CONSTRUCTIVISM ACROSS THE CURRICULUM IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSROOMS - BIG IDEAS AS INSPIRATION

Designed to be a readable and user-friendly source for teachers who are looking for guidance and inspiration when incorporating constructivism and Reggio Emilia ideas into their classroom, the chapters in this book are organized into two categories:Introductory chapters and 'Big Idea' chapters. Introductory chapters provide the broad, theoretical framework and an overview of constructivist practice and Reggio Emilia ideas. The Big Idea chapters present one of the seven 'Big ideas' (light, balance, cause and effect, transformation, sound, zooming in and out, and upside down) as springboards to help teachers build an interdisciplinary, child-centered curriculum. Big Idea chapters also bring theory into practice by incorporating scenarios of real teachers implementing the projects discussed in their classrooms. By balancing theory and the realities of the classroom, this book helps teachers challenge themselves and their students with strategies for infusing new curriculum approachesin their classrooms without sacrificing what they need to accomplish in the process.