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Creative Curriculum
Creative Curriculum
The Creative Curriculum is a research-based early childhood curriculum that supports whole-child development through play, exploration, and hands-on learning. It emphasizes flexible, engaging environments and project-based studies that build social-emotional, cognitive, physical, and language skills, while using ongoing assessment to guide instruction.
In OUSD ECE, PK, TK, and SCP classrooms all use Creative Curriculum and follow a shared pacing guide starting 26-27 school year and beyond (see below). Curriculum implementation is also a key part of the Focal Five—click here to read more about what we look for in practice.
Pacing Guide
Pacing Guide
Early Learning is adopting a shared PK/TK pacing guide for Creative Curriculum. PK and TK will follow an A/B schedule (A in 2026–27, B the following year).
Why?
Aligns PK & TK for stronger, more consistent implementation
Supports shared planning and collaboration across sites
Provides structured support through coaching, planning days, and drop-in sessions
Helps with continuity for multi-year classrooms
Clarifies expectations for administrators
Important Notes
Units are tools to teach standards (PTKLF) and support DRDP observations—focus on standards over specific content
Literacy, language, math, and science are embedded throughout
Teachers will receive guided planning support from coaches throughout the year
Curriculum remains flexible. Teachers can adjust pacing based on student interest with site/admin approval
Site teams should aim to stay aligned on units for consistency
Daily Schedule
Daily Schedule
An ECE schedule should include key components that support children's development throughout the day, such as Breakfast, Morning Meeting, Intentional Play, Outdoor Recess, Read-Alouds, Enrichment or Science, Lunch, Rest Time, and an Afternoon Meeting. While the order of activities may vary by elementary school, it is important to follow the allocated time for each part of the day, limit whole group transitions, keep group time under 15 minutes, and provide ample time for intentional play. Whenever possible, longer outdoor play periods are encouraged to support active learning and exploration.
Learn more in The Creative Curriculum for The First 6 Weeks: Building Your Classroom Community.
For a Dual Language TK Classroom Schedule sample click here
Resources by Study
Resources by Study
COMING SOON
Supplemental Curriculum Resources
Supplemental Curriculum Resources
At the heart of our SEL work is the Teaching Pyramid framework, which promotes healthy social-emotional development for all children. Rooted in equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed care, this approach supports educators in creating nurturing relationships, predictable routines, and supportive classroom environments.
Here are some essential Teaching Pyramid resources to support SEL in your classroom. To learn more about the Teaching Pyramid and additional resources:
Kimochis® is a social-emotional learning approach that helps children build emotional awareness, communication skills, and positive relationships. Some of our teachers have received Kimochis training and incorporate these strategies and tools into their Creative Curriculum practice.
Here are some Kimochis resources to support social-emotional learning and relationship-building in your classroom. To learn more about Kimochis and explore additional resources:
SEEDS of Learning is an early literacy approach that supports children’s language, communication, and emergent literacy development through intentional, engaging interactions. Our educators embed SEEDS practices into Creative Curriculum to strengthen literacy learning throughout the day—not just during dedicated literacy activities.
Practices such as transition songs, “What Is It?” bag, repeated read-alouds, songs, and rhymes provide meaningful opportunities for children to build early literacy.
Here are some SEEDS of Learning resources to support intentional literacy practices in your classroom. To learn more about SEEDS of Learning and explore additional resources:
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