Curriculum

The overall goal of the Early Childhood Hands-On Science (ECHOS) model is to increase teachers’ ability to introduce basic science concepts to preschool children through the use of a guided inquiry-based curriculum.

Core elements of the ECHOS approach are the modeling of science process skills and the use of guided inquiry and exploration. Science lessons and integration activities are designed to build on children’s existing knowledge base. Using concrete, hands-on materials and guided exploration directed by the sequenced lessons, teachers introduce the content and science process skills that help children build meaning over time. The lessons provide new experiences that will become the foundation for the development of more complex science concepts introduced later in their schooling.

ECHOS consists of nine thematic units designed to be implemented over the course of a month. Each unit contains four guided science lessons that teachers introduce in 20-minute segments to four small groups of children on a weekly basis. The curriculum units are sequenced to present increasingly complex science process skills in the areas of Life, Earth, and Physical Sciences. The ECHOS model incorporates the tested E-I-E-I-O Learning Framework (Excite, Introduce, Explore, Interact, Outcomes), which guides the teacher to elicit children’s prior knowledge about a concept and clarify or correct misconceptions. Lessons blend guided inquiry and direct instruction. They are scripted to provide teachers with the confidence to present science concepts accurately.

Integration card, or i-Card activities, are exercises related to the science lessons. They are designed to help educators reinforce concepts in the domains of language and literacy, mathematics and creative arts. The teacher and teaching assistant can deliver i-Cards with groups of up to ten children. The activities may also be facilitated by volunteers in the classroom or used to extend learning at home. The language and literacy i-Cards include recommendations for Picture Walk and Read Aloud books that can be used during Whole Group time or Story Time to further reinforce the concepts presented in the lesson. Each unit also includes a science storybook written to reinforce the key concepts introduced in the science lessons. ECHOS integration cards are also available in Spanish.

At the conclusion of each science lesson, the teacher places hands-on materials, models, charts and books that were used in the lesson in the classroom Science Area. This provides a rich collection of thematic educational materials that children can access during Free Choice Time or other center rotation to further help reinforce the science concepts. Each unit also provides a set of ‘Ask Me About’ stickers designed to be used as a prompt for family to help children recall the science concepts they learned during the day.

E-I-E-I-O Learning Framework

To learn more about the framework, click on the video below.

Unit Overviews

The curriculum features the following life science, physical science and earth science units listed below. Each Unit Overview includes a short video clip from an ECHOS science lesson.