The daycare center I currently teach at uses the Creative Curriculum. We use studies with the children and I'm not finding this to be an easy thing to do. I have used themes and love the themes. I can create plans and lessons based on those themes and use student interests such as Frozen the movie to create things for them. Are studies to be used only in CC or is it ok to use a variety of themes through the year??
I used to work at a center that used Creative Curriculum, but only for a little while, FWIW. If you're following the curriculum closely, you aren't supposed to do premade projects with them, it's all about kid creativity and freedom. So, no coloring sheets, worksheets, or projects where kids do things in a specific way. Let's say you're studying snow/winter. You might give the kids black paper with white paint and let them paint snow. Some kids would paint dots. Some would do lines. You'd get a variety of paintings, and any and all of them would be fine. Contrast that with a project where you have precut circles, hats, and carrots to make snowmen. You show the kids where to glue the shapes, show them your perfect snowman model, and have the kids try to make theirs look like yours. CC doesn't do that, because (according to the curriculum), it can make the kids feel bad that their snowman isn't as perfect as it could be. Units are supposed to be child led; if kids are into finding bugs on the playground, you might lead a unit on bugs. I think you could still guide kids to have certain interests. Now, in practice... I read through the whole curriculum, but I'm quite sure that I'm the only one who did at my school. Teachers just did what they wanted. Many teachers did themes and premade projects. We only were a "Creative Curriculum" school by name, and not in practice. I'd suggest finding out what the standard is in your school before worrying too much!
We use CC at my school. Do you have the online lesson planner? It requires you to state a theme or area of study.
I am 1st year gsrp teacher and use creative curriculum. Could someone please help me with a September back to school lesson plan they might quickly have to get me started or show me what it looks like??????
Thank you all for your replies. Bonneb I do not have the online lesson planner. Do you the link that you can share? I'd like to review it.
My new job uses CC but they haven't even shown me the curriculum yet & I have no clue where they keep it. I've been so focused on getting the room ready, I keep forgetting about the actual lesson planning part! Ugh. Any info/advice on CC would be great. I've never used it before. I loved the curriculum at my last school..
Newbie here ...I just posted in a thread RE the CC I was at a prior Prek where I could do whatever I had themes , I taught letters colors numbers writing math etc with hands on stuff ! This CC is making me coocoo for coca puffs!! Not to mention they "say" we have to abide by it but the LEAD teacher does not ... I see such potential in the classroom .... But the consistency with the leaders is less than desirable ...& I know the chaos is happening is because of high #'s lack of training .... High days we have 17-22 kids ages 2.5-4.5 They come and go at different times Plus we have to enforce encouragement vs praise No more saying "good job" Or "what do you need sweetie " I feel like I'm back at square one with schooling Need to find a way to work it out Signed Sincerely Torn
Never found it; haven't seen a trace of it anywhere. Looks like every teacher does their own theme, lessons, activities, etc. I don't know why we claim to use CC when we actually don't.
This was the case at the preschool I was at. I imagine saying you have a curriculum is part of licensure.
Ah, probably. We are govt funded so everything is seen through dollar signs.. so I guess that would affect how much we get next year? I don't know; it's a new job so I'm still learning their ways, I guess. It's so different from the private school I taught at previously! I would think they would be more strict about that kind of stuff and actually provide us with the curriculum though!
At my school, I borrowed copies from the director. She made it sound like, "Oh, the books aren't in your room? Here, I'll be generous and let you borrow mine!" But I think she had the only copies. Either way, though, check with your director. There should be at least one copy somewhere that you can read.
She was actually the one that showed me how to fill out the lesson plan form and she didn't use CC either. She gave me 2 books that we have to use to do lesson plans but neither of them are CC related
It is so maddening! WE HAVE IT-- but it doesnt really get used--- im so confused-- been trying to find my place here-- right now i feel like a babysitter---- going to ask for a meeting with co teacher & director---
I used creative Curriculum when I was teaching. After my room was set up properly, I found it easy. It eliminated the formal table time with the entire group. If you're still interested, I'd be happy to explain how I did it in more detail.
Do you happen to know why you can't ask "What do you need?" I listen to a lot of Lisa Murphy (Ooey Gooey Lady) and she is always talking about asking children what they need to keep everything child-centered. I guess I am just curious about the why on that one..
We are the same. We have to use their first names along with the cute/pet names (eg., "Hi Hannah, what do you need, sweetie?") But back to the original topic, I FINALLY GOT A CREATIVE CURRICULUM BOOK!! ... just in time for our federal review next week. Interesting timing, right?
