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Transforming Teaching

Transforming Teaching

Creating Lesson Plans for Child-Centered Learning in Preschool

by Marie Masterson

Published by: National Association for the Education of Young Ch

Imprint: The National Association for the Education of Youn

152 Pages, 8.38 x 10.80 in, tables and figures

Paperback
9781938113833
Published: April 2021

$30.00

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Description
Contents
Authors
Praise

Child-centered lesson planning can have a daily positive impact on your time and energy and on the quality of children’s learning and engagement—but it takes organization and a toolbox full of strategies and ideas.

Whether you are just beginning your career in early childhood education or have many years of experience in the classroom, this book helps you to assess where you are and what you are doing and provides you with tips and resources to inspire creative, developmentally appropriate teaching approaches.

In each chapter, you’ll find

Real-life examples showing what is possible when teachers work together to enrich and personalize teaching.
Links to early learning guidelines and standards to maximize planning and communication
Strategies to infuse rich vocabulary experiences that scaffold language development, support executive function skills, and strengthen self-regulation
Tips to help you evaluate and adapt spaces and materials to address physical needs
Examples for how to support dual language learners
Ways to integrate family engagement as a strength and asset for development and learning

Book Features

The following features invite you to dig deeper and apply what you read to your own setting:

Daily teaching scenarios. The illustrated classroom examples show teaching in action and represent a variety of pre-K settings and situations. Here, you will see the principles and strategies presented in practical and useful ways.
Tips for Teaching. This feature details practical skills to maximize your effectiveness in meeting children’s learning and social needs. You will find ideas for preparation, observation, materials, vocabulary, supporting learning, encouraging children’s choices, and making the most of teaching moments.
Research Connections. Each chapter introduces easy-to-relate research links between children’s development and the activities and interactions that will strengthen emerging skills. These take-away anchors will ensure you know the latest information you need.
Individualized Teaching. This section will connect the development of children to their relationships with families, communities, and culture. You will find information about facilitating learning for children who are learning multiple languages.
Balance Points. This feature includes needed behavior supports for self-regulation, strategies to promote executive function, and mediation for stress and trauma.
Ready Resources. Sources for digging deeper are provided for early screening, adaptation for special needs, technical assistance networks, state early guidelines, creative activities, national organizations, and professional development opportunities.
Helpful Hints: Quick tips provide pointers to make lesson planning work for you.
Links to NAEYC Program Accreditation Standards and Assessment Items. This feature anchors curriculum planning, effective teaching, assessment, and family engagement to professional guidelines and high-quality practices.
Sample lesson plans. Examples with explanatory captions and comments show how to plan a schedule, play areas, prop boxes, book lists and themes, and detailed teaching plans with extensions for playful learning with individualized supports.
Chapter reflection questions. Practical applications at the end of each chapter will inspire your growth and may be used for personal or group study.

Introduction

Chapter 1: Setting a Foundation for Teaching

Celebrating How Children Learn
Tips for Teaching: Learning by Observing
Helping Children Thrive with Developmentally Appropriate Practice
Balance Points: Using Reflective Practice
Connecting Teaching to Children’s Lives
Individualized Teaching: Using a Strengths-Based Approach
Ready Resources: Exploring Your Community Context
Understanding the Role of Play in Development
Teaching with Children in Mind
Helpful Hint: Following the Children’s Lead
Research Connections: Strategies for Inclusion
Exploring Elements of Child-Centered Teaching
Sample Lesson Plans: Planning a Child-Centered Daily Schedule
Links to NAEYC Early Learning Program Accreditation Standards and Assessment Items
Reflection Questions

Chapter 2: Making Lesson Planning Work for You

Engaging Children in Active Learning
Balance Points: Positive Communication with Children
Planning a Variety of Teaching Contexts
Tips for Teaching: Creating a Rich Context for Learning
Individualized Teaching: Planning Personal Conversation
Exploring Levels of Support in Child-Centered Teaching
Ready Resources: Exploring Emergent Curriculum
Tips for Teaching: Effective Strategies to Support Child-Centered Learning
Helpful Hint: Adding Teaching Strategies to Lesson Planning
Being Consistent While Staying Flexible
Tips for Teaching: Getting Organized and Staying Inspired
Research Connections: Increasing Opportunities for Learning
Helpful Hint: Planning Materials for Play
Sample Lesson Plans: Planning Thematic Play Experiences
Links to NAEYC Early Learning Program Accreditation Standards and Assessment Items
Reflection Questions

