Teaching Kindergarten: Learner-Centered Classrooms for the 21st Century (Early Childhood Education Series)

What a treasure. As an experienced early childhood teacher and adjunct professor of literacy education, I highly recommend this book. It provides a lens into classrooms where teachers understand and value how children learn best. Take the article, "They Thanked the Bear, Then They Ate the Bear: An Integrated Block-Based Curriculum." The author shares how she provided an engaging study of the Lenape people which integrated social studies, arts, science, and literacy. This kindergarten teacher shows how the unit was initiated by carefully observing her students' social interaction, level of engagement, and current knowledge. What follows is a thorough description of how the unit progressed, cooperatively led by the children and teacher. Finally, we see how the study culminated in a group created digital story with narration and music. Throughout, these kindergartners gained deep knowledge and valuable skills. Throughout the book, we are treated to high quality classroom scenarios with thoughtful explanations of teachers' professional decision making. If I were to teach an early childhood course, I would select this book as a required resource.

This is a must read for all current and future Kindergarten teachers! It is not often that we hear the wonderful stories of classroom teachers and their children and the rich environments that speak to the developmental needs of children. As an early childhood staff developer, this book is a treasure, and one that I recommend for ALL early childhood educators!

All-too-often, we hear that learner-centered teaching is not possible in present-day public schools, given all the challenges they face. This book proves otherwise, with rich, relatable examples. Inspiring!

I love the practical ideas shared in this book. I cannot wait to try in the classroom.

Important reading for any teacher.

NOT as advertised

Great seller... good book

As a teacher of 8 years I am always interested in what other teachers are doing in other schools. I enjoy professional development with colleagues and inter visitations with other schools. I think this book is a great piece of literature that speaks to both of those pieces. After reading the book I was inspired to reexamine my teaching and make sure I am listening closer to what my students are interested in. I am now motivated to include all the standards and expectations of kindergarteners in an age appropriate way where the students are the guides and decide what they want to study. This inquiry approach is the most meaningful to my students because they will become the experts on these topics that they want to learn more about. I most enjoyed reading the chapter on the wheelchair study and how it was incorporated in all areas of the classroom even though that was not the intended topic. I am a special education teacher and I also value the importance of highlighting a student to be the center of a study when others might have left him out because it would have been easier. This was an amazing read and would absolutely recommend it to not only kindergarten teachers but also pre-kindergarten through second grade teachers!!!