Early Learning Project
March 4, 2004 How to Enrich Curriculum with the Illinois Early Learning StandardsLinda Housewright
Teacher and Director, Pre-Kindergarten Program, Dallas City, Illinois Community Unit District #336, and Faculty, Western Illinois
The Illinois Early Learning Standards—32 goals, 62 standards, and 105 benchmarks—support a common learning experience for all young children in Illinois. The Standards also give credibility to and encourage respect for teachers of young children. Teachers who embrace them realize that the Standards are not a completely new set of rules and routines, but that they represent what most of us do every day in our classrooms. I, too, was unsure where the Standards would fit into my classroom. I thought they were written in a language "foreign" to early childhood educators. I ran from my principal, until one day I was asked to field test the new Standards. I "signed on," not because I believed in them, but to prove that the Standards were not appropriate for what I was doing in my classroom. That was three years ago, and now I truly believe that these Standards are the best set of guidelines written anywhere in the country.
The Illinois Early Learning Standards guide practice in our classrooms. They represent our goals for children in the natural environment we created for them and in which they learn and grow. They are developmentally appropriate and based on scientific research. These standards were written, field tested, and reviewed by experts from across the country, and then they were given back to teachers to review again. The Standards are often called "drafts" so that they can be changed in the future to better meet the needs of our children. The Illinois Early Learning Standards were designed to be the first step in creating effective preschool curriculum. They apply to the whole child, including his or her social/emotional needs.
The Illinois Early Learning Standards are organized to parallel the K-12 Illinois Learning Standards. Early childhood education is now a credible part of the educational system of this state. We should not avoid the Standards but rather should be proud to have them as part of our practice. I urge all teachers to take the opportunity to look beyond their own comfort zone, to take the time to find out what really is in that little yellow book that so many people are talking about. We expect our children to be problem solvers and risk takers. We encourage them to reach their highest learning levels every day. I challenge each of you to become actively involved with the Illinois Early Learning Standards and to begin to appreciate what they will give to you and the children in this state.
Web Resources
- Illinois Early Learning Standards
This PDF file is a source to use to print out a copy of the Illinois Early Learning Standards.
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/standards/ielstandards-mar02.pdf - Pautas
de aprendizaje infantil de Illinois
This Web site contains the Illinois Early Learning Standards in Spanish.
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/standards/index-sp.htm - Early
Literacy Framework: Handbook for Early Childhood Classrooms
This teacher resource handbook from the Chicago Public Schools Office of Early Childhood Education is aligned to the Illinois Early Learning Standards-Language Arts and Foreign Language Benchmarks.
http://www.ecechicago.org/teacher/handbooks/lit-framework.html - Child
Assessment Profile: Handbook for the Classroom Team
This handbook from the Chicago Public Schools Office of Early Childhood Education includes benchmarks, objectives. and activities in seven learning areas: language and literacy development, mathematics, science, creative arts, social and emotional development, social science, and physical development and health. The purpose of this handbook is to help teachers determine if a child’s development is beginning to be developed, partially developed, or well developed in all the learning areas.
http://www.ecechicago.org/resources/pdfs/profile01.pdf - Linking
Standards and Engaged Learning in the Early Years
This article, by Judy Harris Helm and Gaye Gronlund, recommends a decision-making process for documenting children's performance as it relates to standards in a way that is consistent with how young children demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v2n1/helm.html - The
Project Approach: Meeting the State Standards
This paper, by Dot Schuler, suggests that when engaged in project work, children apply most of the skills identified in the age-appropriate state learning standards.
http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v2n1/schuler.html - Utah
Curriculum Resources: Kindergarten Core Curriculum
This curriculum guide from the Utah Education Network links lesson plans to core curriculum for kindergarten.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/LPview?grade=0
ERIC Database: Selected Records
To search the ERIC database for resources on this topic, use this search strategy: preschool curriculum or preschool education or early childhood education. Combine with Illinois. Also, early childhood education combined with state standards.
How to Obtain ERIC Documents and Journal Articles:
References identified with an ED (ERIC document)or EJ (ERIC journal) are cited in the ERIC database. ERIC Documents (citations identified by an ED number) may be available in full text from ERIC at no cost at the ERIC Web site: http://www.eric.ed.gov. Journal articles are available from the original journal, interlibrary loan services, or article reproduction clearinghouses.
