An Early Childhood Curriculum

By Vicki Gibson, PhD

We Can!, a comprehensive early childhood curriculum, uses methods that promote reading and writing skills with thematic teaching, multisensory activities, and explicit instruction. Aligned with criteria in “Goals for Preschoolers” from the National Association for the Education of Young Children and with the Head Start Path to Positive Child Outcomes, We Can!, covers all the bases – language and literacy, math, science, social studies, fine arts, health/safety, personal/physical development, and even technology!

We Can!, trainings ensure that teachers return to their classroom with all the skills they need to begin teaching the We Can!, curriculum to their students. Professional development can be modified according to districts’ needs and availability.

If you would like to schedule a workshop or awareness session, please contact: Mary Kearns, Program Specialist maryk@sopriswest.com, at (800)547-6747.

We Can!, offers three types of professional development options:

• Implementation Training: This one- and two-day training includes an overview of the We Can!curriculum and materials, training in classroom management, and familiarization with the Teacher’s Editions. It introduces participants to the main curriculum components, including Two-Choice Discipline, lesson plans, and assessments.

• Advanced Training: This one-day, district-level training will teach reading coaches and administrators how to provide support services to improve practice, demonstrate key skills for best practice, conduct classroom observations and interviews, use data for planning and improving practice, role play, encourage sustained changes in practice, and monitor change and valuate progress in the classroom.

• Follow-up Customized Training: Follow-up trainings are highly recommended to maximize the success of the We Can!, curriculum. Follow-ups can be customized to respond to individual school and district needs. We make every effort to have the trainer who facilitated the initial workshop return for the follow-up.

• Awareness Sessions: Ranging from 45 minutes to two hours, these sessions provide an overview of the We Can!, program, an explanation of the research basis of its approach, and examples of the methods and techniques. A description of the materials and training options is also included.

Click on the pull-down menu for a list of current workshops and trainings. Check back often, as dates are added regularly. A closed training is one that has been scheduled by a specific district, while an open training can be attended by anyone.

For a comprehensive look at this program, visit www.wecanearlychildhood.com