Elizabeth Munguia Professor DeeDee CHDV 150 05 November 2013 Why This Theme?

I chose eggs as my theme because I believe that it is important for children to know about different forms of life. Eggs is an interesting way to learn about different animals that lay eggs such as reptiles like snakes and lizards as well as birds like chicken and ducks. Children can learn the what, when, where, and how of eggs, for example, what are eggs? When do they hatch? Where do they live? How do they hatch? Developmentally Appropriate This theme is developmentally appropriate because it will consist of activities that are suitable for children ages three to five. For instance, children at this age range are curious so they find the need to explore, discover, and learning about eggs can help them do that while they use and develop their physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional skills. It will cover topics that are culturally relevant to each of the children in the class because they all live in the high desert so they need to be aware of the different animals that surround their environment instead of polar bears and tigers that they most likely will not run into unless they are at a zoo. Relevance Here in the High Desert children may come across snakes, lizards, and birds or some may even own some of these animals as pets. It is important for children to be aware of their surroundings and the environment that they live in. When children are learning about eggs or

even after they may come across some animals that lay eggs and they will be connected to their environment and community in that sense. Integrate Curriculum Since children learn through hands-on activities they can use clay and/ or play-dough to make eggs in different sizes. By doing this they will discover that lizard eggs are different than snake eggs and also different than chicken or duck eggs. By molding the clay into an egg-shape they will learn the shape of an oval while using their hands and fingers. This activity gives the children the opportunity to develop and strengthen their physical skills. As Gardner mentions in his multiple intelligences theory, logical-mathematical intelligence and bodily-kinesthetic intelligence will be used in this activity by using motor skills to make eggs for each animal that they learn about and keeping tract by counting how many they have created. Children learn by exploring as well so setting up multiple habitats of animals that lay eggs and hiding the eggs where those specific animals would normally hide their eggs would give the children the opportunity to hunt for the eggs. An egg hunt is a good way children will discover where and why chickens sit on their eggs and where and why snakes and lizards keep their eggs hidden. This activity will allow children to use their imagination as well as their cognitive skills. When working in groups, teams, or partners children will grow socially and emotionally by interacting with their peers. Naturalist, spatial, and interpersonal intelligence are all part of Gardners multiple intelligence theory which can all be used in the egg hunt. According to Gardner the naturalist intelligence is the ability to recognize patterns in nature and differences among natural objects and life-forms. In this activity children are identifying members or particular animal species and classifying natural forms. Spatial intelligence, according to Gardner, is the ability to notice details of what one sees and to imagine and

manipulate visual objects in ones hand. During the egg hunt children are looking for the eggs and picturing where they could be in each habitat and thinking about what they look like and one they find an egg they are able to touch it, grab it, and feel it. Interpersonal intelligence is the ability to notice subtle aspects of other peoples behaviors. Since the children will be working with a partner or groups then they are helping one another, interacting with their team, and noticing their group members and their behaviors, attitudes, and opinions. Reading children a story or book about difference kinds of eggs that can be found here in the High Desert gives them the opportunity to learn, ask questions, and share the information they already know about eggs with the class. Gardners linguistic, musical, intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligence can be integrated in the theme of eggs by giving children the opportunity to work together, write a song, and teach and sing their songs to the class. Linguistic intelligence, according to Gardners multiple intelligence theory, is the ability to use language by writing poetry or identifying word meanings which the children would be doing by writing a song. Musical intelligence is the ability to create, comprehend, and appreciate music which is what they children would be doing in this activity by writing a song about what they have learned. Intrapersonal intelligence is being aware of ones own feelings and desires so by writing about what comes to their mind they are exercising this kind of intelligence. By working together to write a song and sharing their song to the class they are interacting socially with one another and paying attention to their own feelings as well as the attitude or their peers.