Vermont Core Teaching Standards

Standard 8.

The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

8.2 The teacher encourages learners to develop deep understanding of content areas, makes connections across content, and applies content knowledge in meaningful ways.

Evidence 1:

Photos of the science area studying the Monarch Butterfly life cycle, Photos

Description:

Photos of how I set up the science area studying the lifecycle of the monarch butterfly.

Analysis/Reflection:

My program philosophy states: "The philosophy of my program is to provide a safe, nurturing, healthy play-based environment. By providing a play-based hands-on emergent curriculum learning environment, children can explore freely and expand their knowledge at their own pace and level. Through “play” children receive a balance of developmentally age appropriate activities and experiences in the areas of physical growth and development, fine/gross motor exploration, language skills, social skills, and self help skills." This statement rings true to how I provide lessons and activities for the children in my program.

Nature and life science is a very big aspect of my program, and I try to fully engage the children with as many developmentally appropriate materials and activities as possible. I believe that in order for children to fully grasp a concept, it needs to be authentic and real. For the science area theme of the monarch butterfly, I provide many real life specimens and materials for the children to observe and explore. This instructional strategy of authentic materials allows the children to fully comprehend the lesson presented.

8.2

8.2

Evidence 2:

Photos of my indoor classrooms that are Reggio inspired. Photos

Description:

I am submitting evidence of photos of my indoor learning environment that has features and characteristics of the Reggio Amelia approach.

Analysis/Reflection:

As a Reggio inspired program, I pay special attention to creating an environment that enables children to develop relationships with the world around them, themselves and each other. Taking into consideration the look, feel, and especially regarding the environment as the third teacher, my goal through the Reggio inspiration is to create a warm, welcoming, nurturing, home-like environment. Reggio environments respect the need for comfort and places to be able to relax and enjoy their time in the space. The use of pops of color, light, and mirrors reflect a sense of wonder and imagination. There are many spaces in my program that I have created to engage the children to become inviting and encourage exploration.

8.2

8.2

Evidence 3:

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Mission Statement, Statement, Photos

Description:

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Mission Statement is:

NAEYC promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.

Analysis/Reflection:

I fully agree with NAEYC's mission statement. All educators should encourage learners to develop a deep understanding of the content areas and make connections in meaningful ways by providing a high-quality

early learning environment for all children. This can be done through an educators level of education in the field, respecting the children and their families, and recognize that children reach their full potential by exploring and creating in a safe, trusting learning environment. Attached below are some pictures of my learning environment.

NAEYC Statement:

" NAEYC promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children."