3s Sample Curriculum

Sample theme for Three-Year-Olds: Leaves

Children will observe

as native trees change colors over time
how plants react to cold and decreased sunlight
Children will gain greater appreciation for their natural environment

Circle Activities: Self-Expression, Listening to Others, Group Problem Solving

Take a walk in the woods to collect leaves
Examine leaves collected by children
Classify by color, freshness, size, shape, other categories named by children
Discuss origin, purpose of leaves
Appreciate differences, beauty of leaves

Reading/Storytime: Theme Development, Reading Appreciation, Print Recognition, Vocabulary Development, Follow the Development of Thoughts and Ideas in Plot Context, Event Memory, Auditory Discrimination

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf
Leaf Man
Autumn Leaves
Tree for All Seasons
Leaf Jumpers
It’s Fall

Music/Movement: Self-Expression, Creative Expression, Music Appreciation

Leaves Are Falling
I Like to Rake my Leaves

Centers: Theme Extension, Thinking, Practicing Skills, Working Together

(Notes in parentheses describe some of the major developmental tasks that are generally practiced and accomplished within the named center.)

Playdough	leaf cookie cutters leaves for impressions (develop fine motor strength and coordination, creative modeling and expression, opportunities for conversation)
Sensory	leaves on light table fill table with leaves collected on nature walk (develop fine motor strength and coordination, explore attributes and functions of physical materials, opportunities for conversation)
Math	bin of leaves for sorting/patterning (opportunities to learn about symmetry, order, and design, to create and repeat patterns, to classify objects by single or multiple attributes, to use logical reasoning)
Literacy	names on leaf shapes paper bag leaf puppets class book, What are the Leaves Covering? (experiment with writing letters and words, print recognition, theme development, expression of personal ideas, ordering events, story illustration)
Art	leaf rubbing tree sponge painting making leaf people mount leaves on contact paper leaf wreath (self-expression and creativity, communicate ideas through concrete mediums, develop and control small muscles, construct a design plan and attempt to implement that plan)