The High Scope Pre-K The High Scope Pre-K Curriculum:Curriculum:

Will Your Child Benefit From It?Will Your Child Benefit From It?

Brandi JohnsonBrandi Johnson

Technical CommunicationsTechnical Communications

English 1105English 1105

September 6, 2009September 6, 2009

Table of ContentsTable of Contents

Abstract……………………………………………..Page 3Abstract……………………………………………..Page 3 Introduction………………………………..........Page 4Introduction………………………………..........Page 4 Social and Emotional Development……….Page 5Social and Emotional Development……….Page 5 Language and Literacy Development…….Page 6Language and Literacy Development…….Page 6 Mathematics……………………………………….Page 7Mathematics……………………………………….Page 7 Science………………………………………………Page 8Science………………………………………………Page 8 Social Studies……………………………………..Page 9Social Studies……………………………………..Page 9 Creative Arts……………………………………….Page 10Creative Arts……………………………………….Page 10 Health and Physical Development………….Page 11Health and Physical Development………….Page 11 Closing……………………………………………….Page 12Closing……………………………………………….Page 12 Works Cited/References……………………….Page 13Works Cited/References……………………….Page 13

AbstractAbstract The question is will your child benefit from a Pre-The question is will your child benefit from a Pre-

Kindergarten program and its High Scope curriculum? Kindergarten program and its High Scope curriculum? The answer is yes. There are seven domains that make The answer is yes. There are seven domains that make up the Pre-Kindergarten curriculum. The first domain is up the Pre-Kindergarten curriculum. The first domain is Personal and Social Development. The second is Personal and Social Development. The second is Language and Literacy. The third is Mathematics. The Language and Literacy. The third is Mathematics. The fourth is Science. The fifth is Social Studies. The sixth is fourth is Science. The fifth is Social Studies. The sixth is Creative Arts. Finally, the seventh is Health and Physical Creative Arts. Finally, the seventh is Health and Physical Development. I will explain each domain in detail and Development. I will explain each domain in detail and provide research on how your child will benefit from this provide research on how your child will benefit from this program. The sources that I will be providing you with program. The sources that I will be providing you with information from are four different websites. 1) A paper information from are four different websites. 1) A paper written by members of the Albert Shanker written by members of the Albert Shanker Institute-“Preschool Curriculum: What’s In It for Children Institute-“Preschool Curriculum: What’s In It for Children and Teachers” ; 2)Georgia’s Bright from the Start-Pre-K and Teachers” ; 2)Georgia’s Bright from the Start-Pre-K website; 3)Tennessee’s website about Pre-Kindergarten; website; 3)Tennessee’s website about Pre-Kindergarten; 4)Mississippi’s Pre-K Curriculum website. I will also 4)Mississippi’s Pre-K Curriculum website. I will also provide details on my experience from teaching Pre-provide details on my experience from teaching Pre-Kindergarten for six years. Kindergarten for six years.

IntroductionIntroduction A lot of parents question whether or not their child A lot of parents question whether or not their child

will benefit from a Pre-Kindergarten program. will benefit from a Pre-Kindergarten program. Experts show that children who do attend Pre-Experts show that children who do attend Pre-Kindergarten tend to excel in academics from Kindergarten tend to excel in academics from kindergarten on up through high school. The High kindergarten on up through high school. The High Scope Pre-Kindergarten curriculum focuses on five Scope Pre-Kindergarten curriculum focuses on five dimensions of school readiness. The five dimensions of school readiness. The five dimensions include: Approaches to Learning; dimensions include: Approaches to Learning; Language and Literacy/Communication; Social and Language and Literacy/Communication; Social and Emotional Development; Physical Emotional Development; Physical Development/Health; Arts and Sciences. The High Development/Health; Arts and Sciences. The High Scope curriculum then breaks those five dimensions Scope curriculum then breaks those five dimensions down into seven domains. Those seven domains down into seven domains. Those seven domains include: Personal and Social Development; include: Personal and Social Development; Language and Literacy; Mathematics; Science; Language and Literacy; Mathematics; Science; Social Studies; Creative Arts; and Health and Social Studies; Creative Arts; and Health and Physical Development. Within the seven domains Physical Development. Within the seven domains the High Scope curriculum has broken the items the High Scope curriculum has broken the items down into content standards to help teachers plan, down into content standards to help teachers plan, teach, and access the children. teach, and access the children.

