Preschool Curriculum
The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool
The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool is a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that features exploration and discovery as a way of learning. Teachers use hands-on, project-based investigations and have flexibility in enhancing or individualizing for their group every day, while building children’s confidence, creativity and critical thinking skills.
The Creative Curriculum for Preschool supports a balance of teacher-led and child-led activities in a study approach that builds on children’s natural curiosity. Children interact, question, connect, problem-solve, communicate, reflect, and learn new skills and knowledge through extending beyond the classroom to each student’s home, community, and the larger world.
Second Step: Social Emotional Skills for Early Learning Program
Second Step: Social Emotional Skills for Early Learning Program is an evidence-based program to build self-regulation and social-emotional skills critical for success in kindergarten and beyond and is also the SEL K-5 curriculum in ISD. Second Step helps children learn and practice how to manage their feelings, make friends, and solve problems. In addition to the group lessons, Second Step also includes “Home Links” that coincide with the lessons and should be sent home to families weekly. Second Step lessons and classroom strategies help early learners harness their energy and potential by teaching them to:
- Listen
- Pay attention
- Manage their behavior
- Get along with others
Other curriculum used in our preschools include Handwriting Without Tears, Eureka Math, Heggerty.
Ongoing Observational Checkpoints
Teaching Strategies GOLD is an ongoing observational system used three times a year to observe children's knowledge and abilities through everyday experiences. It is based on 38 learning objectives for development and learning, including predictors of school success, to help teachers make informed classroom decisions.
