1. ECE II Objective 3.03 Organize a thematic curriculum that is developmentally appropriate.

2. Let’s Create a Theme! SPRING Happy Spring (Easter- be careful) Mother’s Day WeatherButterfliesFlowers

3. SPRING Happy Spring (Easter- be careful) Mother’s Day WeatherButterfliesFlowers

4. Elements of planning a thematic curriculum Theme A central topic or concept around which learning activities are planned

6. What was our THEME? How did you know? How would you remember it? Would it be helpful to make things? Would it be helpful to use an umbrella outside? Would it be helpful to sing songs about rain, etc.??

7. THEMES Serves three key purposes Build connections among concepts Help learners connect new information and skills to previous learning Reinforce learning and retention

8. Effective themes Are developmentally appropriate based on children’s: Ages Abilities Interests Social and cultural backgrounds Make effective use of available resources Local weather reporter Sampson independent employee Fireman can talk about weather Smokey the bear Hot air and wind can cause fires What else???

9. Assignment: I want you to write down one thing you are interested in learning. Something you have had some experience doing or learning, prior knowledge. We are going to gather everybody’s interest.

10. Forms of thematic curricula Emergent curriculum Emerging from children’s interests and experiences Survey children’s interests before selecting a relevant theme Spiral curriculum Use themes that reflect the interests of each age group 2-year-olds Narrow interests within their immediate surroundings 3-year-olds Broader interests; their families, neighbors, and community 4- and 5-year-olds Broadest interests; worldly themes, variety of topics

11. Concept web A graphic organizer used to develop ideas and concepts for themes Typical concepts used to develop a theme Vocabulary Movement Types Stages Materials Characteristics weather rain Things grow flowers cloudswind Make kite Fly kite

12. Block plan An overall view of the curriculum for a day, week, month, or other span Span of time Theme Days and times Activities/menus

13. Activity Title: _______________________________________ Developmental Goals: Learning Objective: Materials Needed: Motivation/Introduction: Procedure: Closure/transition: Evaluation: Early Childhood Education Lesson Plan Date:_____________ Time:__________Group:_________________

14. Activity plan A detailed plan for teaching one lesson at a specified day and time also referred to as a lesson plan Name of teacher Age and number of children Date and time Type of activity Title of activity Developmental goals Rationale Objective Setting Materials Introduction Procedures Accommodations Closure Evaluation What looks familiar to you? Let’s check off!

15. Get your cube! What is on your cube? Basic components of early childhood curriculum are Content Process Context Teacher

16. 4 components To EC Curriculum Content What will be taught? Is the info worthy of studying? measureable relevant Process How and when will it be taught? What theme/activity will be used to teach? Age appropriate Context Why are these activities chosen? Will this help children socially and culturally? Goals being achieved Teacher How will teacher develop & deliver curriculum? Children Dev. levels Time, talent, skills of teacher be used effectively?

17. How do the elements of a thematic curriculum fit and function together? Content What will be taught? What knowledge or skills will this curriculum help children know and be able to do? Is this information worthy of study? Is this information measurable? Is the content relevant to accepted developmental goals for this age group?

18. Process How and when will this be taught? What theme/activities will be used to teach this content? Are the theme/activities age-appropriate? Two- to three-year-olds---their immediate world Four- to five-year-olds---broad categories Six- to eight-year-olds---logic and symbols Are the theme/activities individually appropriate? Are they appropriate for the interests and abilities of the children involved? Do they reflect appropriate accommodations for individual needs? How will resources be used? Will time be used effectively? Will material resources be used effectively?

19. Context Why were these activities chosen? Why is this important for children at this age to know or be able to do? Are the theme/activities socially and culturally appropriate? Are they relevant to the children’s backgrounds and experiences? Are the activities appropriate for this community? Do the activities reflect the philosophy and goals of this program? Do they reflect a multicultural perspective? Are they appropriate for the season of the year?

20. Teacher How will the teacher develop and deliver the curriculum? How will the teacher determine children’s developmental levels? How will the time, talents, and skills of the teacher be used effectively?

21. 1. The teacher planned to develop a “Four Seasons” theme; a block schedule for October; a concept web; and activity plans using scarecrows, snowmen, spring flowers, and picnic baskets. In what order should the intern organize his/her work? A. Activity plans using scarecrows, snowmen, spring flowers, and picnic baskets; block schedule for October; concept web; and “Four Seasons” theme B. Block schedule for October; concept web; activity plans using scarecrows, snowmen, spring flowers, and picnic baskets; and “Four Seasons” theme C. Concept web; block schedule for October; “Four Seasons” theme; and activity plans using scarecrows, snowmen, spring flowers, and picnic baskets. D. “Four Seasons” theme; concept web; block schedule for October; and activity plans using scarecrows, snowmen, spring flowers, and picnic baskets. Answer: D

22. 2. Organize these related themes from a spiral curriculum in expanding order from themes for two-year-olds, to themes for three-year-olds, to themes for four- to five-year-olds. A. Me and My Toys, Our Neighborhood, World Leaders B. Me and My Toys, World Leaders, Our Neighborhood C. Our Neighborhood, World Leaders, Me and My Toys D. World Leaders, Our Neighborhood, Me and My Toys Answer: A

23. 3. Four procedures for a group activity using a winter theme are randomly listed below: Make a snowman’s hat from card stock and ribbon Wear the snowman’s hat to the music center for a movement activity Look at a snowball and tell if you’ve ever made a snowball or snowman Listen to a story about Frosty the Snowman Using the first word from each procedure, in what order should these procedures be done? A. Look, listen, make, and wear B. Listen, make, wear, and listen C. Make, wear, look, and listen D. Wear, listen, look, and make Answer: A

24. 4. The teacher added 4 things to the activity plan: The playing store activity will be in the housekeeping center Children will buy and sell play food with play money Mrs. Jane Jordan were the children able to count correct change? In order, in what parts of the activity plan should the given parts be listed? A. Evaluation, name of teacher, setting, procedure B. Name of teacher, setting, procedure, evaluation C. procedure, evaluation, setting, name of teacher D. Setting, name of teacher, procedure, evaluation Answer: B

25. 5. Selecting a theme from the Theme Idea List and using materials from the Resource Box, which is the BEST way to organize elements into a developmentally appropriate activity plan for five-year-olds? A. Theme: “Animals in the Zoo” Activities: Teacher tells story about zoo animals, children use foam felt animals to make up stories. B. Theme: “Best Friends” Activities: Teacher reads picture book about friends; children make gifts for their best friends C. Theme: “Eyes and Ears” Activities: Teacher paints a picture of eyes and ears; children paint a picture of eyes and ears D. Theme: “Rainy Days” Activities: Teacher explains what causes rain to fall; children use water to mix paints Answer: A Resource Box and Theme Idea List Theme Idea List: Animals in the ZooApples and OrangesBest Friends Colors and ShapesDinosaursEyes and Ears Favorite SnacksFeelingsPaper Dolls Rainy DaysSummertimeResource Box paper bagspaper platesbrass fasteners felt squareswater-base paintspaint brushes foam felt animalscolored markerspaper scissors Stickerscolored pencilscellophane tape fabric swatchesrug swatchesstriped ribbon book of poemspaper circleswhite glue Cordingstorybookspicture books