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Tip Sheets
All Tip Sheets
All Tip Sheets are available in English and Spanish (español). Most Tip Sheets are available in Polish (Polski). Selected Tip Sheets are available in Korean (한국어), Chinese (中文 (中国), Arabic (العربية), Russian (Русский) and French (Français). IEL Tip Sheets are easy-to-read, one-page resources on a variety of topics of interest to parents and teachers of young children. You can also search Tip Sheets by Topic.
Graphic Tip Sheets
Graphic Tip Sheets are meant for busy families. Put them on your refrigerator, corkboards, or other common household areas as quick reminders of important activities you can enjoy with your family.
Tip Sheets by Keyword
Tip Sheets by Series
PDF Collections
Order Tip Sheets
Videos & Podcast
Parenting Videos
These videos show some family activities that help infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children learn about the world. For each video we provide some background information, a transcript, and a list of resources about the topic.
Early Learning Moments Videos
The Illinois Early Learning Moments have been developed to assist infant/toddler care providers in implementing the strategies for interaction outlined in the Illinois Early Learning Guidelines for Children Birth to Age Three (IELGs). Each Early Learning Moment includes a video, information about the area being covered, suggestions for creating an environment to support children’s development, and a series of questions to help you assess whether your everyday environment and interactions support the development of the children under your care.
Guidelines Videos
These videos were filmed in various child care settings. For each video, we provide some brief background information, a transcript, and a description of strategies teachers or caregivers used to help children meet standards in the Illinois Early Learning Guidelines for Children Birth to Age 3. Having promised parents and the child care center that the children’s identities would remain anonymous, IEL has dubbed out any mentions of the children’s names in these videos. In the transcript and the introduction to the videos, we have inserted pseudonyms for the children.
Benchmark Videos
These videos were filmed in a variety of settings, including programs at public universities, community colleges, and private homes. For each video, we provide background information, a transcript, and a description of how various 2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development benchmarks are met.
Podcast
Podcasts are a great way to explore early childhood education topics on the go. The Illinois Early Learning Project will continue to add new audio content that can be streamed or downloaded to your device.
Standards & Guidelines
Illinois Early Learning Guidelines for Children Birth to Age 3
IELG Resources
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards
IELDS Resources
Illinois Learning Standards for Kindergarten
Kindergarten Standards Resources and KIDS Assessment
Blogs
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
Increasingly, children with developmental delays or disabilities attend child care or preschool programs where teachers may have limited information about how to include a child with special needs. Parents who have a child with special needs also may want to know more about adapting family activities to more fully include the child. View more blogs.
Culturally Responsive Practices
An increasing population of children entering child care or preschool who speak a home language other than English. This blog is intended to help parents and teachers support these children as they learn English and their home languages. View more blogs.
Learning and Growing Together
Children grow and develop rapidly in the first five years of life. Every day routines and playtimes provide rich opportunities for young children to learn. This blog explores practical and enjoyable ways that caregivers, families, and teachers can help children learn as they play and explore their world. View more blogs.
Perspectives on the Project Approach
View blogs by Lilian Katz, Sallee Beneke, or practicing early childhood directors. View more IEL blogs.
Learn More
Learning at Home Activities
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
The IEL staff has prepared a series of questions (and their answers!) on topics in early learning.
Resource Lists
These Resource Lists are related to popular topics and contain a wealth of information on early care and education.
Tool Kits
Our tool kits are designed to assist teachers and caregivers in their work with young children. The resources have been created as starting points for developing materials that address the individual needs of the children and families in their programs.
Faculty Resources
Search IEL Resources
Project Approach
Illinois Educators are invited to submit simple documentation of project work from their classrooms. IEL staff will help edit and publish your project! By sharing documentation of their experiences implementing the Project Approach, Illinois teachers can help each other learn new strategies and ideas for implementation.
Project Examples
Illinois Educators are invited to submit simple documentation of project work from their classrooms. IEL staff will help edit and publish your project! By sharing documentation of their experiences implementing the Project Approach, Illinois teachers can help each other learn new strategies and ideas for implementation.
Project Approach Tip Sheets
Perspectives on the Project Approach
View the most recent blog postings. View blogs by Lilian Katz, Sallee Beneke, or practicing early childhood directors.
