Play, Projects, and Preschool Standards

Nurturing Children's Sense of Wonder and Joy in Learning
Gera Jacobs - The University of South Dakota
Kathleen E. Crowley - St. Agnes School
Play, Projects, and Preschool Standards
November 2006 | 176 pages | Corwin
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Paperback
ISBN: 9781412928021
Available from January 0001

Description

"The ideas in this book will seem familiar and nonthreatening—yes, teachers can indeed use what they already know and what their children love, but they can also enhance and expand favorite activities, enriching the educational benefits of everyday experiences."
—From the Foreword by Marilou Hyson

Stimulate children's love of learning while meeting standards and benchmarks!

Teachers today are often challenged by and concerned about the expectations in states' early learning standards. They have questions about their appropriateness, implementation, and tendency to overlook the needs of the growing number of children who are second language learners or who have disabilities and developmental delays. In Play, Projects, and Preschool Standards, authors Gera Jacobs and Kathy Crowley tackle these questions (and more!) head-on, providing teachers with plenty of lively, creative ideas to develop children's genuine curiosity while building the skills they'll need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

In inviting, informal language, the authors walk readers through the creation of well-planned projects and activities that both capture children's interest and enhance social and pre-academic development. Each chapter offers:

  • "What Research and the Experts Say" snapshots, and applications of the research in practice
  • "Try This" activity ideas that engage children and meet standards
  • Suggestions for tailoring activities to meet the needs of bilingual children and children with special needs

This timely book is sure to give teachers the confidence and competence they need to connect the experiences that make preschool so enjoyable with the skill development that makes preschool so necessary.

Contents

Foreword by Marilou Hyson

Foreword by Marilou Hyson

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

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

Index

Description

"The ideas in this book will seem familiar and nonthreatening—yes, teachers can indeed use what they already know and what their children love, but they can also enhance and expand favorite activities, enriching the educational benefits of everyday experiences."
—From the Foreword by Marilou Hyson

Stimulate children's love of learning while meeting standards and benchmarks!

Teachers today are often challenged by and concerned about the expectations in states' early learning standards. They have questions about their appropriateness, implementation, and tendency to overlook the needs of the growing number of children who are second language learners or who have disabilities and developmental delays. In Play, Projects, and Preschool Standards, authors Gera Jacobs and Kathy Crowley tackle these questions (and more!) head-on, providing teachers with plenty of lively, creative ideas to develop children's genuine curiosity while building the skills they'll need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

In inviting, informal language, the authors walk readers through the creation of well-planned projects and activities that both capture children's interest and enhance social and pre-academic development. Each chapter offers:

  • "What Research and the Experts Say" snapshots, and applications of the research in practice
  • "Try This" activity ideas that engage children and meet standards
  • Suggestions for tailoring activities to meet the needs of bilingual children and children with special needs

This timely book is sure to give teachers the confidence and competence they need to connect the experiences that make preschool so enjoyable with the skill development that makes preschool so necessary.

Contents

Foreword by Marilou Hyson

Foreword by Marilou Hyson

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

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

Index

SAGE Publishing Logo

Play, Projects, and Preschool Standards

Nurturing Children's Sense of Wonder and Joy in Learning


November 2006 | 176 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781412928021 $37.95
Hardcover 27/02/2023 9781412928014 $89.95

"The ideas in this book will seem familiar and nonthreatening—yes, teachers can indeed use what they already know and what their children love, but they can also enhance and expand favorite activities, enriching the educational benefits of everyday experiences."
—From the Foreword by Marilou Hyson

Stimulate children's love of learning while meeting standards and benchmarks!

Teachers today are often challenged by and concerned about the expectations in states' early learning standards. They have questions about their appropriateness, implementation, and tendency to overlook the needs of the growing number of children who are second language learners or who have disabilities and developmental delays. In Play, Projects, and Preschool Standards, authors Gera Jacobs and Kathy Crowley tackle these questions (and more!) head-on, providing teachers with plenty of lively, creative ideas to develop children's genuine curiosity while building the skills they'll need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

In inviting, informal language, the authors walk readers through the creation of well-planned projects and activities that both capture children's interest and enhance social and pre-academic development. Each chapter offers:

  • "What Research and the Experts Say" snapshots, and applications of the research in practice
  • "Try This" activity ideas that engage children and meet standards
  • Suggestions for tailoring activities to meet the needs of bilingual children and children with special needs

This timely book is sure to give teachers the confidence and competence they need to connect the experiences that make preschool so enjoyable with the skill development that makes preschool so necessary.


Table Of Contents:

  • 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

Recent Product Reviews:

Fun, hands-on, and reader friendly
Professor Hadas Mizrahi, child development, Union Institute & University
"Preschool teachers and daycare centers concerned with early education receive an excellent survey based on expert insights that provide a variety of projects and activities to enhance early learning in all curriculum areas. This is a workbook of ideas pairing benchmark standards to realistic activities."
Library Bookwatch, February 2007
"A wonderful, richly detailed book that presents children as lively, engaged learners. Successfully communicates standards and benchmarks in familiar, matter-of-fact ways that support young children’s growth and learning and that are aligned with good developmental practice. The sections on second language learners and children with individual needs are important reminders that these children too are part of our classrooms and that one-size-fits-all teaching doesn’t benefit anyone."
Julie Olsen Edwards, NAEYC Board Member and Early Childhood Education Instructor, Cabrillo Community College
"The ideas in this book will seem familiar and non-threatening—yes, teachers can indeed use what they already know and what their children love, but they can also enhance and expand their favorite activities, enriching the educational benefits of everyday experiences."
From the Foreword by Marilou Hyson

Recommendations