Approaches to Curriculum and Instruction pg.3

Curriculum Webs or Emergent Curriculum

Many teachers respond to children’s spontaneous questions and interests with Curriculum Webs that interconnect activities. In this approach to curriculum a stimulus activity such as reading a book, for example Mouse Paint, may prompt questions about mice. Children may wonder—”where mice live, what they eat, what eats them, and what they do for fun?” This can become the framework for considering a study of the topic of mice that extends to a field trip to the pet shop to purchase a mouse as a classroom pet.

Again, using computers and software as tools for exploring, investigating, creating, and constructing facilitates linking of technology with curriculum. Drawing and then using KIDWARE Writer, a simple word processing program, offers representations of children’s new knowledge and understandings about interconnections in the world.

References

Bredekamp, S. (1988). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children birth through age eight. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Bredekamp, S. (1992) Reaching Potentials: Appropriate Curriculum and Assessment for Young Children. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Eliason, C.F. & Jenkins, L.T. (1986). A practical guide to early childhood curriculum. Columbus, OH: Merrill, Publishing Company.
Hendrick, J. (1986). Total learning: Curriculum for the young child. Columbus, OH: Merrill Publishing Company.
Katz, L. (1994) Reflections on the Reggio Emilia Approach. Redleaf Press.
Katz, L.G. & Chard, S.C. (1989). Engaging children's minds: The project approach. Stamford, CT: Ablex Publishing.
Kostelnik, M.J. (Ed.), Howe, D., Payne, K., Rohde, B., Spaulding, G., Stein, L., & Whitbeck, D. (1991). Teaching young children with themes. Glenview, IL: Good Year Books.
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Osborn, J.D. & Osborn, D.K. (1983) Cognition in Early Childhood. Education Assocs
Wellman, H. M. (1988). First steps in the child's theorizing about the mind. In Astington, J., Harris, P. L., and Olson, D. R. (Eds.). Developing theories of mind. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.