5.3.20
Facilitating Lessons
The Creative Curriculum is the primary early childhood curriculum used in classrooms at Shasta Head Start. There are separate editions for infants, toddlers and twos and for preschool-aged children. Both editions are available to teaching staff at each center.
The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers & Twos was created to support and guide you through the discovery-filled days with the children in your care. It is a comprehensive collection of knowledge-building and daily practice resources – an “Early Childhood 101” that will help you provide responsive, intentional care to very young children. The three curriculum volumes that make up The Foundation contain everything you need to know to build and implement a high-quality program, with a focus on responsive care and the routines and experiences that are so essential to the growth and development of children from birth to age 3. Daily Resources are instructional tools that feature expanded and detailed guidance for providing intentional, responsive care and teaching during routines and learning experiences for very young children.
Refer to the specific content listed below found in The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers & Twos volumes which are available on site.
- Volume 1: The Foundation – see Guiding Children’s Learning section (p123-130)
- Volume 2: Routines and Experiences – see the Caring and Teaching section of each chapter
- Volume 3: Objectives for Development & Learning – refer to the strategies listed after each objective
The Creative Curriculum for Preschool is a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that features exploration and discovery as a way of learning, enabling children to develop confidence, creativity, and lifelong critical thinking skills. It is designed to help educators at all levels of experience plan and implement a developmentally appropriate, content-rich program for children with diverse backgrounds and skill levels.
Refer to the specific content listed below found in The Creative Curriculum for Preschool volumes which are available on site.
- Volume 1: The Foundation – see Teaching Intentionally and Responsively section (p158-169)
- Volume 3: Literacy – see Teaching Strategies section (p594-633)
- Volume 4: Mathematics – see Mathematical Process Skills section (p779-796) and Planning Learning Experiences section (p812-819)
- Volume 5: Objectives for Development & Learning – refer to the strategies listed after each objective
Touring Guides
The Creative Curriculum Touring Guides are additional resources which provide an overview of how to use the Daily Resources kits available on site at each center.
Refer to The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers & Twos – Touring Guide for information on the daily resources listed below for use when planning lessons for Early Head Start classrooms:
- Mighty Minutes
- Intentional Teaching Cards
- Highlights Hello
- Book Conversation Cards
Refer to The Creative Curriculum for Preschool – Touring Guide for information on the daily resources listed below for use when planning lessons for preschool-aged Head Start classrooms:
- Teaching Guides
- Intentional Teaching Cards
- Children’s Book Collection
- Book Discussion Cards (“Read Aloud”) – Highlights key vocabulary
- Mighty Minutes
Supplemental Curriculums
In addition to The Creative Curriculum resources, we utilize additional supplemental curriculum resources which are available at each center:
- Second Step (Preschool only) – social-emotional skills for early learning. Refer to the Teaching Materials Guide available on site. Includes kit with instructional teaching cards and a guide with detailed instructions.
- CA Teaching Pyramid Framework – supports healthy development of social and emotional skills in young children. The Teaching Pyramid is not a curriculum, but a framework that is used in conjunction with Creative Curriculum. There are many Teaching Pyramid resources to be used with children, staff, and families. Cainclusion.org and Challengingbehavior.org
Key Points/Tips
- Review the lesson plan in advance
- Prepare required materials needed to facilitate the lesson
- Adapt activities for the different developmental levels of the children in your group, including children with disabilities, dual language learners, and exceptional learners
- Ensure classroom tablet is available (and charged) to record observational notes using the Learning Genie application
- Communicate with coworkers about assigned responsibilities
References
- The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers & Twos (Available on-site)
- The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers and Twos – Touring Guide
- The Creative Curriculum for Preschool (Available on-site)
- The Creative Curriculum for Preschool – Touring Guide
- Class Dimension Guide for Pre K – See Instructional Learning Formats (Available on-site)
Please watch these training videos before the curriculum training. Contact the Child Development manager once completed for the next part of your training.
- In Action A Day using CC in the Classroom – 15 minutes
- In Action Intentional Teaching in the CC Classroom – 17 minutes
- Making the Most of Every Moment – 10 minutes
- Introducing the Creative Curriculum for Preschool, Guided Edition – 5 minutes
Part two of the HS Creative Curriculum Training is to attend the next available New ED Staff Workshop. Contact the ED Department for dates.