• circles

    Course Title

     
    Course Description:
     
    This course is an application of background knowledge and experiences from Child Development, Preschool I and II.  Students will integrate their knowledge and experience to develop advanced lesson planning and teaching of language arts, math; emerging curriculum; scheduling; room environment, nutrition planning, preparation and serving; assessing kindergarten readiness of preschoolers; and designing their own preschool, which includes the components of a mission statement, classroom rules, floor plan, schedule, and purchasing within a budget.   
     
    Enduring Understandings:
    Unit 1: Review of Roles in Early Childhood Education, Lesson Plans, and Guidance
    Qualities of a strong curriculum
    How children learn
    Principles in planning early childhood environments
    Development of effective lesson plans
    Use of valid resources in developing lesson plans
    Composing and implementing finger plays
    Goals of classroom guidance
    Logical consequences and natural consequences
    Effective techniques for communicating with young children
    Positive discipline vs. punishment
    Effective and ineffective discipline methods
    The importance of role models
    Guiding emotional, social and moral development 
    Unit 2:  Mentoring of Preschool I and II students 
    Coaching
    Team player
    Problem solving
    Supply and inventory control
    Active listening
    Flexibility
    Open to new learning
    Communicates with clarity
    Provides constructive feedback
    Appropriate intervention or assistance, when needed
    Positive approach 
    Unit 3:  Kindergarten Readiness
    Define school readiness
    List specific kindergarten skills
    Describe how to evaluate kindergarten readiness
    State the cutoff date for the state of Illinois
    Social, Emotional, and Intellectual advantages of being younger or older in the class
    Evaluation of rigidity of cutoff dates
    How preschool contributes to future school success 
    Unit 4:  Preschool Entrepreneur, Classroom Environment
    Knowledge of early childhood curriculum
    Importance of learning centers in the early childhood classroom
    Materials required in learning centers
    Early childhood classroom floor plan
    Budgeting
    Prioritizing needs
    Elements of a dramatic play center
    Coordinating music props
    Creative and appealing bulletin boards
    Sensory experiences to enhance themes 
    Unit 5:  Early Childhood Nutrition
    Nutritional Guidelines for Early Childhood
    Serving sizes for preschoolers
    Meal preparation and presentation

    Essential Questions:
    Unit 1: Review of Roles in Early Childhood Education, Lesson Plans, and Guidance
    What are the qualities of a strong curriculum?
    How do children learn?
    What principles should be used in planning early childhood environments?
    How are effective lesson plans developed?
    What are effective techniques for communicating with young children?
    How can behavior be guided? 
    Unit 2:  Mentoring of Preschool I and II students 
    How can I share my knowledge, ideas and expertise of early childhood education?
    How can I maintain inventory and supply control in the preschool?
    How should I guide beginning teachers and monitor the time schedule?
    How can I provide constructive feedback?
    How do I encourage a positive preschool environment?
    How do I remain flexible and open to new learning? 
    Unit 3:  Kindergarten Readiness
    What is readiness for school?
    What specific skills are expected of kindergarten students?
    How do we evaluate kindergarten readiness?
    What is the birthday cut off date for the state of Illinois?
    What are the advantages of being younger in the class?  Disadvantages? (Social, Emotional and Intellectual)
    What are the advantages of being older in the class?  Disadvantages? (Social, Emotional and Intellectual)
    Are cutoff dates too rigid?
    How can preschool help the child succeed in kindergarten? 
    Unit 4:  Preschool Entrepreneur, Classroom Environment
    What curriculum will I use?
    What will I name my center?
    What is essential to my mission statement?
    What learning centers will I incorporate?
    How will I design the floor plan?
    What will the budget be?
    What materials will I need most to begin my business?
    What are the crucial elements of dramatic play centers?
    How do I coordinate and incorporate music props with a song?
    How do I design an appealing bulletin board?
    How can the sensory table and easels enhance the current theme? 
    Unit 5:  Early Childhood Nutrition
    What is nutrition?
    How much food should be served to preschoolers?
    How can meals be appealing and easy to eat?  
     
    Course Academic Vocabulary:
    Unit 1: Review of Roles in Early Childhood Education, Lesson Plans, and Guidance
    Unit 2:  Mentoring of Preschool I and II students
    Unit 3:  Kindergarten Readiness
    Unit 4:  Preschool Entrepreneur, Classroom Environment
    Unit 5:  Early Childhood Nutrition 
    Relationship Building "Piggy Bank Metaphor" Priming
    "Buddy System" Reinforcement Emotional Regulation
    "Turtle Technique" Active Listening Constructive Feedback
    Kindergarten Readiness Cut Off Dates Mission Statement
    Dramatic Play Sensory Experience  
    Nutrition "Rebus Recipe"  
      
     
    Course Units / Topics of Study:
    Unit 1: Review of Roles in Early Childhood Education, Lesson Plans, and Guidance
    Unit 2:  Mentoring of Preschool I and II students
    Unit 3:  Kindergarten Readiness
    Unit 4:  Preschool Entrepreneur, Classroom Environment
    Unit 5:  Early Childhood Nutrition