Based on the findings of recent studies, Preschool Readers and Writers presents research-based, classroom-tested practices for bringing the magic and joy of reading to young children.  This workshop explains how children’s reading and writing develop in the preschool years and what adults can do to encourage these processes as well as provides timely tips, activity ideas, materials lists, photos and classroom examples.

The Growing Readers Early Literacy Curriculum is a comprehensive set of detailed plans for more than 90 teacher-led small-group activities and accompanying children's book collection. The activities actively engage and instruct young children in literacy comprehension, phonological awareness, alphabetic principle, and concepts about print.

The Growing Readers Early Literacy Curriculum features:

• A comprehensive teacher guide, including complete instructions, background information, Scope and Sequence, Individual and Group Progress Profiles and Activity Log
• Over 90 Small-Group Activity Cards with detailed instructions for classroom activities
• 21 Short Activity and Teaching Strategy Cards
• 34 Letter Links Cards
• 17 Quick Look Cards
• 16 Support Cards
• A richly varied collection of nine new and classic children's books (Shipped under separate cover.)

Participants in this workshop will review the various components of the Growing Readers Curriculum as well as how it should be integrated in the early childhood classroom.

Our young children deserve the best!  It is difficult to find research-based information that supports all aspects of early childhood development.  The HighScope Preschool Curriculum provides educators with research-based information that is hands-on, active, and applicable to all learners, no matter their needs.  This five day series will introduce participants to HighScope and provide for implementation of each concept.  This course will include outside work and classroom visitation.  Course work must be completed to receive credit hours.

Children naturally enjoy moving and making sounds. As teachers, we can use these innate abilities and build on them to create the foundational experiences children need to develop language and literacy skills. This workshop is the result of years of research and development from the HighScope Foundation. Participants will learn how to use music and movement to make literacy connections.

“Through movement and music young children learn about their own physical abilities, the world around them, and their relationships with others.  For young children, movement is a key to understanding and acquiring knowledge, and music becomes another language in which young children learn about themselves and others.” (HighScope Foundation)  This workshop helps teachers understand the importance of music and movement in the daily routine with preschoolers.  Participants will actively engage in various types of movement activities directed at developing teaching strategies geared toward our youngest and most active students.

An exciting way to teach math to young children!  The Numbers Plus Preschool Mathematics Curriculum is a comprehensive set of detailed plans for small and large-group activities with ideas for extending mathematics learning throughout the program day.  By actively engaging young children with materials and ideas, Numbers Plus builds on the latest knowledge from research and practice about early mathematics learning and how adults support it.  Aligned with the standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and developed under a grant from the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, the 120 activities in Numbers Plus are divided into the five content areas of: 

• Number Sense and Operations
• Geometry
• Measurement
• Algebra
• Data Analysis

Region 20 offers the HighScope Preschool Curriculum Course to foster inclusive practices and improve outcomes for all learners.  This four-week program focuses on child development, developmentally appropriate practices, and participants’ educational development. (www.highscope.org).  The training consists of week-long sessions that occur throughout the school year and summer.

Teams of general and special education teachers are encouraged to attend.  Participants must attend all four weeks of training in order to receive certification through the HighScope Foundation.