Tennessee Guiding Principles
Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards Pre-Kindergarten
Science
Early Learning Developmental Standards (ELDS) Kindergarten
Physical Science (PS):
Matter and its interactions.
PK.PS1.01a. Describe and categorize objects based on their observable properties. K.PSI.01a. Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials including wood, plastic, metal, cloth, and paper by their observable properties (color, texture, hardness, and flexibility) and whether they are natural or human-made.
b. Demonstrate an awareness that matter exist in different states (i.e., solid and liquid) and that matter changes as a result of changes in its environment. b. Conduct investigations to understand that matter can exist in different states (solid and liquid) and has properties that can be observed and tested.
c. Observe, predict, and describe how objects move using common motion related vocabulary (e.g., straight, fast/slow, up/down, zigzag). c. Construct an evidence-based account of how an object made of a small set of pieces (blocks, snap cubes) can be disassembled and made into a new object.
d. Observe, predict, and describe how objects can be combined, stacked, or arranged to create a new object.
Life Science (LS):
From molecules to organisms: structures and processes.
PK.LS1.01 a. Identify common attributes of familiar living things. K.LS1.01a. Use information from observations to identify differences between plants and animals (locomotion, obtainment of food, and take in
air/gasses).
b. Recognize differences between living organisms and non-living materials. b. Recognize differences between living organisms and non-living materials and sort them into groups by observable physical attributes.
c. Recognize and describe the function of the five senses of humans. c. Explain how humans use their five senses in making scientific findings.
Earth Science (ESS2):
Earth systems.
Note: Earth Science (ESS1): Earth’s place in the universe begins in Kindergarten.
PK.ESS2.01a. Investigate and identify a variety of Earth materials by their observable properties (e.g. soil, rocks, sand, water). K.ESS2.01a. Analyze and interpret weather data (e.g., precipitation, wind, temperature, cloud cover) to describe weather patterns that occur over time (e.g., hourly, daily) using simple graphs, pictorial weather symbols, and tools (e.g., thermometer, rain gauge).
b. Observe and discuss changes in weather and seasons using common weather-related vocabulary (e.g., rain, sun, snow, wind, spring, summer, fall/autumn, winter, etc.). b. Develop and use models to predict weather and identify patterns in spring, summer, fall/autumn, and winter.
Earth Science (ESS3)
Earth and human activity.
PK.ESS3.01a. Observe, describe, and compare the habitats of plants and animals. K.ESS3.01a. Use a model to represent the relationship between the basic needs (shelter, food, water) of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
b. Observe and discuss how humans and animals respond to changes in weather. b. Explain the purpose of weather forecasting to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather in Tennessee.
c. Explore ways that humans use water and materials/resources from the Earth (e.g., water to drink, wood to make blocks, soil to grow food, bricks to make homes, plants to make food, etc.). c. Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact from humans on land, water, air, and other living things in the local environment.
Engineering, Technology and Science (ETS1):
Engineering design.
PK.ETS1.01a. Use senses to gather, explore, and interpret information. K.ETS1.01a. Ask and answer questions about the scientific world and gather information using the senses.
b. With modeling, prompting, and support, record and organize data using graphs, charts, science journals, etc., to communicate conclusions regarding experiments and explorations.
b. Describe objects accurately by drawing and/or labeling pictures. c. Make predictions based on observations and prior explorations.
Engineering, Technology and Science (ETS2):
Links among engineering, technology, science, and society.
PK.ETS2.01a. Recognize that tools have specific characteristics that determine their use. K.ETS2.01 a. Use appropriate tools (e.g., magnifying glass, rain gauge, basic balance scale) to make observations and answer testable scientific questions.
b. Explore familiar environments through the use of simple tools.
Source: Tennessee Department of Education
The kids learn to read & write after learning to speak and listen actively
- Listening comes first-by listening to others the child learns to identify speech.
- Speaking-Listening is followed by speaking
- Reading – Reading comes much, much, later after the child masters the ‘look and say’ method of identifying letters and words and begins to read.
- Writing (This comes last) – It starts only after the child is able to hold a pencil or crayon. We seem , as a country to place a lot of importance on writing, even before the child has mastered listening, speaking and reading skills.
Achievement
The Mastering of the spoken word, identification of letters, numbers, alphabet, word pictures, and other objects are necessities for development.
Leaps N Bounds Academy utilizes over 360 spoken language activities, 250 written language activities and 225 identifying sound activities.
These activities assist children in learning basic skills with repetitiveness in order to master more difficult skill.
What others are saying...….
I have known Priscilla for many years. There is no one more I would trust with my infant or child than her. We worked together in the Newborn Nursery at River Park Hospital years ago. -Stacy Brown
Priscilla DunnRegistered Nurse and OwnerKristie used to work at the Manchester Rec Center in the daycare and Nursery in Manchester TN while she was going to school. My kids loved Kristie. When she became a teacher at the Middle School my kids were so excited to see Kristie at school. -Jeanette Wilson
Kristie MorrisonProfessional Teacher and Owner
Leaps N Bounds Academy
The Pedagogy of Childcare
Pedagogy is the academic discipline that deals with the theory and practice of teaching and how these influence student learning.
Pedagogy informs teacher actions, judgments, and teaching strategies by taking into consideration theories of learning, understandings of students and their needs, and the backgrounds and interests of individual students.
Pedagogy includes how the teacher interacts with students and the social and intellectual environment the teacher seeks to establish. Its aims may include furthering liberal education (the general development of human potential) to the narrower specifics of vocational education (the imparting and acquisition of specific skills).
The Teaching Methodology
