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List Price: $21.00 | | Publisher: Heinemann
Salesrank: 132544
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| Our Price: $5.99 |
| Used Price: $1.73 |
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| Media: Paperback |
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Editorial Review:
[This] book does not leave us awestruck by the brilliance of a single teacher. It draws us in.
- Eleanor Duckworth
If you're a preschool or primary teacher looking for compelling curriculum, your search has ended. According to Ben Mardell, the best ideas can be found with your students, and enthusiasm is the key ingredient. Mardell's new book describes some of the projects he created by tapping into children's interestsand the results are both instructive and galvanizing.
This entertaining and informative guide provides both the big picture about work in early childhood classroomsthe theory of teaching young childrenand the details of developing and implementing preschool curriculum. Each chapter describes a specific curriculum unit on topics ranging from squirrels to storytelling, astronomy to South Africa, and basketball to the Beatles. Each unit is followed by field-tested suggestions for exploring the topic, including art projects, movement activities, songs, group time activities, dramatic play props, stories, and field trips. There are also lists of resources at the end of each chapter to help you implement the curriculum.
Embedded within each chapter are guiding principles for curriculum development and implementation. Included are thoughts on using stories to bring topics to life, tapping children's fantasy and play to further inquiry, understanding students and guiding their activities, teaching skills as a natural part of study, building a community of learners, and much more.
From Basketball to the Beatles: In Search of Compelling Early Childhood Curriculum Reviews:
A really wonderful book by an awesome teacher!!! 
2008-09-23 - I had the distinct privilege of working with Ben as his teaching assistant a few years ago, and I can say that he created pure magic in the classroom!! The way he works with children and their ideas is very respectful and provocative at the same time. Children are encouraged to try things, to make mistakes, and to learn. It was one of my favourite teaching experiences to date, and I looked forward to all that we did in the classroom every day. I read this book while working with him, and found that the real life experience of working with Ben was very memorable and amazing, as he showed his enthusiasm and dedication in all he did. And the children love him!! I would highly recommend this book to all who are interested in early childhood education, and to all who want to encourage children to do their best learning in the classroom and at home.
an amazing read
2007-09-07 - I am a kingergarten teacher, and I learned so much from this book. It was amazing cover to cover. Every teacher should read this book, this man has the teaching motivation and philosphy that all teachers should have! Teach what you love, create excitement and sucess in your students. Also if you want to learn more about project approach, this is it. I love this book.
Beatles 101
2007-02-01 - This is an excellent book about reaching very young children by teaching what one loves.
It is only natural that the Beatle reference and title would draw the attention of many. Including the Beatles in the curriculum is a wonderful way of sharing culture; it is a form of cultural enrichment.
I know someone in the Midwest who teaches preschool students and has included a unit on the Beatles. Some of the Beatle themed projects have been to make a Yellow Submarine bulletin board; point out which pupils have Beatle haircuts; having the children identify each Beatle and learning Beatle songs. As a major Beatle fan, it is only natural that I would love this and delight in seeing Beatles 101 included in the curriculum.
Teach what you love
2002-04-03 - I am a early childhood major so I decided to read this book to come up with new ideas on how to make teaching interesting to young students. Ben Mardell does a great job in writing this book and letting us experience the type of curriculum he, along with his students, discovered. Before reading this book, I was not sure on how to go about teaching young children lessons in life that will stick with them for a long time. I was also afraid seeming boring to them and not getting their attention. Mardell showed me that by incorporating in my curriculum the subjects that I love and the things they love at that age, the school year will benefit them not only at school, but at home. He also has them doing activities that relate to that part of the subject. He not only has them reading and listening, he has them role-playing, singing, dancing, and doing project both in school and on fieldtrips. He seems not only to be their teacher but most importantly, their friend.
Teach what you love
2002-04-03 - I am a early childhood major so I decided to read this book to come up with new ideas on how to make teaching interesting to young students. Ben Mardell does a great job in writing this book and letting us experience the type of curriculum he, along with his students, discovered. Before reading this book, I was not sure on how to go about teaching young children lessons in life that will stick with them for a long time. I was also afraid seeming boring to them and not getting their attention. Mardell showed me that by incorporating in my curriculum the subjects that I love and the things they love at that age, the school year will benefit them not only at school, but at home. He also has them doing activities that relate to that part of the subject. He not only has them reading and listening, he has them role-playing, singing, dancing, and doing project both in school and on fieldtrips. He seems not only to be their teacher but most importantly, their friend.
