KS4: Vermont's learning expectations for all children as delineated in current state standards for students and the articulation of those standards for infants, toddlers, and young children
Evidence 1: Vermont Early Learning Standards
Description: The Vermont Early Learning Standards were created to provide guidance for families, teachers and administrators. The VELS describe guiding principles that serve as the core for making informed decisions about what is developmentally appropriate for young children.
Analysis: The Vermont Early Learning Standards are a wonderful resource. When parents have concerns in regards to the development of their children, I know that I can share this resource and provide concrete activities or materials that parents can use to encourage further growth and development. There are also times when parents have unrealistic expectations for their children. This resource is reader friendly, and can help to guide parents in a more developmentally appropriate direction.
Evidence 2: The Creative Curriculum for Preschool
Dodge, D., & Colker, L. (2002). The creative curriculum for preschool (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Teaching Strategies.
Description: The developmental continuum, Individual Child Profile, Child Progress Planning Report and Creative Curriculum manual give deeper meaning to the Vermont Early Learning Standards and aid in classroom planning for each child.
Analysis: This resource provides helpful information for classroom set-up, developmentally appropriate learning expectations for children aged three to five in all educational arenas, and provides insight into the role that various materials have in the learning process. My favorite piece of this resource is the Developmental Continuum and the Individual Child Profile. The break down of each developmental domain and it's many stages is helpful in planning developmentally appropriate curriculum for all of my students.
Evidence 3: Preschool Curriculum Binder - Photograph
Description: This binder was created by our staff and contains the Next Generation Science Standards, Math Common Core, Vital Results and Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects.
Analysis: Our staff has worked diligently to align our curriculum with the Common Core. This binder has aided in assigning curriculum topics for preschool through sixth grade. In the area of science, for instance, I know that throughout the course of this school year I should introduce my students to each of their senses to prepare them for topics of study in Kindergarten.
