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Reaching Standards and Beyond in Kindergarten
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Reaching Standards and Beyond in Kindergarten
Nurturing Children's Sense of Wonder and Joy in Learning


Courses:
Kindergarten

November 2009 | 168 pages | Corwin

"This book clearly outlines how teachers can make standards the foundation of their practice without leaving behind what the best teachers know about creating challenging and ordered environments that respect the learning needs of young children. Through clear examples and informative vignettes, including how to meet the needs of children with special needs and those learning English, this books helps teachers find the resources to return joyful learning to this critical year of schooling."
—Harriet A. Egertson, Educational Consultant

"A great overview of a developmentally appropriate kindergarten classroom. This book gives me the support I need to know that I am teaching my students through practices based on research."
—Darcy Sammelson, Kindergarten Teacher
Austin School, Vermilion, SD

Help kindergarten students meet national standards in developmentally appropriate ways!

Standards provide an important benchmark for student learning, but meeting them doesn't mean you have to take away fun and creativity. Reaching Standards and Beyond in Kindergarten offers research-based strategies and ideas for addressing content standards in ways that nurture children's natural love of learning.

The authors show how creative play activities can help children reach standards in literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts. They also offer suggestions for promoting healthy physical and social-emotional development. Covering the transition to kindergarten as well as the transition to first grade, this book:

  • Presents authentic assessments for measuring student progress toward meeting standards
  • Offers strategies and tips for working with English language learners and children with special needs
  • Discusses how to develop relationships with caregivers and strengthen the critical home-school connection
  • Includes sample templates, calendars, book lists, and more

This resource provides novice teachers with field-tested strategies and gives veteran teachers fresh ideas to add to their existing instructional repertoire.


 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
1. The Importance of the Kindergarten Year: Getting Off to a Good Start
Reaching Standards in Kindergarten and the Power of Play

 
Ready for the Children

 
Transition to Kindergarten and Forming Partnerships With Families

 
Strengthening Relationships

 
Meeting the Needs of All Children

 
Supporting Children Learning English as a New Language

 
Working With Children's Individual Needs

 
 
2. Designing the Kindergarten Environment
Creating a Welcoming Environment

 
Kindergarten Room Design

 
Designing Interest Areas That Invite Learning

 
Managing Interest Areas

 
The Social Environment

 
Scheduling to Make the Most of Our Time Together

 
Supporting Children Learning English as a New Language

 
Working With Children's Individual Needs

 
 
3. Addressing Standards Through Engaging Studies and Authentic Assessment
Engaging Studies and Projects

 
Assessing Children's Progress Toward Reaching Standards

 
Supporting Children Learning English as a New Language

 
Working With Children's Individual Needs

 
 
4. Nurturing Children's Sense of Wonder Through Science
Designing the Environment to Promote Science Inquiry

 
Addressing Standards and Developing Science Concepts Through Engaging Studies and Experiences

 
Supporting Children Learning English as a New Language

 
Working With Children's Individual Needs

 
 
5. Fostering Involved Citizens Through Social Studies
Designing the Environment for Our Future World Citizens

 
Addressing Standards and Developing Social Studies Concepts Through Engaging Studies and Experiences

 
Supporting Children Learning English as a New Language

 
Working With Children's Individual Needs

 
 
6. Engaging Young Readers and Writers in the Literacy-Rich Kindergarten
Designing a Nurturing Environment for Young Readers and Writers

 
Addressing Language and Literacy Standards and Goals Through Engaging Studies and Experiences

 
Discovering More About Learning New Languages

 
Supporting Children Learning English as a New Language

 
Working With Children's Individual Needs

 
 
7. Motivating Mathematics
Designing the Environment to Promote Mathematical Thinking

 
Addressing Standards and Developing Mathematical Concepts Through Engaging Studies and Experiences

 
Supporting Children Learning English as a New Language

 
Working With Children's Individual Needs

 
 
8. Celebrating Creativity Through the Arts
Designing the Environment to Promote Creativity Through the Arts

 
Addressing Standards in the Arts Through Engaging Studies and Experiences

 
Supporting Children Learning English as a New Language

 
Working With Children's Individual Needs

 
 
9. Promoting Healthy Physical and Social-Emotional Development
Designing the Environment to Promote Healthy Physical Development

 
Addressing Standards and Fostering Physical Development Through Engaging Studies and Experiences

 
Designing the Environment to Promote Positive Approaches to Learning and Social-Emotional Development

 
Nurturing Positive Approaches to Learning and Social-Emotional Development Through Engaging Studies and Experiences

 
Supporting Children Learning English as a New Language

 
Working With Children's Individual Needs

 
 
10. Connecting the Dots: Reaching Standards and Beyond
Kindergarten for All Children

 
The Length of the Kindergarten Day

 
Supporting the Transition to First Grade

 
Reaching Beyond the Standards

 
 
Resources
Children's Books

 
Children's Music

 
Calendar Letter for Families

 
Calendar Pages for Families

 
Label Lemur Name Badge

 
 
References
 
Suggested Readings
 
Index

“This book clearly outlines how teachers can make standards the foundation of their practice without leaving behind what the best teachers know about how to create challenging and ordered environments that respect the learning needs of young children. Through clear examples and informative vignettes, including how to meet the needs of children with special needs and those learning English, this books helps teachers find the resources to return joyful learning to this critical year of schooling.”

Harriet A. Egertson, Educational Consultant

“Jacobs and Crowley have developed a valuable resource for kindergarten teachers. Solidly based on developmentally appropriate practices, this volume also ensures that essential curricular standards are met or surpassed. Both novice and veteran educators will enhance their repertoires with unique ideas and approaches shared by these experts.”

Faith Tieszen, Kindergarten Teacher
Austin Elementary School, Vermillion, SD

“This book is full of rich ideas, activities, research-based practices, and strategies to support kindergarten-aged children. Both veteran and new teachers will appreciate and welcome the suggestions offered. You can feel the enthusiasm the authors have for providing young children with high-quality, developmentally appropriate activities. This book is a must-have for every library: new and veteran teachers, school administrators, and those committed to working with young children in a way that supports their ideal development!”

Sue Parrott, Early Childhood Special Education Administrator
Sioux Falls School District, SD

"A great overview of a developmentally appropriate kindergarten classroom. This book gives me the support I need to know that I am teaching my students through practices based on research."

Darcy Sammelson, Kindergarten Teacher
Austin School, Vermilion, SD

“This is a great book for new and experienced early childhood teachers. I’ve found lots of great activities and ideas. This book was created by teachers, with creative ideas used by teachers—it is a real treasure!”

Jacqueline L. Jerke, First-Grade Teacher
Stewart Elementary School, Yankton, SD

“This book contains great, easy-to-do, and easily incorporated ideas for topics that give children real-life experiences, along with ways to include children who have special needs.”

Lucy Vandersnick, Special Education Teacher
Northwest Educational Services Cooperative

“This is a wonderful, well-balanced book with great ideas to implement in a kindergarten classroom. I love the ‘try this’ ideas. The authors make great connections with kindergarten standards and hands-on learning.”

Lacee Mills, Kindergarten Teacher
Liberty Elementary School, Harrisburg, SD
Key features
  • Draws connections between developmentally appropriate practices and kindergarten content standards
  • Offers strategies and tips for working with English language learners and children with individual needs
  • Explains ways to design learning environments that meet the needs of all children in inclusive kindergarten classrooms 
  • Includes authentic assessments for measuring student progress toward meeting standards
  • Includes a CD with sample templates, calendars, book lists, etc.

 

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