Activities
Supporting Children Who Are Bilingual Learners
Working With Children's Individual Needs
Summary
6. Engaging Children in Meaningful Literacy
Reading; Writing; Listening and Phonological Awareness; Speaking/Communicating and Oral Language Development; and Learning New Languages
Sample Early Learning Guidelines for Language and Literacy
Engaging Children in Meaningful Literacy Through Projects
Designing the Environment
Addressing Standards Through Engaging Experiences and Activities
Supporting Children Who Are Bilingual Learners
Working With Children's Individual Needs
Summary
7. Making Mathematics Inviting
Number Sense and Operations; Shapes/Geometry; Measurement; Data Analysis and Probability; and Patterns/Algebra
Sample Early Learning Guidelines for for Mathematics
Making Mathematics Meaningful Through Projects
Designing the Environment
Addresssing Standards Through Engaging Experiences and Activities
Supporting Children Who Are Bilingual Learners
Working With Children's Individual Needs
Summary
8. Fostering Creativity Through the Arts
Visual Arts; Music; Creative Movement; and Dramatic Play
Sample Early Learning Guidelines for Creative Arts
Fostering Creativity in the Arts Through Projects
Designing the Environment
Addressing Standards Through Engaging Experience and Activities
Supporting Children Who Are Bilingual Learners
Working With Children's Individual Needs
Summary
9. Promoting Physical Development and Healthy Lifestyles
Gross Motor; Fine Motor; and Health and Safety
Sample Early Learning Guidelines for Physical Development and Health
Promoting Physcial Development and Healthy Lifestyles Through Projects
Designing the Environment
Addressing Standards Through Engaging Experiences and Activities
Supporting Children Who Are Bilingual Learners
Working With Children's Individual Needs
Summary
10. Putting It All Together
Addressing Standards in Developmentally Appropriate Ways
Addressing Standards and Benchmarks Through Projects, Studies, and Themes
Supporting the Transition to Kindergarten
Final Thoughts
Resources
Sample Signs for Interest Areas
Assessing Children's Progress Toward Standards
Sample Group Observation Tool for Language and Literacy
Sample Individual Child Observation Tool for Language and Literacy
Children's Books and Music
Resources for Teaching Bilingual Learners
Assessment Materials
Helpful Websites
References
For Further Reading
Index
