Play, Projects, and Preschool Standards: Nurturing Children's Sense of Wonder and Joy in Learning

Research tells us that young children learn best through play and hands-on activities. This research-based resource from two educators leading the effort to develop their own state's standards links sample early learning standards for children ages 3-5 with numerous ideas for creating joyful, playful educational experiences. In inviting, informal language, the authors walk readers through the creation of well-planned projects and activities that capture children's interest and develop critical skills. Covering both curriculum and social-emotional guidelines, the book provides guidance in helping three-year-olds make progress towards goals, and four- and five-year-olds accomplish learning goals. Repeated chapter features include: Sample standards and benchmarks based on existing state and national association standards (e.g., NAEYC, NCTM, NCSS, NASPE, and more) Connecting popular projects and themes with standards and benchmarks Suggestions for designing optimal learning environments and motivating materials Snapshots of "What Research and the Experts Say" and how it applies to practice "Try This" activity ideas that put standards and benchmarks into practice Suggestions for tailoring activities to meet the needs of English language learners and children with special needs The final chapter ties all of the information together, and offers suggestions to support children's transition to kindergarten. An extensive resources section provides sample observation and assessment tools, helpful websites, a list of excellent children's books and songs, and more. Beginning and veteran preschool teachers will benefit from this user-friendly guide to meeting high-quality standards through joyful learning experiences. Gera Jacobs is a professor of early childhood education and taught kindergarten, preschool, and the elementary grades for many years. She has published articles in a number of national and regional journals and produced a CD-ROM on inclusion for young children with special needs. She has presented at numerous state, regional, and national conferences, and has conducted many inservice presentations for teachers. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Governing Board and served on the NAEYC Affiliate Council. The Carnegie Corporation named her the South Dakota Professor of the Year in 2002. She was chairperson of the South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines Panel, responsible for writing the preschool standards for South Dakota. Jacobs and her coauthor Kathy Crowley have helped to organize an annual statewide kindergarten academy for many years in South Dakota and have presented at kindergarten institutes in other states. They are the coauthors of Play, Projects, and Preschool Standards: Nurturing Children's Sense of Wonder and Joy in Learning, published by Corwin Press and winner of a 2008 Teachers' Choice Award, sponsored by Learning Magazine, and a 2007 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Publishers. Their collaboration began many years ago as team-teachers in a kindergarten classroom. 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