Curriculum Guidelines

Guiding Principles for Curriculum: 

• We "backwards map". Start by planning the end of the unit. Ask yourself, What will the kids have learned? How will they celebrate that learning? 

• Our activities generally focus around a question that allows us to zoom into a topic. The topic of "flowers" transforms into, "What's inside a flower?" or "Why does a plant have a flower?"

• We plan a number of different activities that explore that question/topic from different angles: art, music, science, dramatic play, literature, math, inventing, building, etc. 

• We provide materials that allow children to explore these questions openly. We stress process over product. There is space for kids creativity and personality in each activity. 

• Our activities generally work for a variety of interests and ages. However, we add notes that will give other teachers ideas to scaffold or extend an activity for younger/older children. 

Curriculum Template for each Theme

Length of Session: 1 week camp session

By the end of this camp, children will explore: 

• list questions to explore

• list questions to explore

• list questions to explore

Overview of the Session 

(This should give us an idea of how the daily explorations build one one another to create a broad exploration of the topic)

Day 1: Overview of day 1

Day 2: Overview of day 2

Day 3: Overview of day 3

Day 4: Overview of day 4

Day 5: Overview of day 5

End of Week Celebration: How will the teacher and kids celebrate everything they have explored/learned on the final day of the session? How will they share this with families? 

Materials for the Teacher to Prep: 

1. • Building center:  [list all materials for the week here]

   • Sensory bin: [list all materials for the week here]

   • Dramatic play: [list all materials for the week here]

   • Read Alouds: [list all materials for the week here]

   • Art center: [list all materials for the week here]

   • Outdoor Materials: [list all materials for the week here]

Day 1

Circle time (read aloud and/or whole group activity): 

Centers: 

1. • Building Center: 

   • Sensory Bins: 

   • Dramatic Play: 

   • Library: 

   • Art Center: 

   • Rug:

Outdoor Experiences (movement/science/art): 

Additional songs/stories/games: 

Day 2

Circle time (read aloud and/or whole group activity): 

Centers: 

1. • Building Center: 

   • Sensory Bins: 

   • Dramatic Play: 

   • Library: 

   • Art Center: 

   • Rug:

Outdoor Experiences (movement/science/art): 

Additional songs/stories/games: 

Day 3

Circle time (read aloud and/or whole group activity): 

Centers: 

1. • Building Center: 

   • Sensory Bins: 

   • Dramatic Play: 

   • Library: 

   • Art Center: 

   • Rug:

Outdoor Experiences (movement/science/art): 

Additional songs/stories/games: 

Day 4

Circle time (read aloud and/or whole group activity): 

Centers: 

1. • Building Center: 

   • Sensory Bins: 

   • Dramatic Play: 

   • Library: 

   • Art Center: 

   • Rug:

Outdoor Experiences (movement/science/art): 

Additional songs/stories/games: 

Day 5

Circle time (read aloud and/or whole group activity): 

Centers: 

1. • Building Center: 

   • Sensory Bins: 

   • Dramatic Play: 

   • Library: 

   • Art Center: 

   • Rug:

Outdoor Experiences (movement/science/art): 

Additional songs/stories/games: 

Printable Curriculum Template