Standard Statement 5

Standard 5. USING CONTENT KNOWLEDGE TO BUILD MEANINGFUL CURRICULUM

5a: Understanding content knowledge and resources in academic disciplines: language and
literacy; the arts music, creative movement, dance, drama, visual arts; mathematics; science,
physical activity, physical education, health and safety; and social studies.
5b: Knowing and using the central concepts, inquiry tools, and structures of content areas or
academic disciplines
5c: Using own knowledge, appropriate early learning standards, and other resources to design,
implement, and evaluate developmentally meaningful and challenging curriculum for each child.

Knowledge and Competence:

My understanding of promoting child development and learning is that an educator must place a
high emphasis on planning curriculum that is not only developmentally appropriate but also
challenging and interesting to the children in the classroom.

Application:
I apply what I know by creating a curriculum that includes all areas of content learning. These
content areas include Science, Math, Social Studies, Language and Literacy, Physical
Education/Health and safety and the Arts which include Music, Drama, Dance and Visual Arts. I
include this content in the curriculum by planning activities and learning experiences that are
also developmentally appropriate and interesting to the children in my classroom. I do this in
the classroom by incorporating opportunities to explore through each of these contents. If we
are studying a specific topic such as bugs or gardening, then I make sure to carry this topic into
each learning area of the classroom. I will place items in the dramatic play area, science area,
library and will even create activities to do during outside play.

Growth over time:

I have changed in my understanding of promoting child development and learning by creating
lesson plans and curriculum that is challenging and meaningful. I make sure that the curriculum
is planned per what the childrens current interests are as well as what their current needs are.
I have learned through the Early Childhood Education classes and through my work experience
how important this is and I now make sure that every activity in the classroom is based on these
criteria.

Future Goals:
I hope to grow and improve in this standard by continuing to experiment with different ways to
incorporate new ideas into the classroom. I also hope to learn to scaffold at a greater level then
I do already so that I can maximize each learning moment as it happens. I know that practice is
the only way to accomplish this so I hope to continue to use these learning moments to assist in
planning classroom curriculum.