CHS425 Curriculum Approaches to ECE: Thematic Unit Project Solution

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Thematic Unit Project

Due Date: 11:59 pm EST Sunday of Unit 7

Points: 100

This project requires you to create a comprehensive, thematic, integrated curriculum unit appropriate for an inclusive preschool or kindergarten class. Using the inquiry-based model, you will design standards-based activities that address diversity, ensure modifications for children with special needs, and incorporate technology including adaptive equipment.

The thematic unit will cover ten curricular areas. The ten curricular areas are: science, technology, math, engineering/construction, language/literacy, social studies/dramatic play, art, music, fine motor, and gross motor.

You will plan ways to observe and assess childrens learning and create assessment tools. You will also identify strategies for engaging families and the community. Lastly, you will provide an in-depth reflection on the overall thematic curriculum planning process.

NAEYC Key Assessment

Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of the following standards.

• Standard 1a: Knowing and understanding young childrens characteristics and
• Standard 1c: Using developmental knowledge to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments.
• Standard 2c: Involving families and communities in their childrens development and
• Standard 3d: Knowing about assessment partnerships with families & other professional colleagues.
• Standard 4b: Knowing and understanding effective strategies and tools for early education, including appropriate uses of
• Standard 4c: Using a broad repertoire of developmentally appropriate teaching/learning
• Standard 5a: Understanding content knowledge and resources in academic
• Standard 5c: Using their own knowledge, appropriate early learning standards, and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curricula for each child.

Project Requirements

You will work on this project throughout the course with four submissions (noted below). (Units 2 through 7). Four documents will be submitted:

1. the Curriculum Web (Unit 2 and 7)
2. the complete Thematic Unit Template (Unit 2, 3, 5 & 7)
3. Assessment Tools for each activity plan, and (Unit 7)
4. a Family Newsletter (Unit 7)

Thematic Unit Template: All submissions should be written on the template (unless noted above) and include all previous work. Please scroll through the entire document and complete each section with the corresponding Unit # during that unit. See the attached document for complete instructions and grading rubric. Thematic Unit Project

Curriculum Web: Utilize web-based resources or identify your own electronic tool.

Family Newsletter: Create a document using the instructions provided.

Checkpoints: There will be checkpoints along the way (Part A, Part B, and Part C) to allow your instructor to provide feedback. You should use this as guidance to make adjustments for your final submission due Sunday at 11:59 p.m. of Unit 7 (Part D). Thematic Unit Project

Grading Scale: The project is worth 30% of your final grade. Part A: 10 points and checkpoint for instructor feedback

Part B: 10 points and checkpoint for instructor feedback Part C: 10 points and checkpoint for instructor feedback Part D: 100 points/ Final Submission.

Part A: due in Unit 2

Using the Thematic Unit Template:

1. Select age group: preschool or
2. Identify a
3. Create a curriculum web using an electronic program that includes the theme at the center, at least 4 sub-areas, and 3-5 ideas webbed from each. A sample is found on page 62 of your

Part B: due in Unit 3

Use the Thematic Unit Template to complete all required sections:

1. Identify skills, concepts, thematic goals, the rationale for the theme selection, key vocabulary (5 to 7 words), early learning or kindergarten standards, curricular activity ideas, and

Note: The rationale for the theme should demonstrate the importance and developmental appropriateness of the topic for a preschool or kindergarten classroom. Thematic Unit Project

2. Two Curricular Areas: Develop plans for Science and

• Identify one early learning standard for Science or
  • Locate and provide the website for your states early learning standards for preschool or kindergarten. For preschool children, you may use the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards: What children, birth to 5, should know and be able to do.
• Identify 5 ideas for each curricular area that include a variety of activities (books, songs, fingerplays, ).
• Provide two curricular descriptions for Science and Technology (one for each). Each includes:
  • Activity Name
  • Description
  • Procedures for activity
  • Website (if you found the idea and did not self-create it)

Part C: due in Unit 5

Use the Thematic Unit Template:

1. Four Curricular Areas: Develop plans for 1) Math, 2) Engineering/Construction, 3) Language & Literacy, and 4) Social Studies/Dramatic Thematic Unit Project

• Identify two early learning standards from the four curricular
• Locate and provide the website for your states early learning standards for preschool or kindergarten. For preschool children, you may use the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards: What children, birth to 5, should know and be able to do. Thematic Unit Project

• Identify 5 ideas for each curricular area that include a variety of activities (books, songs, fingerplays, ).
• Provide four curricular descriptions: one for each Each includes:
  • Activity Name
  • Description
  • Procedures for activity
  • Website (if you found the idea and did not self-create it)

2. Theme-related Childrens Books: Create a booklist with 5 books related to the For each book, include complete title, author/illustrator, and a brief 3 to 4 sentence summary using your own words.
3. Home-School Connection: Write a family newsletter. Plan two strategies to engage childrens families in meaningful ways that: 1) connect directly to the theme, 2) support learning in the home, and 3) value families as their childrens first. Thematic Unit Project
4. Community-School Connection: Plan two strategies to involve the community in meaningful ways that: 1) connect directly to the theme, and 2) introduce children to community.