Social and Emotional Social and Emotional DevelopmentDevelopment

Within the Social and Emotional Development Within the Social and Emotional Development domain the content standards include: Self-domain the content standards include: Self-Awareness; Curiosity; Initiative; Self-Direction; Self-Awareness; Curiosity; Initiative; Self-Direction; Self-Control; and Social Skills. This is the area where Control; and Social Skills. This is the area where children will develop personal preferences such as children will develop personal preferences such as choosing a favorite food or color. Children are also choosing a favorite food or color. Children are also able to recognize the differences between his/her self able to recognize the differences between his/her self and other children. This is also where children learn and other children. This is also where children learn to become involved with class materials to become involved with class materials independently. Children will also begin to initiate independently. Children will also begin to initiate interaction with other children and adults.interaction with other children and adults.

Language and Literacy Language and Literacy DevelopmentDevelopment

Next, there is the Language and Literacy domain. This is a Next, there is the Language and Literacy domain. This is a very important area for the children. The content standards very important area for the children. The content standards for this domain include: Listening; Phonological Awareness; for this domain include: Listening; Phonological Awareness; Vocabulary Development; Expressive Language; Reading; Vocabulary Development; Expressive Language; Reading; and Writing. In this area is where children learn to express and Writing. In this area is where children learn to express their needs and wants with words. Children also begin to their needs and wants with words. Children also begin to use language to express ideas such as retelling a familiar use language to express ideas such as retelling a familiar story. Children will also be able to demonstrate an story. Children will also be able to demonstrate an awareness of print. For example, they will begin to awareness of print. For example, they will begin to understand that you read a book from the front to the back understand that you read a book from the front to the back and from the left to the right. They will begin to recognize and from the left to the right. They will begin to recognize their names in print. Also, by the end of year, children will their names in print. Also, by the end of year, children will be able to match uppercase letters to lowercase letters. A be able to match uppercase letters to lowercase letters. A research summary presented by research summary presented by The Albert Shanker The Albert Shanker InstituteInstitute states “The Pre-K years are an important time for states “The Pre-K years are an important time for children’s literacy growth. Children who are engaged in children’s literacy growth. Children who are engaged in meaningful, knowledge-building experiences with print gain meaningful, knowledge-building experiences with print gain the foundational skills for becoming skilled readers and the foundational skills for becoming skilled readers and writers.” Children will enjoy listening and discussing writers.” Children will enjoy listening and discussing storybooks. Children will also develop skills in listening for storybooks. Children will also develop skills in listening for the purpose of comprehension. the purpose of comprehension.

MathematicsMathematics Mathematics is another very important area for children. The Mathematics is another very important area for children. The

content standards for this domain include: Number/Operations; content standards for this domain include: Number/Operations; Patterns/Algebra; Geometry; Measurement; and Data Patterns/Algebra; Geometry; Measurement; and Data Analysis/Collections. Children interact with a variety of Analysis/Collections. Children interact with a variety of manipulatives that help them explore the concepts of numbers, manipulatives that help them explore the concepts of numbers, shapes, quantity, patterns, measurement, and problem solving. shapes, quantity, patterns, measurement, and problem solving. Children will be able to describe things by color, size, and Children will be able to describe things by color, size, and shape. They will also be able to compare how objects are alike shape. They will also be able to compare how objects are alike and classify objects that belong together. Another way that and classify objects that belong together. Another way that children will be presented how to count objects is by counting children will be presented how to count objects is by counting the number of students present in class. Pre-K children will do the number of students present in class. Pre-K children will do activities like sorting the bear counters by color. They will also activities like sorting the bear counters by color. They will also do activities that involve one-to-one correspondence. Children do activities that involve one-to-one correspondence. Children will be able to create and duplicate simple patterns such as will be able to create and duplicate simple patterns such as seeing a pattern in a string of beads and determining which seeing a pattern in a string of beads and determining which bead comes next in the pattern. Math is used is so many bead comes next in the pattern. Math is used is so many different ways in the classroom. For example, during circle time different ways in the classroom. For example, during circle time when the days are being discussed, you talk about yesterday when the days are being discussed, you talk about yesterday was Monday, today is Tuesday, and tomorrow will be was Monday, today is Tuesday, and tomorrow will be Wednesday. Therefore, they are learning how to associate and Wednesday. Therefore, they are learning how to associate and describe the passage of time with actual events which is under describe the passage of time with actual events which is under the content standard “Children will learn how to use a variety of the content standard “Children will learn how to use a variety of non-standard and standard means of measurement.”non-standard and standard means of measurement.”

