Ensuring Readiness:
Meet UPK Standards with Learning Genie
Start
Contents
02
Intro
Developmentally Informed Instructional Contexts
Universal Pre-K Curriculum Checklist
03
01
Developmentally Informed Instructional Strategies
Developmentally Informed Content
learning Genie
UPK
Universal Pre-KCurriculum Checklist
learning Genie
Introduction
In line with the Science of Learning and Development principles, it's crucial for 4-year-old children to have developmentally appropriate experiences in the year before kindergarten. To achieve this, UPK programs should combine various curricula and learning activities. When selecting curricula, ensure they connect to students' experiences, foster motivation, integrate social-emotional skills, and promote metacognition.
A blend of child-directed play and teacher-guided activities is essential, focusing on home language skills and social-emotional development. This approach doesn't sacrifice meaningful learning; it sparks joy, creativity, and foundational skills.
This UPK Curriculum Guide is designed to assist educators in ensuring developmentally appropriate and well-informed instruction. Discover how Learning Genie can help cover the entire UPK Checklist to support your efforts in achieving these educational goals.
learning Genie
Developmentally Informed Content
Supporting all nine domains in the California Preschool/TK Learning Foundations (PTKLF) is vital. However, for 4-year-old children, the curriculum should prioritize evidence-based instruction in math, language, literacy, and promote integrated activities for social-emotional learning.
learning Genie
Element 2. Language and Literacy Learning
Element 1. Social-Emotional Learning
Strengthening home language skills is another foundational element of a UPK program experience. While not every teacher will be able to speak the home language of every student, it is important to identify curricula, instructional practices, or community partners that can embed the linguistic variability of students in your community. And if more than a third of students share the same non-English home language in a classroom, it is highly recommended that a bilingual lead or assistant teacher is hired to support in this language.
Social-emotional learning is the foundation of a UPK program experience (see Learning Stems from Play graphic). Opportunities for social-emotional learning may occur at designated times of the UPK program day, but ideally they are integrated across the curriculum to allow more opportunities to practice social-emotional skills across various settings and situations. Learning Genie provides lessons for Social-Emotional Learning.
learning Genie
Developmentally Informed Content
Element 4. Developmentally Informed Curriculum Themes
Element 3. Mathematics Learning
While discrete domains of development—such as literacy and math—should be included in a UPK curriculum approach, children need to make meaning of their learning and experience connections across domains. This is best achieved through organizing content across thematic units and project-based studies that are developmentally appropriate and informed. Learning Genie's Curriculum features 6 Thematic Units and the ability to create your own using our Reflective Planning Module.
Mathematics in UPK includes a wide range of concepts and ideas that are intricately connected and should be taught through strengthening children’s problem-solving and reasoning processes. Math is everywhere in a child’s environment and it is important to capitalize on the wonder and joy children naturally bring to their learning of math, so teachers can then cultivate and extend children’s mathematical sense and interest. Learning Genie provides lessons for Mathematics.
learning Genie
Developmentally Informed Content
Developmentally Informed Instructional Contexts
To ensure the effectiveness of a UPK curriculum, it must align with Universal Design for Learning principles, accommodating individual learning differences through flexible environments. For instance, a developmentally informed context for 4-year-olds includes diverse learning formats like indoor and outdoor experiences, learning centers, small-group activities, and a balance of child and teacher-led activities for joyful and inclusive learning. See the Learning Stems from Play graphic for visual representation of instructional context in UPK classrooms for 4-year-olds.
learning Genie
Element 1. Small Group
Small group consists of 3-5 children receiving individualized and responsive support and interaction with a teacher which lasts no longer than 15-20 minutes to be developmentally appropriate and informed for 4-year-old children. Small-group instruction can occur during center-time (e.g., while other children are playing a few children are pulled aside), or at designated small-group time (if a second or third teacher are available to lead multiple small groups at the same time). All Thematic Units in the Learning Genie Curriculum include lessons for Small Groups.
Learning Genie's Reflective Planning Tool also enables educators to create their own weekly planners with Small and Large Groups using public lessons, agency-wide lessons, or applying their own unique creations!
learning Genie
Developmentally Informed Instructional Contexts
Element 2. Whole Group
Whole-group opportunities provide engagement to build community and connection with peers and to briefly introduce learning concepts or skills that will be reinforced in small group or center-time activities. Each whole-group session ideally lasts no longer than 15 minutes to be developmentally appropriate for 4-year-old children. All Thematic Units in the Learning Genie Curriculum include lessons for Large Groups.
Learning Genie's Reflective Planning Tool also enables educators to create their own weekly planners with Small and Large Groups adding the specific children that will be assessed in each of the lessons!
learning Genie
Developmentally Informed Instructional Contexts
Element 3. Learning Centers
Centers promote independence and peer collaboration through child-interest-based activities. Ideally, children freely select their centers, but it's essential to ensure each child's access to desired centers and encourage variety. Learning centers should constitute at least 50% of a UPK Program's curriculum, with each center-time session lasting a minimum of 60 minutes for meaningful play and multiple center visits. Multiple center-time sessions can be held indoors and outdoors based on the school day's duration.
