NAEYC Standard Five

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USING CONTENT KNOWLEDGE TO BUILD MEANINGFUL CURRICULUM

 

I use my knowledge of academic disciplines to design, implement, and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for each and every young child. I understand the importance of developmental domains and academic (or content) disciplines in an early childhood curriculum. I know the essential concepts, inquiry tools, and structure of content areas, including academic subjects, and can identify resources to deepen their understanding. I use my own knowledge and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curricula that promote comprehensive developmental and learning outcomes for every young child.

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Key Elements:

5a. Understanding content knowledge and resources in academic disciplines: language and

       literacy; the arts – music, creative movement, dance, drama, visual arts; mathematics;  

       science, physical activity, physical education, health and safety; and social studies

5b. Knowing and using the central concepts, inquiry tools, and structures of content areas or

       academic disciplines

5c. Using own knowledge, appropriate early learning standards and other resources to design,

      implement, and evaluate developmentally meaningful an challenging curricula for each child

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Artifact- Activity Plans and Self Evaluation

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Key Element 5a Understanding content knowledge and resources in academic disciplines: language and literacy; the arts – music, creative movement, dance, drama, visual arts; mathematics; science, physical activity, physical education, health and safety; and social studies.  For this Artifact I chose to use the activity Circle Cup Caterpillar Craft. This activity challenged children to use their math skills, encouraged fine motor skills, and supported creativity. As a supportive resource, I used the book “Hungry Caterpillar”. As a teacher, I understand the importance of using my own knowledge to implement appropriate early learning standards and other resources to help me design, implement, and evaluate a challenging curriculum for children. Teachers want to inspire children to be excited about art. Becoming such a teacher requires knowledge, skills, commitment and planning. While creating and implementing this activity I realized how much love I have for children's art. Being in this profession it is very important to understand the meaning of building meaningful curriculum and activities plans geared around the children’s interest, strengths and weaknesses.

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Artifact -Lesson Plan

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 Key Element 5b Knowing and using the central concepts, inquiry tools, and structures of content areas or academic disciplines I used the artifact Coffee Filter Butterflies lesson (activity) plan. This activity helped to demonstrate developments of fine and gross motor coordination. Coordination movement to perform a task. As a teacher being prepared with the activity or lesson plan shows organization, classroom readiness, saves time, and gives teachers a baseline to follow. It is equally as important to leave room for modification and changes as children’s interests change. There are many important benefits of having a clear and organized set of lesson plans. Good planning allows for more effective teaching and learning. However, many things can happen in class, and it is important for teachers to adapt their plans to respond to the students’ needs. As teachers we need to constantly update ourselves with best practices that work, and how to teach more effectively. A lesson plan is important as it gives a sense of direction in relation to standards. Teachers know what is important and what is secondary. It is more important for the students to learn deeply with understanding, than to skim through many topics superficially. Finally, Teachers need to have a precise notion of educational goals, objectives, standards, and competences which is all established and carry out through preparing and implementing the lesson plan.  

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Artifact -Research Project (Ethics Study)

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Key Element 5c Using own knowledge, appropriate early learning standards and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate developmentally meaningful a challenging curriculum for each child. Standards of ethical behavior in early childhood care and education are based on commitment to the following core values that are deeply rooted in the history of the field of early childhood care and education. As an educator, there is an ethical responsibility that we have to families, children, communities, staff, and employees that we serve.  As an individual who works with young children, I commit myself to furthering the values of early childhood education as they are reflected in the ideals and principles of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct.

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