ScienceScience Science is the next domain in the content standards. There are three Science is the next domain in the content standards. There are three

kinds of science that Pre-Kindergarten children learn about. The first kinds of science that Pre-Kindergarten children learn about. The first is related to Life Science. By children taking care of animals and is related to Life Science. By children taking care of animals and plants in the classroom they are being to recognize that there are plants in the classroom they are being to recognize that there are basic requirements for all common life forms. Children in Pre-basic requirements for all common life forms. Children in Pre-Kindergarten learn about certain human body parts. They also learn Kindergarten learn about certain human body parts. They also learn to recognize the difference between living organisms and non-living to recognize the difference between living organisms and non-living objects. Most classrooms also have games where children can use objects. Most classrooms also have games where children can use picture cards to match animals and their offspring. The next type of picture cards to match animals and their offspring. The next type of science that Pre-Kindergarten children learn is related to physical science that Pre-Kindergarten children learn is related to physical science. A child can be playing in the block center and build a ramp science. A child can be playing in the block center and build a ramp for the cars and that will lead to a discussion on simple machines. for the cars and that will lead to a discussion on simple machines. Another example is, the same child can be playing with cars in the Another example is, the same child can be playing with cars in the block center with another child and make the comment “My race car block center with another child and make the comment “My race car goes faster than Robert’s truck.” That comment means that the child goes faster than Robert’s truck.” That comment means that the child is recognizing different types/speeds of motion. The last type of is recognizing different types/speeds of motion. The last type of science that Pre-Kindergarten children learn about is earth science. science that Pre-Kindergarten children learn about is earth science. They learn about the seasons and the weather. During circle time, They learn about the seasons and the weather. During circle time, the child who is the weather person is allowed to give their the child who is the weather person is allowed to give their observation about what they weather is like and what they think the observation about what they weather is like and what they think the weather will be like throughout the day. An example of an activity weather will be like throughout the day. An example of an activity that can be done to explore the earth is for the children to collect that can be done to explore the earth is for the children to collect rocks and classify them by size, color, shape, and texture. This rocks and classify them by size, color, shape, and texture. This activity also leads back to the math domainactivity also leads back to the math domain..

Social StudiesSocial Studies Next, we have the Social Studies domain. In the Next, we have the Social Studies domain. In the

classroom, children begin to discover how they are classroom, children begin to discover how they are different and alike from other children. They learn different and alike from other children. They learn responsibilities such as being the line leader, the responsibilities such as being the line leader, the weather person, the lunch helper, etc. They begin weather person, the lunch helper, etc. They begin to become aware of people in their community to become aware of people in their community such as police officers, dentists, postal workers, such as police officers, dentists, postal workers, and firefighters. They are able to dress up in and firefighters. They are able to dress up in dramatic play as the community helpers and play dramatic play as the community helpers and play the role that they play in our community. For the role that they play in our community. For example, Johnny might be in dramatic play dressed example, Johnny might be in dramatic play dressed up as a firefighter and say “I’m here to put out the up as a firefighter and say “I’m here to put out the fire! Back up-it will be ok.” Children will also be fire! Back up-it will be ok.” Children will also be able to express beginning geographic thinking by able to express beginning geographic thinking by doing activities like drawing a map of the doing activities like drawing a map of the classroom. Pre-Kindergarten children also learn classroom. Pre-Kindergarten children also learn about the city and state that they live in. about the city and state that they live in.

Creative ArtsCreative Arts Creative Arts is the next domain. Pre-Kindergarten Creative Arts is the next domain. Pre-Kindergarten

children will be able to do activities with crayons, children will be able to do activities with crayons, markers, and colored pencils. They will have play markers, and colored pencils. They will have play dough to play with. Every Pre-Kindergarten classroom dough to play with. Every Pre-Kindergarten classroom has a paint easel. Children will be allowed to paint has a paint easel. Children will be allowed to paint pictures daily. Children will do activities like cutting pictures daily. Children will do activities like cutting pictures out of magazines and books and then gluing pictures out of magazines and books and then gluing them to a paper in order to make class books or them to a paper in order to make class books or individual books. Music and movement is also included individual books. Music and movement is also included in creative arts. Children dancing and using the props in creative arts. Children dancing and using the props in music means they are participating in creative in music means they are participating in creative movement. Materials are also available for children to movement. Materials are also available for children to make their own musical instruments. It is classified make their own musical instruments. It is classified under Creative Arts when children sing a song as a under Creative Arts when children sing a song as a class during circle time. When the same child that was class during circle time. When the same child that was described in Social Studies is in dramatic play dressed described in Social Studies is in dramatic play dressed as a firefighter and is talking about putting out a fire, as a firefighter and is talking about putting out a fire, this also is included under Creative Arts. The children this also is included under Creative Arts. The children are being able to express their individuality. They will are being able to express their individuality. They will also have the chance to dress up in any of the dress up also have the chance to dress up in any of the dress up clothes. clothes.

