Division of Early Learning - Early Learning and Developmental Standards

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Developing a Reflective Practice through Quality Teaching and Learning

Mathematical Thinking: Rethinking Calendar Time

Overview

Welcome to the Reflective Practice through Quality Teaching and Learning module. The preschool year is a foundational year for most children and sets the tone for academic success. Research supports that a quality preschool program can significantly influence academic and social development of young children. This module provides information and resources for directors and instructors to consider when setting goals for establishing a quality preschool program.

Welcome to the Emergent Writing for Early Learners module. Just as children grow in their ability to name and recognize alphabet letters, they also gain skills in using letter-like shapes, symbols, and letters to convey meaning. Writing is a key predictor of children’s later reading success. This module provides research, resources and explicit video demonstrations of instructional practices to support the implementation of emergent writing in the prekindergarten classroom.

Welcome to Integrating Learning Throughout the Preschool Day. Effective educators understand that children will benefit when skills and concepts are linked during formal and informal learning experiences. The increased exposure to concepts and skills through multiple opportunities to practice and reinforce skills will lead to better outcomes for children. The goal of this module is to support educators in understanding how to intentionally plan and integrate learning throughout the day.

Welcome to the Mathematical Thinking: Rethinking Calendar Time module. Calendar-time is a tradition in most preschool classrooms in which instructors believe they are addressing a variety of math skills. In fact, most of these skills like, what is today, yesterday and tomorrow? are concepts about time that preschool children are not developmentally ready to understand. Using the calendar for counting, seriation and patterning is often confusing for children. This module provides information about these math concepts and best practices for addressing them with children. Alternative ways to use the calendar and morning circle time are suggested.

Welcome to the Intentional Use of Technology and Interactive Media in Early Learning module. In a world with expanding access to and reliance on technology, it is important for effective educators to ensure young children continue to learn new skills and concepts in meaningful, developmentally appropriate ways. The goal of the module is to support educators in understanding how to intentionally plan for and use technology and interactive media.

Welcome to the Supporting Executive Functioning Skills in the Preschool Classroom module. Executive function is fundamental to building a strong foundation for both cognitive and social skills. The goal of the module is to support educators in understanding how to intentionally plan for executive function in the classroom.

Facilitators Guide

PowerPoint Presentations

Videos

Instructional Resources

Content Support Documents

This video provides an overview of the quality teaching and learning content found in this module. All videos were filmed in Florida classrooms with Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) instructors who were trained and coached on implementing reflective practice as part of quality teaching and learning in their VPK classrooms.

The opening video provides an overview of the emergent writing content with demonstrations of emergent writing routines and practices with prekindergarten children. All videos were filmed in Florida classrooms with Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) instructors who were trained and coached on implementing the emergent writing content.

The opening video provides examples of how instructors connect learning experiences during daily routines, transitions and instructional times. All videos were filmed in Florida classrooms with Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) instructors who were trained and coached on integrating learning.

The opening video provides an overview of the Rethinking Calendar Time content. All videos were filmed in Florida classrooms with Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) instructors who were trained and coached on implementing reflective practice as part of quality teaching and learning in their VPK classrooms.

Facilitators Guide
How to Use this Resource This information suggests ways to use the content in this module as a professional learning opportunity (i.e. community of practice or in-service training) for directors, trainers, coaches and individual instructors.
Overview of Developing a Reflective Practice through Quality Teaching and Learning Detailed information about the elements of quality teaching and learning and developing a reflective practice.
Knowledge Check The purpose of the knowledge check is to help educators think about the preschool classroom and determine if the quality teaching and learning elements are currently in place.

Powerpoint Presentations
Elements of a Quality Preschool Program The PowerPoint presentation demonstrates each element of a quality preschool program with photographs and videos.
PowerPoint Note Pages The note pages provide detailed information to support each slide with guided questions and recommended activities.
Quality Learning Instruction in the Preschool Classroom The PowerPoint presentation includes information to demonstrate the quality teaching and learning elements discussed in the module.
PowerPoint Note Pages The note pages provide detailed information to support each slide with guided questions and recommended activities.

