This measure assesses if the program uses a developmentally appropriate curriculum that aligns with early learning guidelines or standards, which requires the review of lesson plans and an integrated approach to the curriculum, child assessments, and teacher-child interactions. Curriculums help children meet specific developmental benchmarks through the scope and sequence of planned activities and set learning objectives. Texas Rising Star does not require a particular curriculum or a direct link to a curriculum in the lesson plans posted in each classroom. However, the use of a standard curriculum is considered a best practice.
Category: Category 3: Program Administration
Subcategory: Program Management
Examples
In this section you will find videos, images, and/or documents that can be used to better understand this measure. These examples can also be used in conversations between mentors, directors, and/or teachers to discuss how the program's current practices compare to these examples.
Template
Here is an instructional plan template for practitioners to document the learning goals and instruction details for a structured classroom activity. Using a template like the one provided shows the planned activity has a learning objective aligned with the early learning standards or guidelines that help children meet specific developmental benchmarks.
Age(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool, School-age
Example Document
Here is an exemplar of a weekly lesson plan for a school-age classroom. The exemplar shows there are planned activities aligned with early learning standards that help children meet specific developmental benchmarks.
Age(s): School-age
Practice Opportunities
These resources include tips, strategies, activities, or specific tools related to this measure that programs can put into practice.
Curriculum
The Circle Infant and Toddler Curriculum provides everything your program needs to implement positive and engaging learning environments and experiences that support children’s individual needs, interests, and abilities while building a joy for learning.
Age(s): Infant, Toddler
Template
This weekly lesson plan template is for infant/toddler practitioners to document structured learning activities and additional instruction notes. Using a template similar to this shows there are planned activities with learning objectives aligned with early learning guidelines, and there is evidence teaching staff receive feedback on lesson planning as a type of curriculum support on a regular basis.
Age(s): Infant, Toddler
Activity
PBS LearningMedia has a variety of free learning activities aligned to state and national standards for the school-age specified age group. Activities include videos, photographs, and lesson details to support school-age classroom teachers in the planning and delivery of classroom instruction.
Age(s): Preschool, School-age
Template
This weekly lesson plan template is for preschool practitioners to document structured learning activities and additional instruction notes. Using a template similar to this shows there are planned activities with learning objectives aligned with early learning guidelines, and there is evidence teaching staff receive feedback on lesson planning as a type of curriculum support on a regular basis. (Document will automatically download.)
Age(s): Preschool
Template
Here is a weekly lesson plan template for practitioners to document their structured learning activities, as well as additional instruction notes, for the school-age specified age group. Using a template similar to the one provided shows there are planned activities with learning objectives aligned with early learning standards that help children meet specific developmental benchmarks.
Age(s): School-age
