Early Childhood Education Bridge Semester 1
Career Field: Education
Adult Career Pathway: Early Childhood Education
Type: Bridge
Prepares students for: Attainment of NRS level 4 in reading, writing, language, listening and speaking, i.e., the 9th grade or ASE reading level on the TABE; progressing into Early Childhood Education Bridge Semester 2; fully articulating a personalized training and employment plan in the early childhood education field
Target Student Population: ABE and ESL students with TABE reading scores of 6.0-8.9 and TABE math scores of 5.0-8.9 (high intermediate)
Access Curriculum: Go to https://womenemployed.org/lesson-plans/ – complete the request form and get immediate access to downloadable curriculum in PDF format
Course Description: Students improve their basic reading and writing skills using materials related to the early childhood education field. Learning is interactive, including group activities, giving and getting peer feedback, and utilizing evaluation and editing processes to turn rough drafts into improved rewritten drafts. Students gain experience using computers and develop key employability skills, such as communication, teamwork, dependability, problem-solving, and technology skills. Exploration of early childhood education career options is incorporated into personalized career plans. Test-taking skills are emphasized to prepare for TABE tests, HSE tests, and the college entrance exam.
Duration: 16 weeks, 20 hours/week = 320 total instructional hours
Curriculum description: One comprehensive PDF document (389 pages). The first eight weeks alternates one reading week followed by one writing week. The second eight weeks focus on two units focused on early childhood education and integrate short and extended in-class and homework writing assignments into the units. Each lesson includes detailed teaching guide, all materials and web-based resources, as well as standards associated with the lesson. A variety of readings are used to build literacy skills.
Curriculum pluses: Clearly laid out. Includes all materials required to teach the course. Based on ABE best practices and aligned with NRS (National Reporting System for Adult Education Programs) standards. Some lessons include technology components that help students develop digital literacy skills. Transition skills are integrated throughout.
Curriculum drawbacks: Lessons were written for a City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) context, so some materials specific to the career pathway will not fit a MN local context; and the materials are in PDF format, so not easily modified. CCC references will need to be identified and changed throughout.
Author: Developed by Stephanie Sommers – A collaborative project between City Colleges of Chicago and Women Employed
Published: 2013
Contact person: Those with questions about the design of the bridge program or customization of the lessons should contact:
Christina Warden, Senior Program Manager
Women Employed
312-782-3902 ext. 228 / [email protected]