Videos
High-Quality Preschool Programs in Florida The opening video for the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards (2017) demonstrates the characteristics included in a high-quality preschool program.
Effective Educators A critical component of a high-quality preschool program is the character of the teachers. The video presents the elements of effective educators.
Purposeful Planning Purposeful planning requires teachers to think about specific skills before they teach them. In this video three preschool teachers talk about how they intentionally plan each day.
Child-Centered Classroom An overview of the educator’s role in providing a well-planned, organized, and safe learning environment for children to learn and grow.
Small Group Instruction There are multiple ways to plan for and implement small group instruction in a preschool daily schedule. This example demonstrates one way to provide small group instruction for children.
Content Integration Children will benefit when learning experiences are integrated across content areas that link skills and concepts throughout the day.
Growing Your Practice through Reflection A coach uses reflective questions with a teacher following her tree planting lesson.

Instructional Resources
Quality Learning Instruction in the Preschool Classroom The resource provides the key instructional elements that support quality learning for young learners.
Balanced Schedule: Small Group Instruction There are multiple ways to plan for and implement small group instruction in a preschool daily schedule. This example demonstrates one way to provide small group instruction for children.
Reflecting on My Practice: Approaches to Learning Careful planning and arrangement of the learning environment is key in providing children opportunities to demonstrate eagerness for learning, persistence and creativity. This self-check helps teachers reflect on their practice and determine if these qualities are in place to support children’s learning.

Content Support Documents
Elements of a Quality Preschool Program The quality of a preschool program can significantly influence academic and social development of young children. This resource provides the key elements included in a quality preschool program.
Integrated Classroom Curriculum In many preschool programs, a curriculum is considered to be a purchased set of materials and guidebooks, however, an effective educator will include a variety of elements to support children’s interest and natural desire to explore, discover and act on the world around them.
Effective Educators One-page summary of the qualities of an effective educator.
Growing Your Practice through Reflection One-page review of the big ideas around reflective practice. Includes questions that were used in the Growing Your Practice through Reflection video.

Facilitators Guide
How to Use this Resource This information suggests ways to use the Emergent Writing for Early Learners module as a professional learning opportunity (i.e. community of practice or in-service training) for directors, trainers, coaches and individual instructors.
Overview of Emergent Writing Background information and instructional practices for emergent writing is included. How writing can be integrated across content areas as well as instructional strategies for meeting the needs of all learners is discussed.
Knowledge Check The purpose of the knowledge check is to help educators think about the preschool classroom and determine if emergent writing routines and practice are in place.

Powerpoint Presentations
Emergent Writing Part 1: Background Knowledge The PowerPoint presentation includes picture slides that demonstrate the writing framework and stages of writing.
Emergent Writing Part 1 PowerPoint Note Pages The note pages for Background Knowledge provides detailed information to support each slide with guided questions and recommended activities.
Emergent Writing Part 2: Instructional Practices The PowerPoint presentation includes pictures and videos to demonstrate writing routines and practices that can easily be implemented in the prekindergarten classroom.
Emergent Writing Part 2 PowerPoint Note Pages The note pages for Instructional Practices provides detailed information to support each slide with guided questions and recommended activities.

Videos
Emergent Writing Routines Emergent writing routines such as name writing, creating management charts and writing in all learning areas are demonstrated throughout the prekindergarten day.
Emergent Writing Practices: Shared Writing Shared writing is an instructional practice that teachers can use to show children different reasons and to model the writing process.
Emergent Writing Practices: Interactive Writing Interactive writing is an instructional practice that teachers can use to connect the writing process to children’s developing emergent reading skills.
Emergent Writing Practices: Taking Dictation Taking dictation is when teachers write as a child talks about their picture. This instructional practice models the writing process and supports language development.
Content Integration Preschools teachers demonstrate how writing practices can be integrated across content areas.

