Using the Play Guide

Although the assessment is divided into conventional developmental areas (Fine and Gross Motor, Language, Cognitive, Self-Help, and Social-Emotional Skills), the curriculum guide is organized by program areas: language arts, dramatic arts, materials, math, music, movement, multi-cultural, science, and cooking. Each lesson plan lists, from high to low, the main skills or skill areas related to the project. To facilitate planning, we provide cross references to the Assessment by skill areas and by level of difficulty. We have also listed early-in-the-year-get-acquainted projects, anyone-can-do-it projects for new aids and volunteers, and introductions to projects. 

In some units, especially science, music, and multi-cultural, we were able to include only a sampling of the possibilities by way of example and inspiration.

A note about variations: Most lesson plans include variations, but be aware that the objectives listed for the project may not always be accomplished by the variations. After a short time, teachers will be able to plan their own variations to meet additional requirements.

The cross reference between lesson plans and blue-covered Individual Assessment works as follows:

In the lesson plan, find the Objectives section. In parenthesis after most of the skills, is an entry which directs you to a section of the assessment list where you will find that particular skill

EX: Children ages 5-6 can write the letters of their own name (FM III). “FMIII” refers to Section III of Fine Motor pages of the Individual Assessment; there you will find “write letters of name.”

Abbreviations used are:
Lang.—Language Arts
Cog.—Cognitive
GM—Gross Motor
FM—Fine Motor
SE—Socio/emotional
SH—Self-help