One of my favorite things in life is to hear about, and to witness, the solutions created for the #ECE {r}evolution being implemented into actual practice. So it brings me great joy to share this post, which includes two case examples of how #ECE {r}evolutionary leaders have done just that!
Here’s what you’ll learn
How to take variations of the Pre-K Teach & Play “10 essentials wheel” and create opportunities for:
- sharing key concepts related to building strong relationships and K-readiness
- reflecting upon shared and divergent values
- generating data to inform future professional development
Below, I’ve used the same framework we use for creating intentional instructional sequences, to demonstrate how to use a Pre-K Teach & Play solution (i.e, the 10 essentials wheel). Look for the “What“, “When“, “Where“, “With What“, and “How” headings for both case examples.
This blog is for you if you design and deliver transformative professional development for early intervention, early childhood, and early childhood special education providers and teams.
Case Example From Michigan: 10 Essentials for Building Relationships
- Charlevoix Emmet ISD Early Childhood Team
- Contact Jill Haan, Director of Early Childhood Education haanj@charemisd.org with questions or comments
What (significant learning outcomes):
- Participants will learn about the 10 essentials for building strong relationships
- Participants will make connections between the 10 essentials and their current practice
- Participants will learn which of the essentials are their strengths and which present challenges
When: During early childhood group meetings
Where: Regions of northern Michigan
With What (materials you’ll need):
- PPT slides with an overview of the 10 essentials and/or a handout about the 10 essentials
- Flipchart sized/laminated wheel
- Colored dots/stickers or clips for the voting/self-reflection round
How (brief description of the activity):
Start with sharing content about the 10 essentials (e.g., pdf of PPT slide, activity handout, original blog)
Next, have participants explore what each essential means to them and ideas for practical applications (e.g., through self-reflection, pair and shares, and/or small groups). For example, have participants take a sheet of paper and and fold into six squares for recording ideas. Have them start by individually writing down one strength and one practical idea. Next, have them get into pairs and share ideas. Then get into groups of six and share each pair’s ideas (continuing to take notes on the sheet).
After gaining an understanding of the 10 essentials, give all participants two red and two green stickers. Green means an area of strength, red means an area they want to learn more about or which presents them with a challenge.
Have participants go up to the “Building Relationships Wheel” and put green stickers on their to strengths and red sticker to challenges (i.e., places where they would like to improve).
End by coming back together to review and discuss the patterns and trends that emerged, and identify next steps for implementation.
Case Example From Colorado: 10 Essential for K-Readiness
- Colorado Department of Education, Exceptional Student Services
- Contact Marcia Blum Preschool Special Education, Instructional Technology Blum_M@cde.state.co.us with questions or comments
What (significant learning outcomes):
- Participants will gain an understanding of the 10 essentials for K-readiness
- Participants will compare/contrast how Kindergarten teachers and Pre-K teachers define “readiness”
- Participants will explain how the 10 essentials affects their design and delivering of meaningful experiences for young children
When: During statewide meetings; Statewide conference for Special Education Directors and Federal Programs Administrators
Where: Regions throughout Colorado
With What (materials you’ll need):
- (optional) create PPT slides with an overview of the 10 essentials for K-readiness
- Note: As a flipped learning activity, or as part of this in person activity, participants can explore the Pre-K Teach & Play blog, “10 K-Readiness Essentials That Have Nothing to Do With Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic”.
- Handout with the 10 essentials for K-readiness (request download here)
- Wheel Decide with 10 essentials already labeled
How (brief description of the activity):
- Have participants number off by using numbers 1-10.
- Participants then form small groups based upon their number (all the 1s get together, all the 2s get together, and so forth).
- Each group examines the essential that matches with their group’s number (e.g., 1s discuss essential #1 “spark curiosity”).
- Have all participants come back together
- Using the Wheel Decide created and shared by Marcia Blum, randomly pick the order in which groups report out about their essential. Another idea from Marcia for picking names/groups at random is to use Name Picker Ninja.
Additional Resources and Supports
- Looking for even more ways embed the 10 Essentials Wheel into a balanced PD diet? Click here for a handout with the “10 essentials for successful transitions” co-created with Barbara Avila of Synergy Autism Center.
- Looking for more examples of how to put Pre-K Teach & Play solutions into practice? Click here for a blog with six case examples.
- Resources and support by select essential:
- #1: Spark Curiosity [Curiosity blog]
- #3:: Reduce stressors [Reducing Children’s Exposure To Stress One Zig Zag At A Time blog]
- #4: Know what and how [What’s Your What training video]
- #5: Pick different paths [Podcast 26: Three Sequences for Designing and Delivering Meaningful Experiences]
- #8: Be relevant [Clean sweep training video]