Instructional Resources
Improving Fine Motor Skills This source provides a few ideas for planning fine motor experiences and a link to the website, Hands On as we Grow.
Fine Motor – Go to List Easy reference to a variety of fine motor materials and experiences.
Setting Up a Writing Center A well-stocked writing area with a variety of paper and writing implements will encourage children to explore and experience writing on their own.
Connecting Writing Materials to the Writing Framework This resource helps the educator connect writing materials to each area of the writing framework to support children’s writing experiences.
Making Class Books to Motivate Writing Class books support children in seeing their work “published” and gives the feeling of being authors. It also supports many early literacy skills.
Meeting the Needs of All Learners Most classrooms include children with a variety of literacy exposure and skills as well as developmental mastery. Intentional teachers help all children become writers by modeling, observing and coaching children in both planned and unplanned instructional settings.

Content Support Documents
Response Journal The response journal is available to use with the PowerPoint presentations. It serves as a note-taking sheet and a review of the Emergent Writing content.
Framework for Understanding Emergent Writing One-page summary of the writing framework included in the Overview of Emergent Writing document and Background Knowledge PPT presentation.
How Early Writing Develops A pictorial representation of how early writing develops. Includes a description of the developmental stages and connections to early literacy skills.
Writing Routines Providing opportunities for children to write and to learn about print throughout the day will support children in becoming writers as well as readers.
Types of Writing Practices A summary of the information presented in the Overview of Emergent Writing document and Instructional Practices PPT presentation.
Glossary of Terms Terms relating to emergent writing presented in the content throughout the module.

Facilitators Guide
How to Use this Resource The information suggests ways to use the Integrating Learning Throughout the Preschool Day module as a professional learning (i.e. community of practice or in-service training) opportunity for directors, trainers, coaches and individual instructors.
Overview of Integrating Learning Throughout the Preschool Day The information provides an overview of the key elements included in a preschool classroom curriculum and the importance of an integrated approach to learning.
Knowledge Check The purpose of the knowledge check is to help you think about ways to integrate your classroom curriculum throughout the preschool day.

Powerpoint Presentation
Integrating Learning Throughout the Preschool Day The presentation includes picture slides and videos to demonstrate how learning can be integrated across content and throughout the daily schedule.
PowerPoint Note Pages The note pages provide detailed information to support each slide with guided questions and recommended activities.

Videos
Child-Centered Classroom An overview of the educator’s role in providing a well-planned, organized, safe and learning environment for children to learn and grow.
Daily Routines and Transitions Children will benefit when learning skills and concepts are integrated across daily routines and transitions.
How One Activity Builds on Another After reading a story about pumpkins, the teacher demonstrates how one activity builds on another to support children’s learning in a comprehensive way.
Content Integration throughout the Day The teacher demonstrates how a variety of activities based on a theme for learning are integrated throughout the day.

Instructional Resources
Integrating Alphabet Knowledge This classroom scenario demonstrates how print knowledge can be integrated throughout daily routines and transitions.
Integrating Mathematical Thinking This classroom scenario demonstrates how a story book can be used to teach math concepts with activities extended into small group and learning areas.
Integrating Vocabulary This classroom scenario demonstrates how vocabulary can be practiced and reinforced throughout the day.
Integrating Phonological Awareness This classroom scenario demonstrates how phonological awareness skills are reinforced during daily routines and transitions.

Content Support Documents
The Integrated Classroom Curriculum In many preschool programs, a curriculum is considered to be a purchased set of materials and guidebooks, however, an effective educator will include a variety of elements to support children’s interest and natural desire to explore, discover and act on the world around them.

Facilitators Guide
How to Use this Resource The information suggests ways to use the Mathematical Thinking: Rethinking Calendar Time module as a professional learning opportunity (i.e. community of practice or in-service training) for directors, trainers, coaches and individual instructors.
Overview of Mathematical Thinking: Rethinking Calendar Time A review of the math skills educators may think they are addressing during calendar and why some of these practices are not developmentally appropriate for 4-years to Kindergarten.
Knowledge Check The purpose of the knowledge check is to help you think about best practices for Mathematical Thinking.

Powerpoint Presentation
Understanding the Math This presentation includes pictures slides and videos to demonstrate key mathematical thinking skills: counting, patterns and seriation.
PowerPoint Note Pages The note pages provide detailed information to support each slide with guided questions and recommended activities.

