Integrating Math and Science in Early Childhood Classrooms Through Big Ideas offers teachers a way to think about the future classroom and to meet the needs of children who come to into it with diverse experience, knowledge, and abilities. "Change how we think about math and science for young children," the authors say in their Preface. "Instead of separating the disciplines, planning lessons and topics and projects aimed at math OR science content, let's look at the world the way the child does. Children think in terms of big ideas." In this unique book, the authors focus on big ideas-like patterns, transformation, movement, balance, and relationships-as a way to think about content, and they integrate science and mathematics through these big ideas, rather than linking them topically. The book looks at why it is important to think about thinking, introduces assessment early to help the teacher plan for assessment before teaching even begins, and sets up an environment that will support the construction of the big ideas that integrate math and science. Real-life scenarios provide invaluable insights into the teacher's thinking and planning, and each chapter includes two modules to be used for in-depth exploration of different aspects of the big ideas. It's a unique exploration of thinking and learning. The First Edition of Integrating Math and Science in Early Childhood Classrooms Through Big Ideas includes: Show future teachers why it is important to think about thinking. The first part of the book looks at this new way of teaching--the underlying framework of big ideas as a way to integrate math and science. Help students plan for assessment before teaching begins. Chapter 2 provides the knowledge needed in this critical area of teaching. Help students construct meaningful understandings of how math and science can be integrated through the big ideas that form the structure for any curriculum. Engage students in classroom experiences through real-life scenarios, illustrations, and photos. Introduce students to the ideas that form the foundation of a well-integrated curriculum. In an engaging style, the book is laid out to support real-life planning in a classroom.

Math and Science for Young Children, 5e is a unique reference that focuses on the integration of math and science with the other important areas of child development during the crucial birth through eight age range. It also carefully addresses the ever changing and significant national standards of the following organizations: The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), National Council of Teachers of Math (NCTM), National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the National Research Council (NRC). A valuable resource for the student learner, working professional, as well as the involved parent, Math and Science for Young Children, 5e is the most current volume of information of its' kind available on the market today.

Inquiry into Math, Science and Technology for Teaching Young Children uses current theory as foundation for the rich and varied math and science curriculum in preschool and kindergarten. The curriculum in this text easily embraces developmentally appropriate practice, emergent curriculum, Reggio Emilia and the Project Approach. Students can connect the rich math and science curriculum with the national standards in math and science plus the NAEYC Early Childhood Professional Preparation Standards. By using the ways we know children learn best, students are guided to develop their own curriculum for children while incorporating the national standards. The text guides early childhood students to inquire how children learn by capturing the innate curiosity and emerging thinking skills of young children. The writing of this text invites students to explore math and science inquiry themselves, to engage in the curiosity and innovative thinking of young children, and become immersed in their new concept of teaching through experiencing children's learning.

The foundation for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education begins in the early years. This book provides more than ninety activities and learning center ideas that seamlessly integrate STEM throughout early childhood classrooms. These hands-on STEM experiences enhance cooking, art, and music activities, block play and sensory table exploration, and field trips and outdoor time. Information on assessment and early learning standards is also provided. Sally Moomaw, EdD, has spent much of her career researching and teaching STEM education. She is an assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati and the author of several early education books.

Early childhood teachers can become inspired math teachers-seeing math in children's literature and everyday routines, communicating their own excitement, and making significant improvements in children's math learning by understanding the Big Ideas.