Reflection for Standard 3: Content and Curriculum Expertise

One of the key features of a successful teacher is having the knowledge and training
to understand and implement the curriculum in their classroom. With the budget crisis in
our state and more and more teachers and support staff being let go, it sometimes falls on
the teachers themselves to learn and implement new concepts being thrown at them. That
is why it is so important that teachers have a deep understanding of the subjects they teach
and understand curriculum theory and development. It is also essential that teachers are
able to model the integration of 21st century content and skills into their educational
practices. The Early Childhood graduate program through its course and assignment
selection has given many opportunities to develop and deepen our understanding of these
concepts.
During the fall semester of 2013, I participated in RES 5040 (Teacher as
Researcher). During that class I put together an Action Research Project that was designed
to address classroom research questions appropriate for 21st century content and skills.
The topic of my action research project also focused on the High/Scope curriculum, which I
use in my classroom, so it gave me the opportunity to delve deeper into the contents of this
curriculum. This project was continued in our internship the next semester so I feel that
after the action research project and the internship, I had a true understanding of the
High/Scope curriculum and how to implement it appropriately in my classroom.
For the action research project I conducted an interview and observation. This
enabled me to discover and learn about different activities that I could use to help
strengthen the Plan, Do, Review method in my classroom. It also helped me to see firsthand
what the Plan, Do, Review method looked like in a classroom. I feel that both methods of

data collection were essential in this process because I was able to get a well-rounded view
of the Plan, Do, Review method. I grew in many ways during this process. I found that I
better understood how to implement the planning and review time in my classroom. By
using different strategies such as using binoculars, choo-choo train and rolling a ball, the
children were more engaged in the planning process. For review time, I found that having
the children bring an item they engaged with during centers helped the children to
remember and review what they did during their free choice play time.
I also learned to use my planning and review notes to gather data for my COR
observations. I found patterns in where the children played and who they played with. I
have become a more engaged observer during the do time. I get down on the childrens
level, ask questions and listen to the conversations between the children. I am also able to
help scaffold the children to implement the plan that they have made for their day. I now
understand the importance of planning ahead and planning purposeful and meaningful
activities that go in line with what the childrens interests are.
During the summer semester of 2013, I participated in FCS 5100 (Application and
Theories of Child Development). During that class I was asked to compose a TheoryPhilosophy Assignment, about my beliefs on how development unfolds and which theorists
support my beliefs on topics that include: nature vs. nurture, qualitative vs. quantitative
change, the mechanism for change in development, critical experiences children need to
facilitate development, minimal and optimal environment needed by children, and atypical
development. I have learned that it is important to understand how children develop and
learn so that we can attune to their development and provide positive experiences and
interactions as well as provide the best possible environment to create quality learning

experiences. It is also important to study the different theorists and align your thoughts
and believes with particular theorists to best understand your viewpoint on development
and to be able to apply these viewpoints to your teaching practices.
During the fall semester of 2013, I participated in FCS 5112 (Advanced
Developmental Curriculum and Instruction for Young Children). During that class we were
placed into groups with two other classmates. We were asked to assess a center in one of
our classrooms (we chose my classroom) and assess the children who played in the center
to find areas of concern. Based on Foundations, the guidelines outlined in our book as well
as other curriculum assessments (COR in our case) we changed the center to meet the
guidelines and address those areas of concern. We were also able to collaborate with
families and include them in the process (Dramatic Play and Individual ReflectionDesigning a Learning Center).
One aspect that I have learned is the importance of following the childrens interest.
When you follow the childs interest they will be more engaged with the activity and they
will have ownership of the activity because they were included in the preparation of it.
Following the childs interest is a topic that we covered during our undergraduate program
however, when I went through the undergrad program I was not a teacher nor had I ever
been in a classroom type setting. I did not understand to the fullest amount what it meant
to follow a child's interest because I had not had an on-going experience to back up the
information learned during those classes. It is now that I can actually form an
understanding of this topic from my own experiences in the classroom.
Another aspect that I have learned was the importance of planning ahead and taking
the time to change/prepare the classroom or materials. Often times we get so busy with

paperwork and just everyday life that we forget that we need to take the time to change out
our materials. Just like we get tired of looking or doing the same things, children get tired of
the same toys and materials. It is important to change out materials ever so often to keep
engagement going as well as to work with different types of skill sets, such as shapes, fine
motor, colors, one to one correspondence etc. It is important to be a careful observer and
see what items the children arent playing with anymore or when they get the materials out
and do a couple things with it and then quickly put it back on the shelf. Those are some
hints that it is time to change out materials.
One last aspect I have learned is the importance of understanding and monitoring
where children are developmentally. It is so very important to understand where a child is
and what the next steps would be for them to help them continue to grow. When you know
where they are developmentally you are able to plan activities and experiences that will
challenge them. By not knowing you might unknowingly give the child something too hard
for them to understand or you could possibly be giving them activities that dont challenge
them enough. By not being challenged some children begin to get bored and could act out. I
found how important my COR observation notes are. They show a picture of what the child
is able to do and what types of things you would be seeing in the next stage.
In conclusion, before a teacher can truly understand the development of the
children in their class and before they can support them to reach their maximum potential
it is imperative that a teacher understands the curriculum they teach and the development
of the child. I feel that through the coursework in the above named classes I have developed
a strong understanding of the content that I teach. I feel that I now have a strong

foundation of knowledge of the High/Scope curriculum and can implement is successfully