Play is serious business. Whether it's reenacting a favorite book (comprehension and close reading), negotiating the rules for a game (speaking and listening), or collaborating over building blocks (college and career readiness and STEM), Kristi Mraz, Alison Porcelli, and Cheryl Tyler see every day how play helps students reach standards and goals in ways that in-their-seat instruction alone can't do. And not just during playtimes. "We believe there is play in work and work in play," they write. "It helps to have practical ways to carry that mindset into all aspects of the curriculum." In Purposeful Play, they share ways to: optimize and balance different types of play to deepen regular classroom learning teach into play to foster social-emotional skills and a growth mindset bring the impact of play into all your lessons across the day. "We believe that play is one type of environment where children can be rigorous in their learning," Kristi, Alison, and Cheryl write. So they provide a host of lessons, suggestions for classroom setups, helpful tools and charts, curriculum connections, teaching points, and teaching language to help you foster mature play that makes every moment in your classroom instructional. Play doesn't only happen when work is over. Children show us time and time again that play is the way they work. In Purposeful Play, you'll find research-driven methods for making play an engine for rigorous learning in your classroom.

Discover new, practical methods for teaching literacy skills in your early childhood classroom. Has teaching early literacy skills become a stumbling block to getting your preschool students kindergarten ready? Break out of the tired “letter of the week” routine and learn how to transform your lessons with fun and effective techniques. Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers will equip teachers to infuse every aspect of their teaching with exciting hands-on literacy teaching methods that engage students and help them build authentic connections with books, so that 100% of their students will have a strong literacy foundation and will be fully prepared for success in kindergarten and beyond. Respected author Vanessa Levin, veteran early childhood educator and author of the “Pre-K Pages” blog, breaks down the research and translates it into realistic, actionable steps you can take to improve your teaching. Features specific examples of teaching techniques and activities that engage students in hands-on, experiential learning during circle time, centers, and small groups. Offers a simple, four-step system for teaching literacy skills, based on the foundational principles of early literacy teaching Demonstrates how to build your confidence in your ability to get 100% of your students ready for kindergarten, long before the end of the school year Understand the problems with traditional literacy teaching and identify gaps in your current teaching practice with this valuable resource.

Giving your preschooler a great start in math doesn’t have to be complicated. Learn how to use fun but purposeful games and activities to give your young child the best possible foundation. Preschool Math at Home will guide you step-by-step as you introduce your preschooler to the world of numbers. Your child will develop a thorough understanding of the numbers up to ten, including: counting comparing and ordering numbers recognizing written numerals beginning addition and subtraction All of the activities are quick and playful, with lots of movement, manipulatives, and games. Each takes less than five minutes, with no special materials needed other than a few household items. Play each game several times for a full year of preschool math curriculum.

Stretch children's minds and imaginations - and help them meet the standards - with dozens and dozens of fresh activities for your classroom learning centers. each of the five sections of this treasury is devoted to a different learning center - literacy, math, dramatic play, blocks, and art. Within each section, you'll find delightful ideas and projects that integrate math, literacy, science, and more. These flexible, cross-curricular activities are designed to engage children, foster independent learning, and develop essential skills. Create learning center magig in your classroom each and every day!--

The Creative Curriculum comes alive! This videotape-winner of the 1989 Silver Apple Award at the National Educational Film and Video Festival-demonstrates how teachers set the stage for learning by creating a dynamic well-organized environment. It shows children involved in seven of the interest areas in the The Creative Curriculum and explains how they learn in each area. Everyone conducts in-service training workshops for staff and parents or who teaches early childhood education courses will find the video an indispensable tool for explainin appropriate practice.

National teacher preparation standards in gifted and talented education provide the foundation for research-based practices in gifted education and identify what teachers should know and be able to do to ensure that students with gifts and talents realize their full potential. Because the responsibility for teaching gifted learners and those with potential to achieve at high levels is often shared between gifted education program leaders and teachers in general and special education classrooms, this book shows Pre-K-12 education leaders how to develop partnerships, identify professional development outcomes, design learning activities, plan and implement comprehensive training programs, and evaluate the effectiveness of professional development activities. Special attention is paid to effecting change within a state and school system. Tools provided include sample needs assessments, student and teacher observation instruments, and a sample professional development plan.

The Pre-K–Grade 12 Gifted Education Programming Standards should be part of every school district’s repertoire of standards to ensure that the learning needs of advanced students are being met. The new edition of this popular book helps schools understand the updates to the standards, which have a renewed emphasis on equity and inclusion. The six standards focus on student outcomes in learning and development, assessment, curriculum planning and instruction, learning environments, programming, and professional learning (updated from professional development used in the 2010 version). This book details these standards and provides suggestions for implementing each one. It also includes sample assessments of student products and performances, which will assist schools in developing program and service evaluation benchmarks. This book is a must-have for school leaders and gifted education professionals who want to offer the most effective services for gifted and advanced students. It is a service publication of the National Association for Gifted Children (Washington, DC). This designation indicates that this book has been jointly developed with NAGC and that this book passes the highest standards of scholarship, research, and practice.