How is EXCEED Preschool Curriculum better than other programs available for purchase?
EXCEED provides:
- Language/Literacy, Math, and Science skills
- Art, Music, and Cultural activities
- Classroom explorations in a variety of learning centers
- Transitions for smoothly changing from one activity to another
- Classroom management techniques for overall effectiveness and success each day
- A pre-written weekly Parent Letter that shares information about skills and activities each week and suggests activities for extended learning outside the classroom
- Detailed, pre-written lesson plans encompassing all learning areas for each and every day using only basic, classroom supplies
- Monthly Observation Checklists for quickly assessing and recording each child’s progress
- A pre-written weekly Staff Memo, Helping Hand Hints and suggestions for staff that provide practical, usable information and ideas for maximum effectiveness and success in the classroom
- On-the-job training for better teaching and learning built into the program
- A pre-written weekly Schedule of Activities that can be posted on door or bulletin boards
Is EXCEED expensive to implement?
Many materials frequently used in the classroom are common household items such as paper bags, egg cartons, plastic containers, newspapers, magazines, cardboard boxes, coat hangers, etc. These are used along with basic classroom supplies such as construction paper, scissors, glue, markers, paint, etc. There is no expensive equipment required and there are no high priced items from a “teacher’s store” needed.
How much staff training is required for using the EXCEED Preschool Curriculum?
The only requirement for using EXCEED is reading the Staff Memo, collecting the daily supplies, following the simple directions (black text), and using the appropriate dialogue with children (red text) in each day’s lesson plans.
Will EXCEED improve the overall quality of the preschool program in a facility?
Four-year-olds who have participated in EXCEED field testing studies have shown high levels of achievement in all areas of pre-kindergarten screenings conducted by public and private schools.
Is it necessary for me to keep the book in my hands while working with children?
No, staff will want to read the lesson plans prior to beginning each day and then refer back to the text between focal areas, transitions, etc. as needed.
Can children who enroll after the school year has begun, still be successful in the EXCEED Preschool Curriculum?
Yes, a new child will acquire and easily adapt to previously introduced skills through repetition that naturally occurs within the lesson plans. If time permits, staff may complete an Observation Checklist(s) to determine the child’s developmental progress.
Does EXCEED include materials such as coloring pages, worksheets, pre-designed patterns, etc.?
No, the EXCEED philosophy endorses and is designed for “hands on” activities and active involvement in a wide variety of experiences throughout the day, rather than working with coloring, patterns and designs created by adults.
Is EXCEED a program that can easily be used by a substitute in the classroom?
Yes, the substitute can easily resume teaching from the lesson plans exactly where the regular teacher left off. There is no major interruption in continuity or quick change to a different activity when a new staff member takes over responsibility for the class. The daily format and routine of each lesson plan is consistent throughout the program.
How do I justify the initial cost of purchasing and implementing EXCEED Preschool Curriculum?
EXCEED is a superior preschool program that encompasses all of the very best aspects of planning, organizing, communicating, teaching, and learning. Teachers are free to devote the entire day to providing ageappropriate experiences for children. Afterwards, they have time to reinvigorate themselves until the next day, rather than spending time outside teaching hours locating appropriate materials, developing new ideas, planning activities for children, writing lesson plans and creating “to do” lists of supplies, etc. to assemble for the next day(s). EXCEED is the only preschool program available for purchase that provides a pre-written Staff Memo, detailed pre-written lesson plans for each day, pre-written weekly communication with parents, and a pre-written weekly Schedule of Activities to be posted for parents, staff, licensing requirements, etc.