Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part One Inquiry-Based Learning and Curriculum Integration: An Overview
Chapter 1 An Introduction to Curriculum Integration and Inquiry Learning
A Brief History
Deeper Into the Theories
How Theory and Philosophy Influence the Profession
Integrating the Curriculum and Learning Through Inquiry: The Advantages
Integrating the Curriculum and Learning Through Inquiry: Potential Concerns
To Discuss
To Observe
To Do
Online Resources
Chapter 2 The Child-Centered Learning Environment
The Physical Environment
The Social-Emotional Environment
Classroom Management: Proactive and Predictable
To Discuss
To Observe
To Do
Online Resources
Chapter 3 Assessment and Standards
A Brief History
The Part That Standards Play
The Uses of Technology for Assessment
To Discuss
To Observe
To Do
Online Resources
Chapter 4 Connecting Curricula Through Themes and Units
The Subject Areas
Using Themes to Connect Curricula
Why Curriculum Webs
Concerns About Connecting Curricula With Themes
Using Units to Connect Curricula
The “All About Rain” Curriculum
Concerns About Connecting Curricula With Units
To Discuss
To Observe
To Do
Online Resources
Chapter 5 Inquiry-Based Learning
What Young Learners Need
Dispositions Toward Learning
Teaching for Understanding: Transfer, Relevance, and Engagement
Inquisitiveness and Young Learners: The Power of “Why?”
The Art of Questioning
Classification of Questions
Questions and “Wonders” Throughout the School Day
Integrating the Curriculum: The Foundation
Themes, Integration, and Inquiry-Based Learning
Project Work and Integration
Inquiry-Based Learning in Action
Suggestions for Project Work Based on Inquiry
To Discuss
To Observe
To Do
Online Resources
Part Two The Subject Areas
Chapter 6 Language and Literacy
Why Literacy Matters: A Brief History
Literacy and Child Development
Incorporating Literacy Into Daily Routines
A Child-Initiated Inquiry Experience
The Language and Literacy Curriculum
The Importance of Play
Technology and Early Childhood Literacy
Assessment and Evaluation
Taking Language and Literacy Outdoors
Preprimary Experiences: A Storybook Curriculum
Primary Experiences: Using Literacy as the Backbone of Inquiry-Based Learning
The Power of Inquiry Learning Through Integration
To Discuss
To Observe
To Do
Online Resources
Chapter 7 Mathematics
Beginning the Day With a Math Routine
Why Math Matters: A Brief History
Mathematics and Child Development
Incorporating Mathematics Into Daily Routines
A Child-Initiated Inquiry Experience
The Mathematics Curriculum
The Importance of Play
Technology and Early Childhood Mathematics
Assessment and Evaluation
Taking Mathematics Outdoors
Preprimary Experiences Incorporating Mathematics in Class Routines
Primary Experiences for Incorporating Math Into Class Routines
The Power of Inquiry Learning Through Integration
To Discuss
To Observe
To Do
Online Resources
Chapter 8 Science
First-Graders Learn About Sustainability
Why Science Matters: A Brief History
Science and Child Development
Incorporating Science Into Daily Routines
A Child-Initiated Inquiry Experience
The Science Curriculum
The Importance of Play
Technology and Early Childhood Science
Assessment and Evaluation
Taking Science Outdoors
Preprimary Experiences: Appreciating Nature
Primary Experiences: Are We Helping or Hurting Our Environment?
The Power of Inquiry Learning Through Integration
To Discuss
To Observe
To Do
Online Resources
Chapter 9 Social Studies
Kindergarteners Embrace Anthropology and Sociology
Why Social Studies Matters: A Brief History
Social Studies and Child Development
Incorporating Social Studies Into Daily Routines
A Child-Initiated Inquiry Experience
The Social Studies Curriculum
The Importance of Play
Technology and Early Childhood Social Studies
Assessment and Evaluation
Taking Social Studies Outdoors
Preprimary Experiences to Encourage Democracy: Citizens of the Classroom
Primary Experiences: Helping the Community Helpers
The Power of Inquiry Learning Through Integration
To Discuss
To Observe
To Do
Online Resources
Chapter 10 Music, Dramatic Play, and Drama
The Creation of a Primary Grade Musical Play
Why Music, Dramatic Play, and Drama Matter: A Brief History
Music, Dramatic Play, Drama, and Child Development
Incorporating Music, Dramatic Play, and Drama in Daily Routines
A Child-Initiated Inquiry Experience
The Music and Drama Curriculum
The Importance of Play
Technology and Early Childhood Music, Dramatic Play, and Drama
Assessment and Evaluation
Taking Music, Dramatic Play, and Drama Outdoors
Preprimary Experiences Celebrating Music and Dramatic Play Throughout the Curriculum
Primary Experiences That Continue to Provide Joy Through Music and Drama
The Power of Inquiry Learning Through Integration
To Discuss
To Observe
To Do
Online Resources
Chapter 11 Art
Art and the Field Trip
Why Art Matters: A Brief History
Art and Child Development
Incorporating Art in Daily Routines
A Child-Initiated Inquiry Experience
The Art Curriculum
The Importance of Play
Technology and Early Childhood Art
Assessment and Evaluation
Taking Art Outdoors
Preprimary Experiences for Integrating Art
Primary Experiences for Integrating Art
The Power of Inquiry Learning Through Integration
To Discuss
To Observe
To Do
Online Resources
Chapter 12 Movement and Physical Education
Suzanne Learns to Teach Movement Without Chaos
Why Movement and Physical Education Matter: A Brief History
Movement, Physical Education, and Child Development
Incorporating Movement Into Daily Routines
A Child-Initiated Inquiry Experience
The Movement and Physical Education Curriculum
The Importance of Play
Technology and Early Childhood Movement and Physical Education
Assessment and Evaluation
Taking Movement and Physical Education Outdoors
Preprimary Activities Celebrating Movement Throughout the Curriculum
Primary Experiences Celebrating Movement Throughout the Curriculum
The Power of Inquiry Learning Through Integration
To Discuss
To Observe
To Do
Online Resources
Part Three Concluding Thoughts
Chapter 13 The “Why” of Inquiry Learning and Curriculum Integration
Integrating Tolerance and Social Justice
How Thinking About Social Issues Develops
Tolerance
Social Justice
Demonstrating Sustainability
It Takes Time
To Discuss and To Do: Perpetual Questions
Index

"Now in a fully updated 3rd edition, The Early Childhood Curriculum demonstrates how to confidently teach using inquiry-based methods that address the whole child, while also meeting and exceeding academic standards. Based on current research showing the powerful advantages of integrating the curriculum while providing inquiry opportunities, this text explores how to make such an approach work for all children, preschool through the primary grades. Since each curricular subject has its own integrity, there is a chapter for each discipline, grounding the reader in the essentials of the subject in order to foster knowledgeable and effective integration. Filled with real-life vignettes and activities, this third edition provides comprehensive information on the most recent trends in national curriculum standards and classroom technology, alongside a new section exploring the outdoors as a welcome learning environment. Offering a foundation in early childhood theory, philosophy, research, and development, this unique textbook helps future teachers, as well as current educators, understand the "why" of curriculum in early childhood and invests them with the skills they need to move from simply following a script to knowledgeably creating curricula on their own"-- Provided by publisher.