Connections Pre-K Sampler

12 All parts of the Connections curriculum are linked to national math content standards. All screeningmaterials, periodic assessments, student workmats, blackline masters, andSkill Builders are available in Spanish aswell as inEnglish. The instructional model followed in Connections is carefully structured to ensure that math content is properly sequenced for efficient learning. The essential math concepts are built from the ground up, so there is less risk that a student will stumble in the learning process. Research suggests that children learn first from concrete experiences. All activities in the Connections curriculum are supportedbygradual release lessonplans that direct the explorationof eachmath concept firstwith manipulatives andhands-on activities. The 1-2-3 lessonplan structure tracks alongboth thegradual release instructionalmodel and the concrete–visual–abstract cognitivedevelopmentmodel. Connections recognizes that students in diverse classrooms exhibit diverse learning styles and explicitly addresses those varied learning styles. Thewide range of learning activities included in the curriculum opens the door to learning for all students by providing differentiated instruction in even themost diverse settings. Follow-Up Activities are often tagged for one of the Learning Centers . Connections explicitly teaches practical math vocabulary in all lessons. Aworkingmath vocabulary establishes a solid connectionbetween the concept being taught and themathematical termused todescribe it. Rhyming activities introduce children tophonemic awareness. D’Nealian letter/number tracing is included in key lessons and in language center activities. Children’s stories encourage and support language development. Standards Language Strategies Scaffolding Gradual Release Standards-based curriculum Scaffolded content Gradual release concrete> visual> abstract Multiple learning styles Multiple teaching strategies Language development Story Time 3 CurriculumFeatures