Current Topics
Current Topics are regular publications produced by ECEC to provide information and resources of topics of interest to teachers in Kindergarten to Year 3. Available current topics include pictures and speels. Current topics can be ordered via the attached order form.
Download the order form (Word 2007) and (PDF).
A Balanced Approach to Literacy
This book summarises the beliefs which underpin a Balanced approach to literacy development and offers practical ideas for implementing it during daily literacy sessions. It also offers suggestions on how teachers may support their students' oral language development.
Part One explains the ideas on which balanced literacy is based, and lists the components of a program which is based on this approach. Part Four spells-out two of these components in detail, i.e. shared and guided reading, and gives detailed examples of what each session 'looks like'. It offers teachers prompts, which they can use with students, to support them as they read.
Part Two offers a number of detailed lessons plans, which teachers could use to support their students' talking and listening. Part Three gives suggestions from Sue Pender, on how to specifically encourage oral language development through language games, news and descriptions. (Sue presented a workshop for ECEC at a recent Annual Conference.)
Creating an effective K-2 Learning Environment
This publication shares examples of successful practice from early childhood educators. It includes ideas for setting up a K-2 classroom, suggestions for classroom management and other helpful organisational strategies. While particularly useful for beginning teachers, it will provide teachers at all levels with fresh ideas and directions.
Developmental Play
This book provides teachers with ideas and proformas to help create a kindergarten environment that focuses on play as the work of children. It is important to ensure that the children's day provides them with foundational literacy and numeracy learning and this book provides busy teachers with a variety of successful programs that have been written by Kindergarten teachers. It is a realistic and practical guide for all who want to enjoy seeing Kindergarten children thrive.
Fine Motor Skills - Don't forget to teach them
This publication highlights the importance of fine motor skills and provides teachers with a range of strategies that can be used to develop these skills for young children. Fine motor plays an important role in written and visual communication and children need to develop these skills through regular practice. This booklet identifies a range of lessons across the key learning areas for the skills to be practised and refined.
Kindergarten Orientation Programs - revised edition
This booklet gives schools ideas on how to plan and implement Kindergarten Orientation Programs. A number of different programs are described.These include programs of:
- 5 to 6 weeks
- 3 to 4 weeks and
- 1 or 2 weeks.
Each programs have a specific purpose and the individual school should decide what best suit their needs. ECEC believes that the longer the program offered by the school the better the outcomes will be.
Patterns and Algebra
Information coming soon.
Working Mathematically
Working Mathematically involves children thinking mathematically and having a sound understanding of mathematical processes, key concepts and applications. This Current Topics provides a range of strategies and ideas that can be used in the classroom as part of the mathematics program to challenge children to think mathematically rather than just teaching them the content of mathematics
Higher Order Thinking Skills
Information coming soon.