Part D – Final Submission: due in Unit 7

Complete the Thematic Unit Template:

1. Four Curricular Areas: Develop plans for: 1) Art, 2) Music, 3) Fine Motor, and 4) Gross

• Identify two early learning standards from the four curricular
  • Locate and provide the website for your states early learning standards for preschool or kindergarten. For preschool children, you may use the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards: What children, birth to 5, should know and be able to do. Thematic Unit Project
• Identify 5 ideas for each curricular area that include a variety of activities (books, songs, fingerplays, ).
• Provide two curricular descriptions: (one for art and one for music). Each includes:
  • Activity Name
  • Description
  • Procedures for activity
  • Website (if you found the idea and did not self-create it)

2.  Two Activity Plans

Select two activities previously described and create two activity plans.

Each activity plan must include the following:

Note: No dittos or worksheets are allowed.

1. Curricular area being addressed
2. Group Size: Whole class or small group
3. Name of activity (from activity section previously completed)
4. Location of where the activity will take place (inside/outside, center area, table, floor, )
5. Early learning standards Thematic Unit Project
6. Objective for activity
7. Materials needed to create and implement activity
8. Books
9. Procedures: Description of activity (from activity section previously completed)
10. Diversity: Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of
11. Technology: Incorporate technology related to the theme and selected early learning standards. Demonstrate appropriate use as a learning tool for young children.
12. Children with Disabilities:
    • Identify two different disability categories (one for each activity plan). Please see here for a full list of disability categories. https://www.understood.org/articles/en/conditions-covered-under-idea
    • Explain how you will provide Indicate Modifications you will make to accommodate children with varying abilities and needs. Thematic Unit Project

• Identify assistive technology: How will it be used to help children’s inclusive and successful learning in the classroom?

13. Assessment: Create and share an assessment tool for each activity plan based on the standard and

3.  Home-School-Community Connections

1. Family Newsletter:

Write a newsletter to families seeking their engagement in a home-based experience related to the theme. This activity will both support and promote reciprocal relationships between families and teachers.

Create a visually appealing 1-page newsletter using an online program to send home with each student’s family. Include all of the following:

• Announce and describe the theme Thematic Unit Project
• Explain early learning standards and skills to be taught within the
• Share the 5 goals (from Activity Plan).

Notes:

• Explain how you would support families to naturally observe their children at home, assess their children’s abilities, strengths, and needs, and share information with
• Provide all the following:

o one recommended website to share more information or activities pertaining to your theme (include a website link, name of website, and short description)

• One suggested activity with a short description
• One children’s book recommendation to read (reuse from a booklist)
• One classroom family participation opportunity Thematic Unit Project

1. The home activity should only include materials found in the home or outdoors. Each family needs to be able to complete the activity without any financial burden or A good example of this would be a Classroom Book Bag; books that relate to the activity are provided in a bag to travel to the student’s home for a family read along. The children will share their home experience with their classmates; therefore, the activity must include a photo, picture, or some artifact for them to display.
2. No worksheets are

B. Community Resources:

• Identify two theme-related, community resources that you would use to implement both activities (one resource for each). Thematic Unit Project

They should be effective additions to learning experiences for children. They may include, but not be limited to: community service providers, local businesses, community members, libraries, or other community-based resources.

4.  Reflection:

Review all components of the thematic unit including the curriculum web, rationale, booklist, family engagement, community resources, and assessment strategies.

Using specific details, write a thorough reflection on the curriculum planning and assessment process. Your reflection should be a minimum of 1.5 double-spaced pages.

Get Finishing the Sermon Homework Help!!

Address the following:

• How did you plan curriculum experiences connected to identified standards?
• Are all activities developmentally and culturally appropriate based on chronological age, individual abilities and needs, and diversity of families? Thematic Unit Project
  • How did you determine appropriate activities for the PreK/k age?
  • Are they meaningful, challenging and achievable for all children?
  • Does your theme unit effectively address multiculturalism? If so, how? If not, how could it be improved?
• Does your theme provide opportunities for exploration and learning opportunities? If so how, if not how could you add this?
• , What have you learned about the importance and necessity of family and community engagement in young children’s learning and development? Thematic Unit Project
• Analyze assessment Address:
  • student progress for planning and related modifications
  • assessing learning objectives: State how you would assess mastery of the
  • evaluating the success of the lessons: State how you would evaluate the success of the

Evaluation Rubric for Unit 7 Assignment