Highscope Curriculum

Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Early Childhood Center (RELECC) uses the researched-based HighScope early childhood curricular program as a foundation for child development and learning. The program is designed for students with diverse learning needs, and enhances cognitive, socioemotional and physical development of children ages 3-5.

Through HighScope, children are viewed as active learners, and engage in learning through modeling, observing and verbal interactions with teachers. Children engage in both individual and social play, participate in small- and large-group activities, assist with cleanup, socialize during meals, develop self-care skills, and exercise their small and large muscles. The school day promotes structure through daily routines, and the cohesive instructional delivery approach of “Plan-Do-Review”. HighScope classrooms are arranged into centers for students to have easy access to learning manipulative’s supporting a balance of independent and co-dependent learning activities. Children having a choice in their learning activities are promoted and encouraged.

HighScope’s early childhood curricular program focuses on eight developmental content areas. Below is a listing of those content areas and the key developmental indicators assessed through-out the learning year. The HighScope curriculum is aligned to the Illinois Early Learning Standards and Common Core State Standards for early childhood programs.

RELECC uses the research-validated child assessment tool of COR Advantage to identify meaningful educational outcomes by gathering information in ways that are natural and comfortable for children. Data collected from the assessments are used to monitor student progress, as well as, guide future student instruction. Parents can connect with their child’s program through the Online COR component Family Network. Use the activity library to support your child’s learning, as well as, view photos and other information entered by your child’s teacher. RELECC is progressing towards HighScope program accreditation.

Specifics

General Approach

Children make plans and follow through on their intentions.
Children focus on activities that interest them.
Children solve problems encountered in play.
Children gather information and formulate ideas about their world.
Children reflect on their experiences.

Social and Emotional Development

Children have a positive self-identify.
Children feel they are competent
Children recognize, label, and regulate their feelings.
Children recognize, label, and regulate their feelings.
Children participate in the community of the classroom.
Children build relationships with other children and adults.
Children engage in cooperative play.
Children develop an internal sense of right and wrong.
Children resolve social conflicts.

Physical Development and Health

Children demonstrate strength, flexibility, balance, and timing in using their large muscles.
Children demonstrate dexterity and hand-eye coordination in suing their small muscles.
Children know about their bodies and how to navigate them in space.
Children carry out personal care routines on their own.
Children engage in healthy practices.

Language, Literacy, and Communication

Children understand language.
Children express themselves using language.
Children understand and use a variety of words and phrases.
Children identify distinct sounds in spoken language.
Children identify letter names and their sounds.
Children read for pleasure and information.
Children demonstrate knowledge about environmental print.
Children demonstrate knowledge about books.
Children write for many different purposes.
Children use English and their home languages(s)

Mathematics

Children recognize and use number words and symbols.
Children count things.
Children combine and separate quantities of objects.
Children identify, name, and describe shapes.
Children recognize spatial relationships among people and objects.
Children measure to describe, compare, and order things.
Children understand and use the concept of unit.
Children identify, describe, copy, complete, and create patterns.
Children use information about quantity to draw conclusions, make decisions, and solve problems.

Creative Arts

Children express and represent what they observe, think, imagine, and feel through two- and three-dimensional art.
Children express and represent what they observe, think, imagine, and feel through music.
Children appreciate the creative arts.
Children express and represent what they observe, think, imagine, and feel through movement.
Children express and represent what they observe, think, imagine, and feel through pretend play.

Science and Technology

Children observe the materials and processes in their environment.
Children classify materials, actions, people, and events.
Children experiment to test their ideas.
Children predict what they expect will happen. Children draw conclusions based on their experiences and observations.
Children communicate their ideas about the characteristics of things and how they work.
Children gather knowledge about the natural and physical world.
Children explore and use tools and technology.

Social Studies

Children understand that people have diverse characteristics, interests, and abilities.
Children recognize that people have different roles and functions in the community.
Children participate in making classroom decisions.
Children Recognize and interpret features and locations in their environment.
Children understand past, present, and future.
Children measure to describe, compare, and order things.
Children understand and use the concept of unit.
Children understand the importance of taking care of their environment.

* The HighScope early childhood curricular program is a research based program. To read up on the latest research studies or to learn more about HighScope, please go to www.highscope.org.