Overview of the Core Knowledge®. Preschool Sequence Overview of the Core Knowledge® Preschool Sequence and Teacher Handbook

What is Core Knowledge? An educational reform Preschool-Grade 8 Specific grade-by-grade core curriculum: shared knowledge Sequence of skills & knowledge that build cumulatively from year to year Rigorous academic content with high expectations for all children

Core Knowledge Preschool Completely aligned with Core Knowledge K-8 Sequence Completely aligned with Early Childhood Standards and Guidelines Can be used as a stand-alone curriculum for preschools not affiliated with Core Knowledge grade schools

The Underlying Philosophy of the Core Knowledge Preschool Program We can, and must, establish high expectations for all young children, recognizing that the rates and approaches to learning may vary among individuals.

What is the Preschool Sequence? The Preschool Sequence is a preschool curriculum based on the latest research in early childhood education. The curriculum presents sequenced content and skill guidelines and developmentally appropriate practices for the education of young children.

Motor Skills Movement and Coordination Social Skills Autonomy and Social Skills Approaches to Learning Work Habits Language Skills Oral Language Nursery Rhymes, Poems, Fingerplays, and Songs Storybook Reading and Storytelling Emerging Literacy Skills in Reading and Writing Cognitive Development Mathematical Reasoning and Number Sense Orientation in Time and Space Scientific Reasoning and the Physical World Music Visual Arts

Organization of the Handbook The icon is used throughout the book to denote practices that are developmentally appropriate as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) publication, Developmentally Appropriate Practice (3rd Edition).

Organization of the Handbook: Introduction Each chapter’s introduction provides an overview of key ideas or content in the chapter including the importance of the content to the development of young children.

Organization of the Handbook: Best Practices Best practices are provided for each content area chapter. These best practices are informed by standards for, research regarding, and common practice in early childhood classrooms.

Organization of the Handbook: The Big Idea The Big Idea documents the central idea of the chapter or section.

Organization of the Handbook: What Preschoolers Need to Learn The learning goals for the Preschool Sequence are presented in the What Preschoolers Need to Learn section. These broad goals represent one or more individual skills that are listed in the skills section of the chapter.

Organization of the Handbook: What Children will Learn in Kindergarten A glimpse of topics that Core Knowledge teachers will cover in the kindergarten year is provided in the What Children will Learn in Kindergarten section. Clear understanding of these kindergarten goals allows preschool teachers to support a smooth transition to kindergarten. Preschool teachers can clearly see, from thi nformation, how knowledge and skills developed in preschool become the prior knowledge for continued learning in kindergarten. Careful consideration of the kindergarten goals also offers preschool and kindergarten teachers a unique opportunity to collaborate on joint projects with the older peers modeling skills and knowledge for younger children.

Organization of the Handbook: Language of Instruction Terms that knowledgeable and competent individuals generally use to talk about the particular subject are included in the Language of Instruction section. A strong oral language focus is a hallmark of the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence.,. Although not comprehensive or exhaustive, the lists provide a starting point, a suggested sampling of the precise vocabulary to which young children should be exposed.

Organization of the Handbook: Cross-Curricular Connections The cross-curricular connections tables provide suggestions of skills or content from other subject areas that align with the content or skills of the current chapter or section. A strong oral language focus is a hallmark of the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence.,. Although not comprehensive or exhaustive, the lists provide a starting point, a suggested sampling of the precise vocabulary to which young children should be exposed.

Organization of the Handbook: At a Glance The most important ideas from the chapter are listed in the At a Glance section. A strong oral language focus is a hallmark of the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence.,. Although not comprehensive or exhaustive, the lists provide a starting point, a suggested sampling of the precise vocabulary to which young children should be exposed.

Organization of the Handbook: Skills The goals and the individual skills that comprise them are presented in the Skills section of each chapter. A strong oral language focus is a hallmark of the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence.,. Although not comprehensive or exhaustive, the lists provide a starting point, a suggested sampling of the precise vocabulary to which young children should be exposed.

Organization of the Handbook: Oral Language Skills A subset of skills from the Oral Language chapter are presented in the chapter for each content area. This subset of skills has been selected for their particular relevance to the skills of the content area. A strong oral language focus is a hallmark of the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence.,. Although not comprehensive or exhaustive, the lists provide a starting point, a suggested sampling of the precise vocabulary to which young children should be exposed.

Organization of the Handbook: Content The Preschool Sequence also recommends specific content including works of art, stories, poems, fingerplays, and songs. A strong oral language focus is a hallmark of the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence.,. Although not comprehensive or exhaustive, the lists provide a starting point, a suggested sampling of the precise vocabulary to which young children should be exposed.

