Play, Projects, and Preschool Standards

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