Learning Genie's Reflective Planning Tool enables educators to create Learning Centers based on their children's personal interests!
learning Genie
Developmentally Informed Instructional Contexts
Developmentally Informed Instructional Strategies
learning Genie
While developmentally appropriate and informed instructional strategies have been
woven throughout this resource guide, there are a few additional strategies to highlight
that are important to embed in a UPK curriculum.
Element 1. Individualization Based on Assessment
Instruction should be based on children’s individual skills as they are guided along a learning trajectory to the next developmental milestone. Individualization of tasks is most practical during center-time or small-group instruction, or in conversations while children are engaged in play.
Learning Genie's cloud-based Portfolio and Assessment Module enables educators to effortlessly generate digital observation notes. This module seamlessly integrates with the Curriculum, automatically generating observation drafts after each lesson
learning Genie
Developmentally Informed Instructional Strategies
Element 3. Inclusivity
Element 2. Fostering Joy in Learning
A UPK curriculum is only effective if all children can participate in the content and contexts offered to them to learn. Learning Genie's Curriculum and Reflective Planning prioritizes inclusivity by providing comprehensive support to children with diverse needs, including those who are Dual Language Learners (DLL), have Individualized Education Plans (IEP), or require Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP).
The above curriculum components described thus far can only be achieved if they successfully foster a child’s joy for learning. This element is one of the pillars of developmentally informed practice for 4-year-old children. Learning Genie's Play-Based Curriculum contains a large list of activities designed to nurture and harness a child's innate joy for learning
learning Genie
Developmentally Informed Instructional Strategies
- Universal Design with Differentiated Learning
- Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Practice
- Typical Behaviors and Observation Tips
When staff members are new to DRDP, they might not be familiar with what to focus on during their observations. To assist them, we have compiled a list of potential indicators that align with the specific DRDP measures they are working on. These resources aim to provide them with guidance on what to look for during their observations. Learning Genie provides valuable resources and tools to empower educators in effectively catering to the diverse needs of children.
learning Genie
Here's an example of a lesson in the Learning Genie Curriculum
Developmentally Informed Instructional Strategies
Request a Free Learning Genie Demo
Explore Learning Genie's capabilities and discover how our new curriculum aligns with UPK standards. A demo provides an opportunity to:
- Experience our platform firsthand.
- Gain insights into how Learning Genie can support your educational goals.
- Address any questions or concerns you may have.
To request a demo or learn more, please click the button below:
BOOK DEMO
learning Genie
UPK Curriculum Checklist | Learning Ge
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Transcript
Ensuring Readiness:
Meet UPK Standards with Learning Genie
Start
Contents
02
Intro
Developmentally Informed Instructional Contexts
Universal Pre-K Curriculum Checklist
03
01
Developmentally Informed Instructional Strategies
Developmentally Informed Content
learning Genie
UPK
Universal Pre-KCurriculum Checklist
learning Genie
Introduction
In line with the Science of Learning and Development principles, it's crucial for 4-year-old children to have developmentally appropriate experiences in the year before kindergarten. To achieve this, UPK programs should combine various curricula and learning activities. When selecting curricula, ensure they connect to students' experiences, foster motivation, integrate social-emotional skills, and promote metacognition. A blend of child-directed play and teacher-guided activities is essential, focusing on home language skills and social-emotional development. This approach doesn't sacrifice meaningful learning; it sparks joy, creativity, and foundational skills. This UPK Curriculum Guide is designed to assist educators in ensuring developmentally appropriate and well-informed instruction. Discover how Learning Genie can help cover the entire UPK Checklist to support your efforts in achieving these educational goals.
learning Genie
Developmentally Informed Content
Supporting all nine domains in the California Preschool/TK Learning Foundations (PTKLF) is vital. However, for 4-year-old children, the curriculum should prioritize evidence-based instruction in math, language, literacy, and promote integrated activities for social-emotional learning.
learning Genie
Element 2. Language and Literacy Learning
Element 1. Social-Emotional Learning
Strengthening home language skills is another foundational element of a UPK program experience. While not every teacher will be able to speak the home language of every student, it is important to identify curricula, instructional practices, or community partners that can embed the linguistic variability of students in your community. And if more than a third of students share the same non-English home language in a classroom, it is highly recommended that a bilingual lead or assistant teacher is hired to support in this language.
Social-emotional learning is the foundation of a UPK program experience (see Learning Stems from Play graphic). Opportunities for social-emotional learning may occur at designated times of the UPK program day, but ideally they are integrated across the curriculum to allow more opportunities to practice social-emotional skills across various settings and situations. Learning Genie provides lessons for Social-Emotional Learning.
learning Genie
Developmentally Informed Content
Element 4. Developmentally Informed Curriculum Themes
Element 3. Mathematics Learning
While discrete domains of development—such as literacy and math—should be included in a UPK curriculum approach, children need to make meaning of their learning and experience connections across domains. This is best achieved through organizing content across thematic units and project-based studies that are developmentally appropriate and informed. Learning Genie's Curriculum features 6 Thematic Units and the ability to create your own using our Reflective Planning Module.
