ECE II

Objective 3.03

Organize a thematic curriculum that is developmentally appropriate.

Let’s Create a Theme!

Happy Spring (Easter-be careful)

Mother’s Day

WeatherButterflies

Flowers

SPRING

Happy Spring (Easter-be careful)

Mother’s Day

WeatherButterflies

Flowers

SPRING

Elements of planning a thematic curriculum

ThemeA central topic or concept around which

learning activities are planned

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.??

THEMES Serves three key purposes

Build connections among conceptsHelp learners connect new information

and skills to previous learningReinforce learning and retention

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???

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.

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

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 clouds wind

Make kite

Fly kite

Things grow

flowers

Block plan

An overall view of the curriculum for a day, week, month, or other spanSpan of timeThemeDays and timesActivities/menus

Activity Title: _______________________________________

Developmental Goals:

Learning Objective:

Materials Needed:

Motivation/Introduction:

Procedure:

Closure/transition:

Evaluation:

Early Childhood EducationLesson PlanDate:_____________ Time:__________ Group:_________________

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!

Get your cube!

What is on your cube?Basic components of early childhood

curriculum are ContentProcessContextTeacher

4 componentsTo EC Curriculum

Content Process Context Teacher

What will be taught?

Is the info worthy of studying?

How and when will it be taught?

What theme/activity will be used to teach?

Why are these activities chosen?

Will this help children socially and culturally?

How will teacher develop & deliver

curriculum?

Children Dev. levels

Time, talent, skills of teacher

be used effectively?Goals being achievedAge appropriatemeasureable

relevant

How do the elements of a thematic curriculum fit and function together?

ContentWhat 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?

ProcessHow 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?

ContextWhy 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?

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?

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

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

3. Four procedures for a group activity using a winter theme are randomly listed below:

Make a snowman’s hat from card stock and ribbonWear the snowman’s hat to the music center for a movement activityLook at a snowball and tell if you’ve ever made a snowball or snowmanListen 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

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

 

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: AResource Box and Theme Idea List

Theme Idea List: Animals in the Zoo Apples and Oranges Best Friends Colors and Shapes Dinosaurs Eyes and Ears Favorite Snacks Feelings Paper Dolls Rainy Days Summertime Resource Box paper bags paper plates brass fasteners felt squares water-base paints paint brushes foam felt animals colored markers paper scissors Stickers colored pencils cellophane tape fabric swatches rug swatches striped ribbon book of poems paper circles white glue Cording storybooks picture books