Each of 36 weekly themes is accompanied by a list of materials, patterns, activities, and more.

Discover new, practical methods for teaching literacy skills in your early childhood classroom. Has teaching early literacy skills become a stumbling block to getting your preschool students kindergarten ready? Break out of the tired “letter of the week” routine and learn how to transform your lessons with fun and effective techniques. Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers will equip teachers to infuse every aspect of their teaching with exciting hands-on literacy teaching methods that engage students and help them build authentic connections with books, so that 100% of their students will have a strong literacy foundation and will be fully prepared for success in kindergarten and beyond. Respected author Vanessa Levin, veteran early childhood educator and author of the “Pre-K Pages” blog, breaks down the research and translates it into realistic, actionable steps you can take to improve your teaching. Features specific examples of teaching techniques and activities that engage students in hands-on, experiential learning during circle time, centers, and small groups. Offers a simple, four-step system for teaching literacy skills, based on the foundational principles of early literacy teaching Demonstrates how to build your confidence in your ability to get 100% of your students ready for kindergarten, long before the end of the school year Understand the problems with traditional literacy teaching and identify gaps in your current teaching practice with this valuable resource.

Encourage a love of learning in students in grades PK–1 with Early Learning Thematic Lesson Plans! This 160-page resource engages young learners with 32 weekly themes and more than 600 developmentally appropriate activities. All of the research, planning, and scheduling has already been done. Just open the book, choose a theme, and start teaching! The book includes morning circle activities, a guide to children's literature, and integrated activities. This book supports NCTE, NCTM, NCSS, and NAEYC standards.

Patterns A to Z is a unique resource that presents a large variety of silhouettes to promote the use of open-ended activities with young children. The patterns are reproducible outlines that may be copied and cut out to allow children to engage in open-ended art activities. Designed to be used with a range of units, the patterns are also helpful for creating activities in the language arts, manipulative, math, and circle time areas. The sections are alphabetized to help experienced and new teachers find patterns for a theme- based curriculum, to incorporate a letter of the week, or provide a spur-of -the-moment classroom activity. Many pattern choices are given for each targeted alphabet letter and the variety of patterns allows teachers to complete a year's worth of activities. This wonderful resource includes a theme-specific index with easy-to-find activities to accompany thematic units and a sample family letter that promotes active participation from all families. Children, teachers, and families will enjoy working with the many patterns as they explore different themes and share in unique learning experiences.

"Includes over 600 activities." Reproducibles.