Getting Started with the Preschool Sequence

Audience

Preschool teachers, administrators

Length

2 days (6 hours/day)

Prerequisites

None (This course is a prerequisite to all other training modules.)

Objectives

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• summarize current understanding of brain development from birth through the preschool years, stating implications for early childhood educators;

• provide a definition of the phrase "readiness to learn," consistent with current cognitive development research;

• summarize current research regarding characteristics of effective preschool curriculum and practice;

• identify the common, underlying principles of the Core Knowledge approach to education, preschool–grade 8;

• identify and describe the components of the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence;

• discriminate between accurate and inaccurate perceptions of the Core Knowledge Preschool program;

• identify key features of a Core Knowledge Preschool classroom and how these characteristics may differ from traditional preschool classrooms;

• identify similarities and differences between the Core Knowledge preschool program and own existing program;

• describe how the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence goals and objectives are correlated to the Head Start Child Outcomes (Head Start participants only);

• identify features of a well-organized physical classroom environment and evaluate own classroom for evidence of these features;

• identify features of a well-organized classroom schedule and routine, and evaluate own classroom for evidence of these features;

• identify effective transition strategies and evaluate own classroom for evidence of these practices;

• identify the components of an effective Core Knowledge circle time;

• describe "plan-do-review" and why it is important, as well as several different examples of planning and review strategies;

• identify at least eight different centers that should be set up in the preschool classroom, including the Core Knowledge skills and knowledge children can learn at each center, and the ways that adults can support this learning at each center;

• describe the language of Instruction and demonstrate how to incorporate and teach this vocabulary in the classroom;

• develop a yearlong monthly planning guide based on the goals and objectives of the Preschool Sequence (Foundational Support participants only); and

• complete an example of a weekly lesson plan that incorporates the Core Knowledge goals and objectives, as well as addressing specific activities for large and small group instruction, read-alouds, and center time activities.

Summary

This unit introduces participants to relevant research and theory, gives an overview of Core Knowledge, and provides information on implementation.  This course is recommended as initial training for all teachers using the Preschool Sequence.

Registration:

Learn about scheduling a workshop.

For addtional details, please contact the Professional Development Coordinator via email, professionaldevelopment@coreknowledge.org, or by calling (434) 220-3352.