Curriculum For Head Start

In our preschool classrooms, we use the Creative Curriculum, a national research-based curriculum, along with our own thematic unit. Lesson plans are completed on a weekly basis for this age group. The following areas are addressed each week: literacy, physical health & development, social-emotional, language, mathematics, science, nutrition, and outdoor activities. These are available for parents to review in the classroom; please ask where to find them!

Math: A major focus in all of our classrooms has been in the area of math. We have been working on incorporating math into all parts of the children’s day by providing training for the staff and materials for the classroom.

Literacy: Each classroom will plan many activities related to literacy each day. Some of the areas of literacy knowledge include: book knowledge, print awareness, phonological awareness, and alphabet knowledge. This area of development is supported by the Head Start literacy enhancement program called S.T.E.P. (Strategic Teacher Education Program), Zoo-phonics, and Literacy: The Creative Curriculum Approach.

Science: Explorations and activities will be planned weekly in each classroom, with a science center that encourages children to explore science concepts each day.

Language: Children will be learning and developing their skills in the areas of listening/understanding and speaking/communicating. They will begin to learn new vocabulary words and understand how to communicate their ideas, feelings and opinions.

Social-Emotional Development: This area of development encourages children to build their self-concept, gain self-control, learn cooperation, and develop relationships. This area of development is supported by the ‘Second Step: A Violence Prevention Curriculum’ and the ‘Talk About Touching’ personal safety curriculum.

Physical Health & Development: Children’s large motor and fine motor skill development is a natural part of each day. You may observe them marching, galloping, using scissors and writing utensils and putting puzzles together. Children will also learn about hygiene practices, nutrition and safety rules. Each classroom incorporates the ‘Preschool Fitness Curriculum’ and the ‘Preschool Nutrition Curriculum’ into their weekly lesson plans.

Zoo-phonics: This curriculum is used in our preschool classrooms. It is designed to get children ready to read by using phonetic sounds in a fun, child-friendly way.

Books: Each child in our program has the opportunity to receive at least 4 free books per year for their home library.

Field Trips: Each classroom takes field trips throughout the year to places in the community. We welcome parents to attend these educational experiences as well! Field trips are free of charge to children enrolled in our programs.

Link to Creative Curriculum:  www.teachingstrategies.com