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

"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.

Table of Contents:
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

About the Author :
Gera Jacobs is a professor of early childhood education and taught kindergarten, preschool, and the elementary grades for many years. She has published articles in a number of national and regional journals and produced a CD-ROM on inclusion for young children with special needs. She has presented at numerous state, regional, and national conferences, and has conducted many inservice presentations for teachers. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Governing Board and served on the NAEYC Affiliate Council. The Carnegie Corporation named her the South Dakota Professor of the Year in 2002. She was chairperson of the South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines Panel, responsible for writing the preschool standards for South Dakota. Jacobs and her coauthor Kathy Crowley have helped to organize an annual statewide kindergarten academy for many years in South Dakota and have presented at kindergarten institutes in other states. They are the coauthors of Play, Projects, and Preschool Standards: Nurturing Children’s Sense of Wonder and Joy in Learning, published by Corwin Press and winner of a 2008 Teachers’ Choice Award, sponsored by Learning Magazine, and a 2007 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Publishers. Their collaboration began many years ago as team-teachers in a kindergarten classroom. Kathy Crowley is a kindergarten teacher and has taught kindergarten, preschool, and the elementary grades for many years. She was director of an afterschool program and a member of the South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines Panel. Serving as a teacher leader for a statewide mathematics initiative, she provides training to other teachers on innovative math strategies. An active member of several professional organizations, she has presented at numerous state, regional, and national conferences. Crowley served as vice president of the South Dakota Association for the Education of Young Children and received the SDAEYC state service award in 2006. Her community named her the Teacher of the Year in 2007. Crowley and her coauthor Gera Jacobs have helped to organize an annual statewide kindergarten academy for many years in South Dakota and have presented at kindergarten institutes in other states. They are the coauthors of Play, Projects, and Preschool Standards: Nurturing Children’s Sense of Wonder and Joy in Learning, published by Corwin Press and winner of a 2008 Teachers’ Choice Award, sponsored by Learning Magazine and a 2007 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Publishers. Their collaboration began many years ago as team-teachers in a kindergarten classroom.

Review :
“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.” “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.” “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!” "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." “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!” “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.” “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.”