CREATE AN INTEGRATED TEACHING UNIT

ECE 460 Early Childhood Curriculum

Integrated Curriculum: Components

core topic sub-topics age/group level basic web tasks to be completed task evaluation thinking skills evaluation learner outcomes correlation to scope and

sequence/TEKS/TAKS items procedure assessment

Integrated Curriculum

Brewer (2007) Intro to Early Childhood Education 6e

pp. 110 ff Chapter 4: Planning Learning Activities

An integrated curriculum is more similar to children’s learning beyond the classroom than traditional, subject-based instruction.

Integrated Curriculum

A) Integrated curriculum supports i. In-depth exploration of a topic ii. Child autonomy and motivation iii. Active learning iv. Teacher learning and modeling v. Effective use of school time.

Integrated Curriculum

B) In selecting a theme, make sure the topic

i. Is important beyond the instructional theme

ii. Meets learning standards & curriculum goal

iii. Is interesting to students iv. Provides opportunities for

application of children’s skills v. Uses available resources

Integrated Curriculum

C) Implementing the themei. A web of ideas can serve to inspire child interest and suggest ideas, as well as organize and link specific activities and assess child knowledge.

ii. Only activities that meet the learning objectives should be included in thematic instruction.

Integrated Curriculum

D) Evaluating the themei. A record sheet listing child skills that correspond to each objective, with a separate column for each theme, can serve as a useful basis for evaluation.ii. Children’s interest and involvement should be monitored and recorded as well a their success iii. Themes may be repeated but specific activities must be based on children’s interest.

Integrated Curriculum

E) A learning plan addresses how children achieve hierarchical goals. i. Learning plans represent long-term planning, incorporating many lessons or days, ii. Daily learning plans should be flexible enough to incorporate incidental learning. iii. Lesson plans may be useful components of a broader learning plan. iv. Different modes of learning and groupings of children should be included.

Integrated Curriculum

   F) Texas public schools have mandated goals or materials, TEKS. It is important to incorporate those goals into the curriculum in a developmentally appropriate way.

Integrated Curriculum

    G) Multicultural and antibias These are terms for curriculum that teach

respect by incorporating all cultures and demographic groups. i. This approach is gaining important as US society becomes more diverse. ii. Teachers must be knowledgeable about cultures in order to teach them effectively. iii. Classroom materials can support awareness of diversity. iv. Teachers should model respect for differences and avoid assuming certain groups have learning deficits.

Integrated Curriculum

G. Multicultural and antibias cont’d.

        v. Goals            a) Strong identity as part of a group and member of human race            b) Sense of connectedness with other people            c) Critical thinking skills            d) Confidence            e) Academic skills        vi. Characteristics            a) Incorporate daily life into the curriculum            b) Adjust curriculum to reflect home culture            c) Address diversity and justice            d) Involve parents and family            e) Encourage critical thought            f) Staff review own biases