“ developmental continuum ” sections within chapters 12 O t h e r

For the Final Project you will complete a written report describing an activity/lesson you have

developed/created based on a specific topic of your choice (from chapters 12-15 such as math or
language and literacy) geared towards a specific age group (described in detail below). It’s time to
show what you have learned this semester!
Why is it important that we understand how to apply the information learned in this course
across a range of disciplines and careers working with children AND adults in a variety of
settings?
We need to:
1. Understand the developmental level of individuals with whom we are working.
2. Have a firm grasp of theories as they relate to our field or discipline.
3. Be able to develop objectives and outcomes that match the level, interest, ability, or culture.
4. Create appropriate activities to achieve desired outcomes and know how to modify these
for a particular individual.
5. Be able to engage and involve others who may have primary influence on an individual such
as peers, colleagues, families, children, spouses, etc.
6. Be able to measure if objectives and outcomes were achieved, analyze why (why not) they
were achieved, and use this data as part of a feedback loop that informs us about what is
working and should be maintained, what is not working and should be modified and
eliminated, or what is missing and needs to be developed.
An important part of this assignment is for you to be able to convey key concepts in your own
words and that integrate applicable theories of development (Piaget, Vygotsky, Erikson,
Bronfenbrenner- chapter 3, 4), and how you adapted (or would adapt) your activity to
accommodate children from diverse backgrounds and/or with special needs (chapters 5, 6).
Additionally, depending on your topic areas and activity, you will be graded on the extent to which
you selected appropriate teaching strategies (chapter 9) and curricula that supports learning for
the population/setting you are focusing on (e.g., infants/toddlers, preschool, etc.) (chapter 10).
Final Project Overview
 The Final Project consists of 2 Parts (as described in detail below): 1) Lesson/Activity; and 2)
Written Lesson Plan Summary and Reflection.
 You will focus on one of the four topic areas from chapters 12, 13, 14, 15 for a specific age group
(0 -2 years, 3 – 4 years, PreK-K (5 – 6 years), or Grades 1 and 2 (7 – 8 years)). Please pick one

topic area and one age group that you will focus on. For example, the area/topic of science
with 5- to 6-year-old children.

Your final paper must include a title page (3 points) and a reference page (1 point).
o There will be an example provided to you for reference.
Part 1: Your Big Idea! The Lesson/Activity (15 points)
After reading through chapters 12, 13, 14, and 15 and deciding what topic/chapter and age range
you will focus on, you will develop an activity/lesson that you would provide to children if you were
their teacher. The Lesson/Activity is a creative learning activity that you develop to show how you
might apply the concepts presented this semester in a practical setting (e.g., early
childhood/preschool setting/home). The Activity MUST be targeted to a specific age and be
Developmentally Appropriate. For example, if the topic you choose is physical development (Ch
15) with preschool aged children, as a preschool teacher, what activity would you design that
supports physical development? Would it be an obstacle course set up in the outdoor area? What
would this look like? What materials would you need? Is the set up appropriate for the age of
children you have selected? For example, can the children safely maneuver all the parts of the
obstacle course? Not sure? Refer to the text! Be creative and spend time brainstorming!
*Part 1 is only focused on the activity you have developed (your idea) – not the written report. I
will be looking for originality, intentionality, and that your idea is developmentally appropriate.
The written report is Part 2 and explained below:
 Your written summary must use the format below, 5-7 pages (not including title page and
reference page) and include the following information:
I. Project Description
A. Title/Topic Description: Write a description of your selected chapter and focus on
providing important information specific to the age group you will be doing your
written activity with.
B. Activity Description: Give a description of what your activity will be including the
developmental domain and objective.
C. Age/Setting:
 What age of children have you selected and what is the setting? (e.g., preschool,
childcare center, K-3 class, home, etc.).
D. Length of Lesson: (amount of time needed for the lesson):  How much time would this lesson require if conducted in real time? Include time
for set-up and clean-up and explain the set-up and clean-up.
E. Materials: What materials are needed for the activity? List all materials needed.

Part 2: Written Lesson Plan Summary (35 points)
II. Lesson Plan Summary
A. Learning Goal/Objective (Chapters 3, 12-15)
 Identify 1 primary learning goal/objective or outcome that are developmentally
appropriate for the age of children you are focusing on. (Please refer to the
“Developmental Continuum” sections within Chapters 12-15 for specifics on
learning objectives for specific age ranges and include this in your paper. Please
refer to Chapter 3 to determine if your activity is developmentally appropriate.)
 Be clear and specific on the objective. The learning objective is your main learning
goal for the activity. Think: What will the children learn with this activity?
Additional learning objectives – List 1-2 additional learning objectives that the group
of children would learn from your activity. This additional does not need to relate to
your activity, however it can be something the children are learning from the process
of the activity.
For example, if you create an activity focused on physical development, is the
objective to develop gross motor skills (such as throwing a ball or crawling), fine
motor development (cutting with scissors, picking up small objects) or a
combination of both (an obstacle course that involves jumping and picking up small
objects)? Physical would be your main developmental goal, however the children
could be counting their jumps while they move through the obstacle course – this
would then include Math! Or maybe the children will be taking turns – Social-
Emotional.
B. Theoretical Foundations – Chapters 3, 4
 Discuss applicable theories of development and learning (i.e., Piaget, Erikson,
Vygotsky, Bronfenbrenner, etc.): include how theories help us to understand
children’s level of understanding, and how we can use theories as a starting point
for identifying developmentally appropriate learning objectives, activities, and
teaching strategies. Which theorist connects best to your activity? Explain.
Begin by introducing theorist/theory.
The specific theory chosen needs to apply directly to the learning objective of the
activity. Apply at least 2 theorist/theories.
For example, if your project is physical development with preschool aged children
and you create an obstacle course, you may refer Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal
Development (observing the children as they move through the course and
scaffolding when necessary).

C. Teaching Strategies and Curriculum Planning – Chapters 9, 10, 11
 Describe at least 2 teaching strategies that you selected and explain how they are
most appropriate given the nature of the children, setting, activity, and learning
objectives. (Refer to chapter 9 – Table 9.1 “Effective Teaching Strategies”)
 How would you measure the effectiveness of your lesson?
D. Instruction Differentiation- Chapters 5, 6
 Describe how activities will be modified for individual differences in learning,
culture, age, interests, and level of understanding and skill. Give at least two
examples of how you would modify for a specific child or group.
E. Engaging and Involving Families – Chapter 7
 Identify strategies you would use to engage and involve families in their children’s
learning. Why is it important to involve families?
F. Creating a Caring, Responsive Learning Environment – Chapter 8
 How you will ensure that your activity is engaging and appeals to the interest of
most (if not all) children in the class? Think: Creating a Caring Community of
Learners
G. Methods for Measuring Learning and Effectiveness – Chapter 11
 Specify how success/outcomes will be measured. How will you know if you
achieved your learning objectives described in the beginning of your report? Will
you observe for specific outcomes? Use a summative assessment? Explain.
Personal Reflection (6 Points)
III. Personal Reflection: Please explain:
A. What did you learn from the assignment?
B. What was the most important thing you learned from the class over the course of
the semester?
C. How will you apply what you learned in your own personal and/or professional
life/career?
D. Other information, comments, or suggestions that you would like to share.