Integrating Math and Science in Early Childhood Classrooms Through Big Ideas: A Constructivist Approach, 1st edition

Brief Table Of Contents
1. Constructivist Curriculum Framework for the Integration of Math and Science in Early Childhood Classrooms
2. Assessment
3. Creating an Environment for Math and Science Integration
4. Patterns
5. Transformation
6. Movement
7. Balance and Symmetry
8. Relationships
9. Developing Your Own Curriculum. Big Ideas and Planning
References
Glossary

Detailed Table Of Contents
PART I: Introduction
1. Constructivist Curriculum Framework for the Integration of Math and Science in Early Childhood Classrooms
Children as Theory-Builders
What Is Constructivism?
Big Ideas as Tools for Integration
What Is a Big Idea?
Characteristics of Big Ideas
Views of Teaching and Learning
The Child at the Center
Celebration of the Diversity of Children
What About Content?
Child-Centered Versus Teacher-Directed Curriculum. A False Dichotomy
Background on the Model of Curriculum Integration Used in This Book
Historical Context
Models of Curriculum Integration
The Project Approach
Big Ideas, Projects, Concepts, Topics, and Facts. What Are the Differences?
The Work of Reggio Emilia
Review Questions
Summary
Websites

2. Assessment
Why Begin with Assessment?
Understanding Children's Development
Principles of Development
Responding to Children's Needs
Culture and Context 24
Principles of Assessment
Assessment Should Be Valid
Assessment Should Guide Teaching Decisions
Assessment Should Be Part of a System That Is Designed to Support the Whole Child
Vocabulary Development and Assessment
Teacher Language
Documentation of Children's Learning as Assessment
Documentation Strategies for Integrated Math and Science
Capturing the Documentation
More Formalized Assessment Tools
Science and Math Journals
Interviewing for Assessment
Questions That Help with Assessment
Interviewing Activities
Standards and Assessment
Standardized Testing
EdTPA
Review Questions
Summary
Websites

3. Creating an Environment for Math and Science Integration
How Our Beliefs About Children, Teaching, and Learning Shape Our Environments
Academic Environment
Physical Environment
Classroom Organization
Differentiation Built into the Environment
Animals in the Classroom
Communicating with Families and Others Through the Environment
Review Questions
Summary
Websites

PART II: Integration Through Big Ideas
4. Patterns
Patterns
What Is Important About Patterns? Why Do We Talk About Patterns with Young Children?
Elements of the Big Idea of Patterns
Repeating Patterns
Spatial Structure Patterns
Growing Patterns
Subitizing
Seriation and Sequencing
Patterns Surround Us
Patterns Help Us Predict
Patterns Help Us Make Connections
Patterns Help Us Organize Information
Review Questions
Summary

5. Transformation
What Is Transformation?
Relationship Building as a Part of Transformation
Equivalence as Part of Transformation
Exploration of Transformation
Observation
Estimation
Experimentation
Growth
Review Questions
Summary

6. Movement
Introduction to the Big Idea of Movement
Elements of the Big Idea of Movement
Direction of Movement
Representation of Movement
Types of Movement
Movement of the Surface
Sources of Movement
Mysterious Movement
Spinning
The Movement of Time
Review Questions
Summary

7. Balance and Symmetry
Elements of the Big Idea of Balance
Comparisons
Patterns
The Establishment of Equality
Exploration of Balance
The Study of Symmetry
Comparisons and Tools of Measurement
The Use of Representations
Games That Incorporate Balance. Physical Knowledge
Review Questions
Summary

8. Relationships
Introduction to the Big Idea of Relationships
Elements of the Big Idea of Relationships
Cause and Effect
Part/Whole Relationships
Classification
Perspective-Taking and Interdependence
Review Questions
Summary

9. Developing Your Own Curriculum. Big Ideas and Planning
Determining the Big Idea
Coming up with New Big Ideas
Re-thinking an Activity, Project, or Unit
Starting with Children's Interests
Starting with an Event
Starting with Where You Are
Start with an Interest of Yours
Starting with the Standards
The Planning Process. Strategies for Thinking About Planning
The Planning Process. What Does It Look Like?
Planning for Integration and Inquiry
The Project Approach
Planning with the End in Sight
The Five E Learning Cycle
Using Other Areas of the Curriculum to Strengthen Math and Science
Connecting Language Arts, Math, and Science
Connecting Children's Literature, Math, and Science
Cognitively Guided Instruction
Starting with a Standard
Connecting the Arts, Math and Science
Connecting Social Studies, Math and Science
Review Questions
Summary
Websites
References
Glossary
Name Index
Subject Index