Curriculum Planning – Childhood Education
Guidelines:
Format: APA writing style, sources cited in APA format
Margins: 1” all sides
Headings: Bold
Times New Roman, 12 point
No page numbers
No headers or footers
1. In a one-page response, answer the “Constructed-response question below.
Constructed-response question
1. a. Identify the primary purpose of this plan. How did you decide?
2. b. Based on principles of good planning, suggest three ways to edit the plan to improve it. Explain your revisions.
2. Then, using the activity format below as an example, create your own activity plan focusing on one of the standards from the California state education standards. You may choose any age level to focus on, ages 3-8. This should be one page in length. Make certain that you add the state standard you are focusing on in the activity plan.
Domain
Aesthetics
Activity Name
Finger Designs in Sand
Goal
Children will respond to basic elements of visual art, such as line, design, and texture.
Content
1. Sand is finely ground bits of stone.
2. Pebbles are small, rounded stones that have been worn smooth by erosion.
3. Designs are combinations of lines, shapes, and empty space.
4. Lines may be straight or curved, long or short, thin or thick.
5. Textures range from rough to smooth.
Materials
Large jellyroll pans or cafeteria trays. Coarse sand, fine sand, aquarium gravel
Procedures
1. Prepare in advance by filling each tray almost to the top with one type of sand or stone.
2. Invite children to make designs with their fingers in the different pans.
3. Talk with children about the lines, designs, and textures they are creating.
4. Ask children to make letters of the alphabet in the sand/rocks.
Simplification
Focus on only one element at a time, such as line or texture.
Evaluation
1. What letters did children make?
3. Finally, write a two-page response answering the question: What is the primary purpose of your plan and how does each element of your activity plan relate to the purpose?
