A Creative Curriculum classroom is set up in the following interest areas: blocks, dramatic play, toys and games, art, library, discovery, sand and water, music and movement, cooking, computers and outdoors. Teachers help guide and facilitate activities in these areas while letting children lead the play.
The curriculum provides templates and ideas for activities for daily and weekly lesson planning. A sample lesson plan would include activities in the areas of house play, blocks, water and sand, table toys, writing center, art, music and movement and cooking. The lesson plan would also include activities for circle times and indoor and outdoor play. Individual developmental goals would be included in planning to align with the integrated components of the curriculum.
Family involvement is essential to the Creative Curriculum. Families are viewed as partners in their child's learning. Teachers are encouraged to make home visits and to learn about their students' cultures. This helps teachers gain insight into a child's development and learning style. The Creative Curriculum offers activities for teachers when making home visits and provides parents with at-home learning experiences. The Creative Curriculum encourages the teacher and parents to build and enhance their relationship with the child.
The Creative Curriculum puts a heavy emphasis on professional development. It is important that teachers are up -to-date on current early childhood development trends and research. The Creative Curriculum provides opportunities for professional development in a variety of ways. This includes video training, on-site professional development, e-learning and Child Development Associate (CDA) training.
Ongoing student assessment is an essential component of the Creative Curriculum. The curriculum is designed to track all areas of child development. Teachers use daily lesson planning to address developmental goals for the children and to track progress. Teachers assess their students' progress daily through comprehensive, research-based checklists, observation and student work. Teachers are able to share student progress with parents through observation notes, examples of child work and online portfolios that include photographs and video clips.