Emergent Curriculum in the Primary Classroom: Interpreting the Reggio Emilia Approach in Schools »

How is compelling, exemplary curriculum created in schools in spite of the pressures to implement a standardized curriculum? In this book, teachers and principals share their experiences with emergent curriculum, and with the creative practices they've developed in urban classrooms Kindergarten to 3rd grade. We learn what they were trying to do, how they began the process, the challenges they faced, the decisions they made, and what happened with the children. All chapters are written by teachers who have found ways of interpreting the Reggio approach to enrich their teaching within the confines of traditional schools. This book is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand emergent curriculum and for all who hope to nurture an enlivening, energizing way to learn in classrooms. The inspiring stories presented here illustrate: Ways that early childhood values and practices have been sustained and promoted in elementary schools; Exemplary teaching practice, where children want to learn and teachers want to teach; How the influence of the Reggio Emilia approach is reaching into urban public school environments with diverse populations; and Democratic participatory teaching that offers visions of responsible citizenship for children.

1 Emergent Curriculum Carol Anne Wien Wien, Carol Anne

Pt. I First Experiences in Emergent Curriculum

2 Small Boxes, Big Sounds: Spontaneous Music in Kindergarten Nancy Thomas Thomas, Nancy

3 To Make a Car: Physics in Motion Shaune Palmer Palmer, Shaune

4 The Learner as Protagonist in a Standardized Curriculum: A Grade 3 Unit on the City Noula Berdoussis Berdoussis, Noula Alice Wong Wong, Alice Carol Anne Wien Wien, Carol Anne

5 Wire Bicycles: A Journey with Galimoto Vanessa Barnett Barnett, Vanessa Deborah Halls Halls, Deborah

Pt. II Long-Term Efforts in Emergent Curriculum

6 "How Big Is Tiny?" Do Grade 1 Girls Grasp Measurement? Susan Hislop Hislop, Susan Jennifer Armstrong Armstrong, Jennifer

7 Children's Conversations About the Sun, Moon, and Earth Brenda Jacobs Jacobs, Brenda

8 The Stretching Starfish: Children's Theories Noula Berdoussis Berdoussis, Noula

9 "I Am Your Lightning Girl": Building Relationships with Inquiry Diana Will Will, Diana

10 "Can Weaving Make a Horse?" Kang as Protagonist Mary Jane Miller Miller, Mary Jane

11 Toward a "Good-Enough" Theory of Emergent Curriculum Carol Anne Wien Wien, Carol Anne

References

About the Contributors

Index