Videos
Overview of the Mathematical Thinking Standards The Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards are addressed in this video.
Patterns and Seriation: Learning from an Expert Dr. Sharon Carver from Carnegie Mellon University Children’s School discusses the concepts and skills for patterns and seriation.
The Sequence of Learning Patterns The video demonstrates how to recognize a pattern, duplicate a pattern and then create a pattern.
Counting: The Hopping Game The video demonstrates a fun counting game that covers many of the number sense standards.

Instructional Resources
Rethinking Calendar Time The information provides ideas for rethinking the math concepts used during calendar time with appropriate math activities.
Children’s Books: Choosing Books You Can Count On Using storybooks contextualizes math concepts for children and helps them see number in many different contexts, formats and configurations.
10 Tips for Circle Time Ten tips for making circle time more than just a routine experience but instead an engaging and interesting experience in the preschool classroom.
Teacher’s blog about Calendar Time Why I said goodbye to Calendar Time and how you can be intentional using developmentally appropriate morning routines.

Content Support Documents
Big Ideas of Counting The information goes deeper into understanding the concepts of counting including the principles of counting and the learning sequence.
Big Ideas of Patterns The search for pattern underlies all learning and makes a particularly powerful contribution to our mathematical understanding. Patterns exists in many forms including time-based patterns. The information goes deeper into understanding the concepts and importance of learning about patterns.
Teach Children to View the World Mathematically Mathematical thinking isn’t just a group of skills, math is all around and it helps children make sense of their world. The information provides steps teachers can take to help children view and describe the world mathematically.

Facilitators Guide
How to Use this Resource The information suggests ways to use the Intentional Use of Technology and Interactive Media in Early Learning module as a professional learning opportunity (i.e. community of practice or in-service training) for directors, trainers, coaches and individual instructors.
Overview of Intentional Use of Technology and Interactive Media in Early Learning The purpose of this module is to assist educators in understanding how to intentionally plan for, introduce and integrate technology and interactive media throughout the day in a way that supports learning and enhances experiences, but does not replace interaction or open-ended, multi-sensory play.
Knowledge Check The purpose of the knowledge check is to help you think about ways to integrate your classroom curriculum throughout the preschool day.

Powerpoint Presentation
Integrating Technology: Educators The information in this module is designed to help early learning programs thoughtfully plan for the use and implementation of technology in the classroom in ways that support and complement interaction and instruction.
PowerPoint Note Pages The note pages provide detailed information to support each slide with guided questions and recommended activities.
Integrating Technology: Families The information in this module is designed to help early learning programs thoughtfully plan for the use and implementation of technology while working with families.
PowerPoint Note Pages The note pages provide detailed information to support each slide with guided questions and recommended activities.

Videos
Technology Introduction Using technology in an early childhood program requires intentional planning with an understanding of the different resources available.
Technology Evaluation Teachers should evaluate technology programs before implementing them in the classroom.
Technology Throughout the Day Technology can be used a variety of ways throughout the day.
Technology Teacher Planning Teachers can use technology programs to enhance the classroom curriculum.
Technology Summary Teachers should use technology in a developmentally appropriate way.

Instructional Resources
Activity Plan: What Comes Next? An activity plan to help children identify a pattern unit then draw what comes next in the pattern.
Activity Plan: Matching Emotions An activity plan to help children match a face and a scenario with an emotion.
Text Rendering Experience A description of a process that can be used to collaboratively construct meaning, clarify, and expand our thinking about a text or document.

Content Support Documents
Role of Technology and Interactive Media in the Education and Development of Preschool-Age Children The intent of this document is to provide information on the use of technology and interactive media in the education and development of preschool-age children.

Facilitators Guide
How to Use this Resource The information suggests ways to use the Supporting Executive Functioning Skills in the Preschool Classroom module as a professional learning opportunity (i.e. community of practice or in-service training) for directors, trainers, coaches and individual instructors.
Overview of Supporting Executive Functioning Skills in the Preschool Classroom The purpose of this module is to assist educators in understanding how to intentionally plan for, introduce and integrate executive functioning skills throughout the day in a way that supports learning and enhances experiences.
Knowledge Check The purpose of the knowledge check is to help you think about ways to integrate your classroom curriculum throughout the preschool day.

