Chapter 18 The Curriculum

Objectives Develop: Program Goals Indicate: Who is involved in curriculum Cite: The importance of assessment in curriculum planning. Explain: The content and process-centered approach to curriculum development Describe: Factors to consider in curriculum planning Illustrate: The use of themes as a basis for planning curriculum Write: A block plan and lesson plan for one week of a program

Developing Program Goals Program Goals are broad statements of purpose that state the desired end results- what is to be achieved. Some describe goals as the “why” of the curriculum.

Goals for Children in the Early Childhood Setting -to develop a positive self-concept and attitude toward learning -to develop independence -to develop problem-solving skills -to respect & understand cultural diversity -to develop effective language skills, both listening and speaking -to develop fine-motor coordination -to develop gross-motor coordination -to develop personal initiative -to develop curiosity about the world - To develop respect for one’s own rights as well as the rights of others -to develop an understanding of the relationship between people, events, and objects -to develop positive social skills, including cooperation & independence

Meeting Goals Teachers, available resources, activities, and the environment influence whether goals will be met. For Example: If one of the goals is to create independence, provide children with a minimum of help. (This will give the child the opportunity to grow in independence) The classroom environment, including room arrangement, can also foster the development of independence.

Who plans the curriculum? Curriculum development can involve one person or several staff members. When in small centers, the head(lead) teacher is often the person in charge of planning the curriculum, teachers have firsthand knowledge of their children’s interests, needs, learning styles, and prior experiences.

Assessment: An important step in curriculum planning Assessment should be based on the children’s activities at the center Occur as part of the ongoing life of the classroom Rely on multiple resources Highlight the children’s strengths and capabilities Highlight what the children know and what they can do Include collections of the children’s work, such as artwork, stories, and projects ** Teachers’ observations and summaries may also be included**

The Content and Process-Centered Curriculum Direct Learning Experiences are planned with a specific goal in mind. Ex: A carpentry learning activity may be planned to develop fine-motor skills and teach the use of safety- goggles. Indirect Learning Experiences occur on the spur of the moment. Ex: While watching Reina, Dwayane may learn how to button his coat. Shelly may learn to paint while watching Mark. A Teachable Moment is an unexpected event the teacher can use as a learning opportunity. Occurs when students are curious and responsive to being taught. It is the most popular approach to curriculum planning. Learning is seen as a constant process of exploring and questioning the environment. Hands-on curriculum is very important for all four areas of child development: Social Emotional Physical Cognitive Basic learning materials are a key part of the content and process-centered curriculum.

Factors to consider in curriculum planning Choose the skills and content to cover. Three basic questions can help you in doing so: Is the information worth knowing? Is the information testable? Is the information developmentally appropriate? Balance learning activities: An appropriate curriculum contains a balance of learning activities supporting all developmental domains. Consider learning styles: Field-Sensitive children like to work with others. In a group setting, they are helpful. Field-Independent children like to try new activities. The enjoy discovery. Visual Learners depend a great deal on the sense of sight. These children will notice small changes in the environment. Auditory Learners are those who learn best through hearing. These children are the first to hear a fly in the classroom.

Factors to consider in curriculum planning Cont. Consider Learning Characteristics Children in each classroom have a wide range of learning characteristics. Some work slowly while others work quickly. Some are attentive, and others bore easily. Some are quick decision makers while others take more time.

Emergent Curriculum Themes The emergent curriculum is child- centered. It “emerges” from the children’s interest and experiences. This type of curriculum is an alternative to the teacher’s selection of themes in advance. Teachers often use themes to plan their curriculum. A theme is one main topic or idea around which the classroom activities are planned. Ex.: Johnny Appleseed Theme Math: Counting Apples Tasting types of apples Coloring a reading booklet on Johnny Appleseed The letters J and A

Theme Ideas

Very young children’s interests center on their immediate surroundings Very young children’s interests center on their immediate surroundings. As the children grow, their circle of interests becomes larger, like a spiral. A curriculum based on this concept is called a Spiral Curriculum. Two-year-old children are interested in their immediate world. Themes such as sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell are appealing to them. Three-year-olds are interested in their families. At this time they are also becoming more interested in their neighbors and their community. Supermarket, bakery, library, PO themes work best.

Holiday Themes Use caution when planning holiday themes for children. Think about the children in your group. Is the them appropriate to every family in the group? Some families can be offended by the celebration of some holidays. Only those holidays that can be shared with all should be introduced.

Factors to consider in curriculum planning Cont… Developing Themes Using Webbing A web is a planning tool or map that outlines major concepts and ideas related to a theme. Sample Objectives: SWBAT (Students will be able to) Identify the types of puppets Develop skill in moving puppets with rods, wires, strings, and hands Enjoy a puppet show Learn new vocabulary words: marionette, shadow, and dummy Construct puppets from a variety of materials Express their own thoughts and feelings using puppets Practice using a puppet behind a puppet stage

Factors to consider in curriculum planning Cont.

Factors to consider in curriculum planning Cont. Concepts Based on Theme Curriculum themes are an important medium for helping children form concepts. A concept is a generalized idea or notion. Learning basic concepts helps the children understand their world. Concepts can be developed around a theme. To do this, review your web, then write the concept. Ex. Theme is Birds There are many kinds of birds. Some birds are pets. Birds hatch from eggs. Most birds fly.

Written Plans After brainstorming and considering your curriculum approach, you need to begin writing the lesson plan. Block Plan is an overall view of the curriculum. Outline general plans. Lesson Plans are more detailed and outline specific actions and activities that will be used to meet goals and objectives.