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EDU 540: Pre-K-K Curriculum Development

Course Description

This course will focus on advanced principles and practices for designing, implementing, and evaluating responsive, developmentally appropriate curriculum for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten learners. Students will examine learning standards, theoretical perspectives, and instructional practices that promote school readiness and holistic development. Topics include integrated curriculum planning, play-based and inquiry learning, inclusive practices, assessment-informed instruction, and cultural and linguistic responsiveness. Students will create curriculum units that reflect early learning standards and meet the needs of diverse learners and their families. (3 credits)

Prerequisites

  • EDU 501: Integrated Foundations of American Education
  • EDU 503: Curriculum Design Models

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Evaluate the role of child development theory and learning standards in designing curriculum for Pre-K and Kindergarten. [PS&C 1a, 4a, 5a | CAEP R1.1, R1.4]
  2. Design inclusive, integrated curriculum experiences that support language, literacy, math, science, and the arts. [PS&C 4b, 5a, 5c | CAEP R1.3, R1.4, R1.5]
  3. Assess and adapt curriculum based on authentic assessment data and student needs. [PS&C 3b, 3c, 4a | CAEP R1.2, R1.4, R1.5]
  4. Apply strategies that support social-emotional learning and positive behavior in early childhood classrooms. [PS&C 1d, 4c, 6a | CAEP R1.1, R1.3, R1.4]
  5. Incorporate culturally and linguistically responsive practices in curriculum development. [PS&C 1c, 2a, 4c | CAEP R1.1, R1.3, R1.4]
  6. Create a standards-aligned curriculum unit that demonstrates best practices in PreK-K education. [PS&C 4a, 4b, 5b | CAEP R1.4, R1.5]

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-8)

25%

Blogs (Week 1-8)

25%

Assignments (Weeks 1-7)

25%

Final Project (Week 8)

25%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

(Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle):

  • Bullard, J. (2019). Creating curriculum in early childhood: Enhanced learning through backward design (1st ed.). Routledge. ISBN-13: 978-1138570139
  • Gronlund, G., & Rendon, T. (2017). Saving play: Addressing standards through play‑based learning in preschool and kindergarten. Redleaf Press. ISBN-13: 978-1605545301

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1

Topic: Curriculum Foundations and Play

  • Read  and review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussion Board
  • Participate in Blog/Vlog
  • Submit Assignment - Critical Curriculum Inquiry

2

1,2

Topics: Standards and Learning Goals

  • Read and review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussion Board
  • Participate in Blog/Vlog
  • Submit Assignment - Standards Deep Dive + Topic Background Sheet

3

2,5

Topics: Big Ideas and Planning with Purpose

  • Read and review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussion Board
  • Participate in Blog/Vlog
  • Submit Assignment - Standards-Based Planning and Inquiry Design

4

3

Topics: Assessment and Evidence in Play

  • Read and review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussion Board
  • Participate in Blog/Vlog
  • Submit Assignment - Designing Assessments for Play-Based Learning

5

1,4

Topics: Understanding Learning and Context

  • Read and Review:
    • Read Creating Curriculum in Early Childhood (Bullard, 2023), Chapters 5–6
    • Read Saving Play (Gronlund & Rendon, 2022), Chapters 6 & 12
  • Read and review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussion Board
  • Participate in Blog/Vlog
  • Submit Assignment - Play and Environment Planning Matrix

6

2

Topics: Facilitating and Strategizing Instruction

  • Read and review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussion Board
  • Participate in Blog/Vlog
  • Submit Assignment - Standards-Based Planning and Inquiry Design

7

2,6

Topics: Designing and Integrating Units

  • Read and Review:
    • Read Creating Curriculum in Early Childhood (Bullard, 2023), Chapter 9
    • Read Saving Play (Gronlund & Rendon, 2022), Chapters 9–11
  • Read and view assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussion Board
  • Participate in Blog/Vlog
  • Submit Assignment - Planning an Integrated Play-Based Learning Day

8

5,6

Topics: Synthesis and Advocacy in Curriculum Development

  • Read and Review:
    • Read Creating Curriculum in Early Childhood (Bullard, 2023), Chapter 10
    • Read Saving Play (Gronlund & Rendon, 2022), Chapter 1
  • Read and view assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussion Board
  • Participate in Blog/Vlog
  • Submit Final Project - Integrated Curriculum Unit (Pre-K–K)
  • Submit Field Experience Hours Form
  • Complete Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.