Powerpoint Presentation
Supporting Executive Functioning Skills in the Preschool Classroom The information in this module is designed to help early learning programs thoughtfully plan for the use and implementation of executive functioning in the classroom in ways that support and complement interaction and instruction.
PowerPoint Note Pages The note pages provide detailed information to support each slide with guided questions and recommended activities.

Videos
Executive Functioning Summary This video defines executive functioning and explains how they are important life skills.
Executive Function Introduction Intentionally focusing on executive functioning skills in an early childhood program requires intentional planning with an understanding of the different resources available. This video provides an overview of executive function and defines the three main components.
Supporting Executive Functions Throughout the Day This video provides examples of how to support executive functioning skills through different activities throughout the day.
Executive Functions in Action This video provides examples of executive functioning skills in the classroom.
Executive Function Imaginary Play This video demonstrates how executive function skills are seen in imaginary play.

Content Support Documents
Executive Function Resources The intent of this document is to provide additional resources to support executive functioning in the preschool classroom.
Executive Function Glossary of Terms The intent of this document is to provide a list of terms related to executive function with definitions.

Developing a Reflective Practice through Quality Teaching and Learning

Emergent Writing in the Preschool Classroom

Integrating Learning Throughout the Preschool Day

Mathematical Thinking: Rethinking Calendar Time

Intentional Use of Technology and Interactive Media in Early Learning

Supporting Executive Functioning Skills in the Preschool Classroom

Overview

How to Use this Resource

Overview of Developing a Reflective Practice through Quality Teaching and Learning

Knowledge Check

Elements of a Quality Preschool Program

PowerPoint Note Pages

Quality Learning Instruction in the Preschool Classroom

PowerPoint Note Pages

High-Quality Preschool Programs in Florida

Effective Educators

Purposeful Planning

Child-Centered Classroom

Small Group Instruction

Content Integration

Growing Your Practice through Reflection

Quality Learning Instruction in the Preschool Classroom

Balanced Schedule: Small Group Instruction

Reflecting on My Practice: Approaches to Learning

Elements of a Quality Preschool Program

Integrated Classroom Curriculum

Effective Educators

Growing Your Practice through Reflection

How to Use this Resource

Overview of Emergent Writing

Knowledge Check

Emergent Writing Part 1: Background Knowledge

Emergent Writing Part 1 PowerPoint Note Pages

Emergent Writing Part 2: Instructional Practices

Emergent Writing Part 2 PowerPoint Note Pages

Emergent Writing Routines

Emergent Writing Practices: Shared Writing

Emergent Writing Practices: Interactive Writing

Emergent Writing Practices: Taking Dictation

Content Integration

Improving Fine Motor Skills

Fine Motor – Go to List

Setting Up a Writing Center

Connecting Writing Materials to the Writing Framework

Making Class Books to Motivate Writing

Meeting the Needs of All Learners

Response Journal

Framework for Understanding Emergent Writing

How Early Writing Develops

Writing Routines

Types of Writing Practices

Glossary of Terms

How to Use this Resource

Overview of Integrating Learning Throughout the Preschool Day

Knowledge Check

Integrating Learning Throughout the Preschool Day

PowerPoint Note Pages

Child-Centered Classroom

Daily Routines and Transitions

How One Activity Builds on Another

Content Integration throughout the Day

Integrating Alphabet Knowledge

Integrating Mathematical Thinking

Integrating Vocabulary

Integrating Phonological Awareness

The Integrated Classroom Curriculum

How to Use this Resource

Overview of Mathematical Thinking: Rethinking Calendar Time

Knowledge Check

Understanding the Math

PowerPoint Note Pages

Overview of the Mathematical Thinking Standards

Patterns and Seriation: Learning from an Expert

The Sequence of Learning Patterns

Counting: The Hopping Game

Rethinking Calendar Time

Children’s Books: Choosing Books You Can Count On

10 Tips for Circle Time

Teacher’s blog about Calendar Time

Big Ideas of Counting