Organization of the Handbook: What Teachers Need to Know The What Teachers Need to Know section provides background information on the typical development of the Sequence goals, developmentally appropriate practices related to the goals, and other information to support the planning of activities and experiences. A strong oral language focus is a hallmark of the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence.,. Although not comprehensive or exhaustive, the lists provide a starting point, a suggested sampling of the precise vocabulary to which young children should be exposed.

Organization of the Handbook: Scaffolding The Scaffolding section of each chapter provides specific examples of how high-support and low-support scaffolding strategies might be used when addressing goals or skills from the content area. Also a scaffolding chapter A strong oral language focus is a hallmark of the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence.,. Although not comprehensive or exhaustive, the lists provide a starting point, a suggested sampling of the precise vocabulary to which young children should be exposed.

Organization of the Handbook: Assessment The Assessment section of each chapter provides general background on what to look for when assessing the goals of the chapter, and specific ideas for when each can be assessed during the course of the typical day. A strong oral language focus is a hallmark of the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence.,. Although not comprehensive or exhaustive, the lists provide a starting point, a suggested sampling of the precise vocabulary to which young children should be exposed.

Organization of the Handbook: Resources The Resources section of each chapter provides a bibliography of storybook resources (for children) and instructional resources (for teachers). A strong oral language focus is a hallmark of the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence.,. Although not comprehensive or exhaustive, the lists provide a starting point, a suggested sampling of the precise vocabulary to which young children should be exposed.

Organization of the Handbook: Other Features Using the Preschool Sequence English Language Learners Core Knowledge® for Toddlers Parent Communication Sample Year-Long Curriculum Plan Core Knowledge® Kindergarten Sequence Bibliography and Resources A strong oral language focus is a hallmark of the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence.,. Although not comprehensive or exhaustive, the lists provide a starting point, a suggested sampling of the precise vocabulary to which young children should be exposed.

Snapshot: Implementation and Observation Checklists Includes: Environmental checklist Planning and assessment practices checklist Language support checklist Behavior and classroom management checklist Individual checklists for each component of the daily routine

Characteristics of a Core Knowledge Preschool Class There are high expectations for all children, recognizing that rates & methods of learning may vary among individuals. Curriculum goals are specific, with step-by-step objectives. Current knowledge & skills become the starting point for subsequent experiences & instruction

Characteristics of a Core Knowledge Preschool Class Children are always ready to learn if teachers know where to start. The specific, explicit goals allow teachers to make knowledge & skills accessible to children in small steps. Classroom experiences & activities are based on explicit guidelines that specify essential knowledge & skills for preschool age children.

Characteristics of a Core Knowledge Preschool Class There is a balance of classroom experiences & activities within all developmental areas: Physical Well-Being & Coordination Social & Emotional Development Approaches to Learning Language Development Knowledge Acquisition and Cognitive Development

Characteristics of a Core Knowledge Preschool Class The teacher assumes an interactive role with the children, planning, guiding, & presenting materials, activities, & experiences. The development of each child’s autonomy within the context of the group is emphasized. Group experiences encourage socially responsible behavior & respect for the group.

Characteristics of a Core Knowledge Preschool Class There is an emphasis on helping preschoolers begin to link concrete, manipulative experiences with representational, pencil & paper tasks. The preschool curriculum is correlated to the kindergarten curriculum to help provide a smooth transition & ensure ongoing learning from preschool to kindergarten.

Characteristics of a Core Knowledge Preschool Class This preschool model is based on research in cognitive psychology on how children learn & empirically validated practice with millions of preschool children internationally.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Core Knowledge Preschool 2-Day Training Modules Getting Started Autonomy, Social Skills, and Work Habits Using Children’s Literature and Writing to Develop Language and Literacy Skills Phonological Awareness, ABCs, and More Building Oral Language Skills Mathematics and Number Sense/Orientation in Time and Space Scientific Reasoning and Knowledge Movement, Coordination, and Music Visual Arts Assessment and Planning to Address Children’s Learning Needs Leadership Development for Administrators REFER TO INTRODUCTION AND IMPLEMENTATION BOOKLET PAGES 29-39 FOR DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TRAINING MODULES REFER TO SPECIFIC TRAINING PROPOSAL

Visit our Website for Research Documenting the Effectiveness of the Core Knowledge® Preschool Program http://coreknowledge.org/CK/Preschool/preschool_research.htm

For More Information Contact: Core Knowledge® Foundation 801 East High Street Charlottesville, VA 22902 preschool@coreknowledge.org 434-220-3351