Health and Physical Health and Physical DevelopmentDevelopment

The last domain that we have is Health and Physical The last domain that we have is Health and Physical Development. Children do activities that promote fine and Development. Children do activities that promote fine and gross motor skills. For example, working with puzzles, play gross motor skills. For example, working with puzzles, play dough, and blocks helps develop fine motor skills. Working dough, and blocks helps develop fine motor skills. Working with pencils, crayons, and scissors also help develop fine with pencils, crayons, and scissors also help develop fine motor skills. Examples of gross motor skills are running, motor skills. Examples of gross motor skills are running, jumping, kicking a ball, and climbing the ladder to the jumping, kicking a ball, and climbing the ladder to the slide. Children will also be introduced to activities that slide. Children will also be introduced to activities that relate to health and nutrition. Most classes have a dentist relate to health and nutrition. Most classes have a dentist come visit the class and talk about brushing their teeth. come visit the class and talk about brushing their teeth. Children are also taught to call 911 in case of an Children are also taught to call 911 in case of an emergency. Classes make a list of rules in order to keep emergency. Classes make a list of rules in order to keep them safe inside and outside. During snack and lunch the them safe inside and outside. During snack and lunch the teachers have discussions with the children about subjects teachers have discussions with the children about subjects such as food groups. They will ask questions like “what such as food groups. They will ask questions like “what food group would our milk go in?” Activities are also done food group would our milk go in?” Activities are also done where they separate fruits from vegetables. where they separate fruits from vegetables.

ClosingClosing I have taught Pre-Kindergarten for six years now. I use everything that I have taught Pre-Kindergarten for six years now. I use everything that

I have talked about in this paper. I have seen for myself how the I have talked about in this paper. I have seen for myself how the children benefit from the program and the curriculum. It is amazing to children benefit from the program and the curriculum. It is amazing to see how children develop from the first time they walk through the see how children develop from the first time they walk through the door till the last day of school. Then when you see the children the door till the last day of school. Then when you see the children the next year in kindergarten, you get to see how everything the children next year in kindergarten, you get to see how everything the children learned is helping them already. learned is helping them already.

Works Cited/ReferenceWorks Cited/Reference The Albert Shanker InstituteThe Albert Shanker Institute. 2009. The The Albert Shanker . 2009. The The Albert Shanker

Institute. 1 Sept. 2009 Institute. 1 Sept. 2009 http://http://www.shankerinstitute.orgwww.shankerinstitute.org

The HighScope Preschool CurriculumThe HighScope Preschool Curriculum. 2009. Georgia Department . 2009. Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. 1 Sept. 2009 of Early Care and Learning. 1 Sept. 2009 http://http://decal.ga.gov/documents/attachments/HighScope.pdfdecal.ga.gov/documents/attachments/HighScope.pdf

Georiga Bright from the Start-Pre-KGeoriga Bright from the Start-Pre-K. Feb. 2007. Georgia . Feb. 2007. Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. 1 Sept. 2009 Department of Early Care and Learning. 1 Sept. 2009 http://decal.ga.gov/documents/attachments/Content_Standards_Fuhttp://decal.ga.gov/documents/attachments/Content_Standards_Full.pdfll.pdf

Tennessee’s Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten ProgramTennessee’s Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program. 2009. The . 2009. The Official Web Site of the State of Tennessee. 1 Sept. 2009 Official Web Site of the State of Tennessee. 1 Sept. 2009 http://http://tennessee.gov/governor/prek/activities/index.htmtennessee.gov/governor/prek/activities/index.htm

Mississippi Pre-Kindergarten CurriculumMississippi Pre-Kindergarten Curriculum. 2001. Mississippi . 2001. Mississippi Department of Education. 1 Sept. 2009 Department of Education. 1 Sept. 2009 http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/ACAD/ID/Curriculum/LAER/MsPreK.pdfhttp://www.mde.k12.ms.us/ACAD/ID/Curriculum/LAER/MsPreK.pdf