Curriculum Development

Program Goals Program goals are broad statements of purpose that state desired end results.

Curriculum Development Teachers, directors, aides, parents, sometimes the center cook, etc. can all be involved in curriculum development.

Preplanned Curriculum Preplanning curriculum saves time and energy.

Processed-Centered Approach This approach is content centered. Learning is all about exploring and questioning. Materials and the environment are carefully planned for learning and the children assume responsibility for choosing their activities.

Direct and Indirect Learning Direct learning is planned with a specific goal in mind. Indirect learning is spur of the moment.

Covering Information Is the information worth knowing? Is it testable? Is it developmentally appropriate?

Field Sensitive These children like to work with others and often volunteer to help.

Field-Independent These children like to try new activities and work on their own.

Visual These learners enjoy looking at books and other objects.

Auditory These learners enjoy activities involving music, stories, and poems.

Spiral Curriculum The meaning of this is that as children grow, their circle of interests becomes larger.

Flowchart A flowchart outlines major concepts related to a theme.

Block Plans and Lesson Plans A block plan is an overall view of curriculum- usually for a unit. A lesson plan is detailed actions and activities that allow you to meet your goals or objectives for a specific day. The procedure part of a lesson plan gives step by step directions for the day.

Developmental and Program Goals Developmental goals are statements that tell the why of the activity. They are more specific than program goals.

Learning Objectives Part 1- Conditions of Performance (materials needed) Part 2- Level of Performance (minimum standards of achievement) Part 3- Behavior (visible actions)

Evaluating Activity Success Evaluate the learning experience Evaluate children and their responses Evaluate your own teaching strategies