Project Approach Resources
Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards
Acknowledgments
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
References and Resources
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
How to Navigate
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
Guiding Principles
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
Terminology
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
Development, Purposes, and Uses
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
Introduction
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
Preface
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
Celebrating 25 Years of IEL (2001-2026)
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
One Lesson, Many Content Areas
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
IELDS Crosswalks, Alignments, and Connections
IELDS Resources
Exploring the Sensory Table
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Waiting to Paint
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
The Blue Bowl
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
Lots of Dandelions
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Are You Being a Monkey?
Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Benchmark Videos
‘Look at Your Lines!’
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Maybe We Can Make a Road!
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
You’ve Got Blue Hands
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Look at It Go!
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Looks Swampy
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
Retelling “Caps for Sale”
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Talking About Numbers and Letters
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Reading Partners: Sharing the Lead in Storybook Reading
Videos
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Parenting Videos
Going Camping
Videos
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Parenting Videos
The Doggie and the Shark
Videos
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Parenting Videos
Dual Language Use During Choice Time
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Where the Chick Came From
Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Benchmark Videos
What’s in the Box
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Two on a Trike
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Transitioning
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Tattoos and Teakettles: “Housekeeping” Conversations
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Talking about Waterslide Models
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Straw Painting
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
“She Goes First”: Cooperative “Housekeeping” Play
Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Benchmark Videos
Shaving Cream
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Sara Measures
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Roland Draws a Garden
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
The Right Word: Conversation and Print During Pretend Play
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
One Morning in the Block Area
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
One Morning at the Construction Table
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Observing Chickens on the Playground
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley: Learning Through an Action Song
Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Benchmark Videos
Mozart Jazz Freight Train
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Mila Sticks With Art
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Mila Paints the Fence
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Magnets and Cars
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Mack Reads His Book
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Learning about a Stethoscope
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Keep It Moving: Playing With Hoops
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Ideas about a Marble Run
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Getting to Know Rabbits
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Flubber
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Fine Motor Skills and Safety
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Experimenting with Balance
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Exploring Windshield Wipers
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Exploring Trees on the Playground
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Exploring Sound on the Dam
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Explaining Cradle Construction
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
An Engineer Changes His Mind
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
Dustin’s French Horn Model
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Drawing a Friend
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Creative Movement: The Flower Dance
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Counting Crackers
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
Counting Chickens
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Constructing a Cradle
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
The Clock Repairman and His Tools
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Climbing a Tree
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Bouncing Balls
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Bethany Draws a Wheel
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Air and Tires
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Developmental Milestones, Infant Toddler Guidelines, and Early Learning Standards: Metrics for Young Children
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Comparing Firefighter Coats
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards: A Guide for Parents
IELDS Resources
The Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 26.B.ECa
IELDS Resources
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Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
The Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 25.B.ECa
IELDS Resources
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Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Physical Development and Health Lesson Addressing Benchmark 19.B.ECb
IELDS Resources
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Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Social Studies Lesson Addressing Benchmark 16.A.ECa
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
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IELDS Resources
Social Studies Lesson Addressing Benchmark 15.D.ECa
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
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IELDS Resources
Science Lesson Addressing Benchmark 12.B.ECb
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
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IELDS Resources
Science Lesson Addressing Benchmark 12.A.ECb
IELDS Resources
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Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Science Lesson Addressing Benchmark 11.A.ECf
IELDS Resources
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Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Math Lesson Addressing Benchmark 9.B.ECa
IELDS Resources
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Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Math Lesson Addressing Benchmark 8.A.ECa
IELDS Resources
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Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Math Lesson Addressing Benchmark 7.A.ECc
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
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IELDS Resources
Math Lesson Addressing Benchmark 6.B.ECb
IELDS Resources
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Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 5.B.ECb
IELDS Resources
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Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 4.D.ECa
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
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IELDS Resources
Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 3.B.ECa
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
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IELDS Resources
Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 2.B.ECa
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
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IELDS Resources
Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 1.C.ECa
IELDS Resources
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Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Social/Emotional Development
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
English Language Learner Home Language Development
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
The Arts
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
Physical Development and Health
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
Social Studies
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
Science
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
Mathematics
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
Language Arts
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
Math Lesson Addressing Benchmark 10.B.ECa
IELDS Resources
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Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
The Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 25.A.ECc
IELDS Resources
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Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
List of goals, standards, and benchmarks
IELDS Resources