Chapter 3: Preparing Child-Centered Themes and Play Areas

Identifying Learning Goals for Play
Recognizing Interdependence Among Areas of Development and Learning
Supporting Emerging Skills and Dispositions
Ready Resources: Exploring Standards and Early Learning Guidelines
Digging Deeper with Content Skills for Child-Centered Teaching
Helpful Hint: Considering the What, How, and Where of Play Areas
Research Connections: Creating Active Learners
Fostering Language Development During Play
Tips for Teaching: Maximizing Language Support
Helpful Hint: Making Play More Complex
Balance Points: Planning Effective Behavior Guidance During Play
Providing a Rich Context for Multilingual Learning
Ready Resources: Strategies for Multilingual Learners
Using Individualized Support
Tips for Teaching: Supporting Children with Special Needs
Ready Resources: Key Components of Inclusive Programs
Sample Lesson Plans: Connecting Learning Across Content Areas
Sample Book Lists: Aiming for Big Ideas and Concepts
Links to NAEYC Early Learning Program Accreditation Standards and Assessment Items
Reflection Questions

>Chapter 4: Planning Teacher-Directed Activities

Introducing New Information
Tips for Teaching: Connecting to Children’s Daily Lives
Engaging Children in Higher-Level Thinking
Tips for Teaching: Choosing a Method and Activity
Following a Sequence of Planning
Tips for Teaching: Infusing the Joy of Writing
Research Connections: Creating a Rich Contact Zone for Learning
Teaching Children with Special Needs
Individualized Teaching: Writing Personalized Supports
Making the Most of Learning Objectives
Helpful Hint: Being Proactive
Ready Resources: Maximizing Vocabulary in Content Areas
Sample Lesson Plans: Teacher-Directed Learning
Links to NAEYC Early Learning Program Accreditation Standards and Assessment Items
Reflection Questions

Chapter 5: Using Observation, Documentation, and Assessment to Guide Teaching

Understanding Assessment with Young Children
Tips for Teaching: Exploring and Using Data
Understanding the Assessment Cycle
Research Connections: Identifying Equity Issues
Benefiting from Authentic Assessment
Exploring Types of Authentic Assessment
Assessing and Supporting Children Who Are Linguistically Diverse
Balance Points: Seeing from the Child’s Point of View
Ready Resources: Building on Developmental Milestones
Ready Resources: Understanding Early Screening and Intervention
Helpful Hint: Sharing Assessment Information with Families
Committing to Ethical Practice
Links to NAEYC Early Learning Program Accreditation Standards and Assessment Items
Reflection Questions

Chapter 6: Enriching Communication with Families and Colleagues

Planning and Communication as Anchors of High Quality
Research Connections: Strengthening Teaching with Family Engagement
Sharing Information Using Strengths-Based Language
Tips for Teaching: Foundations for Integrating Culture
Ready Resources: Ensuring Equity and Opportunity
Enjoying Relationship-Based Teaching and Learning
Tips for Teaching: Communicating with Colleagues
Setting Goals, Establishing Priorities, and Sharing Progress
Balance Points: Self-Regulation and Behavior
Building Family Engagement Using Lesson Plans
Helpful Hint: Strategies for Positive Impact
Ready Resources: Family Engagement for Successful Teaching
Sample Lesson Plans: Family Interview Questions
Links to NAEYC Early Learning Program Accreditation Standards and Assessment Items
Reflection Questions

References

About the Author

Index

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Transforming Teaching

Creating Lesson Plans for Child-Centered Learning in Preschool

Transforming Teaching

Creating Lesson Plans for Child-Centered Learning in Preschool

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