Mathematics in UPK includes a wide range of concepts and ideas that are intricately connected and should be taught through strengthening children’s problem-solving and reasoning processes. Math is everywhere in a child’s environment and it is important to capitalize on the wonder and joy children naturally bring to their learning of math, so teachers can then cultivate and extend children’s mathematical sense and interest. Learning Genie provides lessons for Mathematics.
learning Genie
Developmentally Informed Content
Developmentally Informed Instructional Contexts
To ensure the effectiveness of a UPK curriculum, it must align with Universal Design for Learning principles, accommodating individual learning differences through flexible environments. For instance, a developmentally informed context for 4-year-olds includes diverse learning formats like indoor and outdoor experiences, learning centers, small-group activities, and a balance of child and teacher-led activities for joyful and inclusive learning. See the Learning Stems from Play graphic for visual representation of instructional context in UPK classrooms for 4-year-olds.
learning Genie
Element 1. Small Group
Small group consists of 3-5 children receiving individualized and responsive support and interaction with a teacher which lasts no longer than 15-20 minutes to be developmentally appropriate and informed for 4-year-old children. Small-group instruction can occur during center-time (e.g., while other children are playing a few children are pulled aside), or at designated small-group time (if a second or third teacher are available to lead multiple small groups at the same time). All Thematic Units in the Learning Genie Curriculum include lessons for Small Groups.
Learning Genie's Reflective Planning Tool also enables educators to create their own weekly planners with Small and Large Groups using public lessons, agency-wide lessons, or applying their own unique creations!
learning Genie
Developmentally Informed Instructional Contexts
Element 2. Whole Group
Whole-group opportunities provide engagement to build community and connection with peers and to briefly introduce learning concepts or skills that will be reinforced in small group or center-time activities. Each whole-group session ideally lasts no longer than 15 minutes to be developmentally appropriate for 4-year-old children. All Thematic Units in the Learning Genie Curriculum include lessons for Large Groups.
Learning Genie's Reflective Planning Tool also enables educators to create their own weekly planners with Small and Large Groups adding the specific children that will be assessed in each of the lessons!
learning Genie
Developmentally Informed Instructional Contexts
Element 3. Learning Centers
Centers promote independence and peer collaboration through child-interest-based activities. Ideally, children freely select their centers, but it's essential to ensure each child's access to desired centers and encourage variety. Learning centers should constitute at least 50% of a UPK Program's curriculum, with each center-time session lasting a minimum of 60 minutes for meaningful play and multiple center visits. Multiple center-time sessions can be held indoors and outdoors based on the school day's duration.
Learning Genie's Reflective Planning Tool enables educators to create Learning Centers based on their children's personal interests!
learning Genie
Developmentally Informed Instructional Contexts
Developmentally Informed Instructional Strategies
learning Genie
While developmentally appropriate and informed instructional strategies have been woven throughout this resource guide, there are a few additional strategies to highlight that are important to embed in a UPK curriculum.
Element 1. Individualization Based on Assessment
Instruction should be based on children’s individual skills as they are guided along a learning trajectory to the next developmental milestone. Individualization of tasks is most practical during center-time or small-group instruction, or in conversations while children are engaged in play.
Learning Genie's cloud-based Portfolio and Assessment Module enables educators to effortlessly generate digital observation notes. This module seamlessly integrates with the Curriculum, automatically generating observation drafts after each lesson
learning Genie
Developmentally Informed Instructional Strategies
Element 3. Inclusivity
Element 2. Fostering Joy in Learning
A UPK curriculum is only effective if all children can participate in the content and contexts offered to them to learn. Learning Genie's Curriculum and Reflective Planning prioritizes inclusivity by providing comprehensive support to children with diverse needs, including those who are Dual Language Learners (DLL), have Individualized Education Plans (IEP), or require Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP).
The above curriculum components described thus far can only be achieved if they successfully foster a child’s joy for learning. This element is one of the pillars of developmentally informed practice for 4-year-old children. Learning Genie's Play-Based Curriculum contains a large list of activities designed to nurture and harness a child's innate joy for learning
learning Genie
Developmentally Informed Instructional Strategies
When staff members are new to DRDP, they might not be familiar with what to focus on during their observations. To assist them, we have compiled a list of potential indicators that align with the specific DRDP measures they are working on. These resources aim to provide them with guidance on what to look for during their observations. Learning Genie provides valuable resources and tools to empower educators in effectively catering to the diverse needs of children.
learning Genie
Here's an example of a lesson in the Learning Genie Curriculum
Developmentally Informed Instructional Strategies
Request a Free Learning Genie Demo
Explore Learning Genie's capabilities and discover how our new curriculum aligns with UPK standards. A demo provides an opportunity to:
- Experience our platform firsthand.
- Gain insights into how Learning Genie can support your educational goals.
- Address any questions or concerns you may have.
To request a demo or learn more, please click the button below:BOOK DEMO
learning Genie