High Scope is a developmentally-appropriate curriculum style which was originally designed for preschoolers and is now used at the elementary level as well. It has been in practice for over 20 years and boasts some very impressive research statistics in public schools. I was trained in (and emphatically supported) this method as a public school teacher and, although we use a rather informal version, it provides the foundation for my homeschool teaching style. High Scope is a formal classroom approach to a basic concept: People learn when they are ready to learn, and teachers have better results when they respond to the "teachable moment."
The lesson plan of a High Scope class will include the following:
CHOICE / In Planning the child chooses what to do.
LANGUAGE / Each child is encouraged to describe their activities; verbalize feelings, needs and desires.
MATERIALS / Abundant materials, conveniently located for children to use in many ways.
MANIPULATION / Children are free to manipulate their materials in a variety of ways.
SUPPORT / Adults and peers recognize
and encourage each individual's problem solving and creativity.