If you would like to conduct your own free ERIC database searches via the Internet, go directly to http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/basic.jsp
- ERIC Document No.: ED463050
Illinois Early Childhood Program Standards Matrix. (A Side-by-Side Comparison)
Author Affiliation: Illinois State Dept. of Human Services, East St. Louis. Head Start State Collaboration Office
Publication Date: January 2002
Availability: Illinois Head Start State Collaboration Office, 10 Collinsville Avenue, Suite 203, East St. Louis, IL 62201
Abstract: This document contains a matrix offering a side-by-side comparison of almost 40 criteria among 7 sets of early childhood program standards. Criteria compared include mission, age range, group size, aspects of curriculum, screening and assessment, transitions, and parent education. - ERIC Journal
No.: EJ652567
Projects and Themes. Beginnings Workshop
Author(s): Pelo, Ann; And Others
Availability: Child Care Information Exchange, n144 p37-52 Mar-Apr 2002
Publication Date: 2002
Abstract: Four articles address topics related to projects and themes. - ERIC Document No.: ED440385
Using Literature To Help Emergent Readers Develop Concepts in Math, Social Studies, and Science
Author: Donoghue, Mildred R.
Publication Date: April 06, 2000
Available from: EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.
Abstract: This annotated bibliography features some examples of titles recommended by "Best Books for Children," which carry content standards recently established by national organizations and/or state departments of education for the lower grades. - ERIC Document No.: ED456895
Emergent Literacy in Kindergarten: A Review of the Research and Related Suggested Activities and Learning Strategies
Author(s): Robinson, Violet B.; Ross, Gretchen; Neal, Harriet C.
Publication Date: 2000
Availability: California Kindergarten Association, 1710 South Amphlett Blvd., Suite 117, San Mateo, CA 94402
Abstract: This book reviews research on emergent literacy among preschool and kindergarten children and provides suggestions for kindergarten teachers to create instructional programs that enhance children's literacy learning and to avoid developmentally inappropriate practices. The book lists learning strategies related to California standards. - ERIC Document
No.: ED466003
Writing Instructional Intervention Supplement, Grades K-3
Author Affiliation: Mississippi State Dept. of Education, Jackson
Publication Date: 2002
Availability: Mississippi Dept. of Education, Office of Instructional Development, P.O. Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205
Abstract: This supplement is a resource for helping kindergarten through third-grade students show increasing competence in understanding and using standard English to produce oral and written communication that is readily understood by others. - ERIC Document No.:
ED460069
It's about Time: Kindergarten Model Lesson for Standard 5. California History-Social Science Course Models
Author: Porter, Priscilla
Publication Date: 2001
Availability: California Department of Education, 721 Capitol Mall, 6th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
Abstract: In this unit, students develop concepts of "time" as they place events in temporal order. The assessment of the lesson is integrated with the instruction and occurs throughout the lesson. - ERIC Document No.: ED460068
What Is a Map? Kindergarten Model Lesson for Standard 4. California History-Social Science Course Models
Author(s): Gallardo, Marilyn; Porter, Priscilla
Publication Date: 2001
Availability: California Department of Education, 721 Capitol Mall, 6th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
Abstract: This lesson helps students describe where they live, develop an understanding of the geography of their neighborhood, and compare and contrast their area with other areas both near and far. The lesson addresses the geographic literacy strand of the California History-Social Science Framework by helping students understand maps. - ERIC Document No.: ED460066
Patriotic Symbols: Kindergarten Model Lesson for Standard 2. California History-Social Science Course Models
Author: Porter, Priscilla
Publication Date: 2001
Availability: California Department of Education, 721 Capitol Mall, 6th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
Abstract: This unit is designed to help students understand what patriotic symbols are and that the nation and the state have symbols and icons to represent thoughts, feelings, emotions, and physical objects. It also provides assessment activities and extended and correlated activities.
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The opinions, resources, and referrals provided on the IEL Web site are intended for informational purposes only and are not intended to take the place of medical or legal advice, or of other appropriate services. We encourage you to seek direct local assistance from a qualified professional if necessary before taking action.
The content of the IEL Web site does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education; nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education.