Lesson Plan Overview for the Week of September 22, 2025

Monthly Umbrella Theme: Colors, Patterns, and Shapes

Weekly Theme: Apples and Harvest

COR Focus: Language, Literacy, and Communication

Bears/Foxes — Infant SSLC Lesson Plan

Planning Anchors: Key Developmental Indicators (KDIs) this week: Approaches to Learning—Initiative (KDI 1), Problem Solving (KDI 2). Social & Emotional—Relationships with Adults (KDI 5), Sense of Self (KDI 8). Movement & Music—Gross-Motor (KDI 18), Fine-Motor (KDI 19), Music (KDI 21). Language, Literacy & Communication—Listening & Understanding (KDI 31), Speaking & Vocabulary (KDI 32), Phonological Awareness (KDI 34), Concepts About Print (KDI 37). Care routines are the curriculum: warm, responsive interactions embed language and trust throughout the day.

COR Advantage Content Areas / Items: L Speaking & Vocabulary • M Listening & Understanding • N Phonological Awareness • O Alphabet Knowledge (exposure) • P Reading • Q Writing (pre-writing/mark-making)

Objectives: Infants will be immersed in rich apple/harvest language and sounds.

Level 0: exposure—adults read, sing, label objects, and offer sensory invitations even if infants only watch/listen.

Level 1: emerging responses—infants vocalize, imitate sounds, reach/track, or anticipate repeated song lines. Caregivers intentionally narrate routines using harvest words (“red apple bib,” “wipe, snap, hug”) to build comfort, connection, and early communication.

Weekly Plan Overview (Care Routines + Invitations):

• Morning Meeting/Books: Ten Red Apples (Hutchins), Apple Farmer Annie (Wellington), Peek-a-Boo Apple, Baby Loves Fall! with repeated refrains and purposeful pauses.

• Small Group Invitations: plush apples for grasping/banging; mirrored tummy time with leaf textures; caregiver-led peek-a-boo scarves (“ap-ple!”).

• Large Group Music & Movement: “Way Up High in the Apple Tree,” “Five Little Apples,” gentle bounce songs with predictable stops.

• Plan / Do / Review: infants choose by gaze/reach; adults narrate (“You looked at the green apple; I’ll bring it closer”).

• Centers Additions: baskets for in/out; soft red/green/yellow balls; harvest-textured fabrics; high-contrast apple images near changing area.

• Outside Objectives: feel the breeze with leaf ribbons; stroller “orchard walk” to spot red objects; ramp “apple” ball roll with adult assistance. Sensory Bin: Soft apples, scarves, small baskets, satin leaves. Adults model “in, out, more, again,” and describe textures: smooth, shiny, crinkly. Monthly Dramatic Play Pop-Up: Color Studio & Shapes adapted for infants: taped-down mural paper for adult-guided stamping/hand prints with non-toxic stamp pads; adults narrate marks (“dot, dot—apple red”). Misc. Planning:

• Songs: “Way Up High in the Apple Tree,” “Five Little Apples,” “Johnny Appleseed Blessing.”

• Care language repeats key apple words; adults mirror infant vocal play (“ah-ah-apple!”). Detailed Activities (with KDIs):

• Hello Apples (Morning): name + gentle motion (“[Name], roll… stop”). KDIs: 5, 8, 21, 31, 32.

• Board-Book Close Reading: track pictures, touch-and-name (“apple, leaf, tree”). KDIs: 31, 32, 34, 37, 5.

• Peek-a-Boo Scarves “Apple!”: hide/reveal plush apple, wait expectantly for infant sound/gesture. KDIs: 32, 34, 21, 1.

• Apple Sound Play: two soft shakers; adults pause to invite turn-taking. KDIs: 21, 19, 31, 5.

• Tummy-Time Leaf Crunch: crinkle bags, narrate big/little leaf. KDIs: 18, 31, 32.

  
  
  
  

  Observation Targets: Level 0: tracks book images; calms to voice; startles/settles at song stop; turns toward “apple.” Level 1: reaches for named apple; vocalizes in song pauses; bangs two toys; chooses red/green by gaze/reach; imitates “ah” in apple. Document babbling, gestures, eye contact, early turn-taking and responses to harvest sensory cues.

Hedgehogs/Bunnies — Early Toddlers (12–23 Months)

Planning Anchors: Approaches to Learning—Initiative (1), Problem Solving (2), Reflection (3). Social & Emotional—Relationships with Adults (5), Relationships with Peers (6), Empathy (7), Sense of Self (8). Language & Communication—Comprehension (13), Speaking (14), Vocabulary (15). Movement & Music—Gross-Motor (18), Fine-Motor (19), Music (21). Mathematics—Number (24), Classification (25), Shapes (27).

COR Advantage Content Areas / Items: S Numbers • T Shapes & Spatial • U Measurement • V Patterns

Objectives: Toddlers explore apples/harvest via repetition, labeling, and simple choices. Levels 0–1: mouthing/banging, watching predictable starts/stops, smiling at songs.

Level 2: pointing to red apples, repeating actions (in/out), joining single words (“more,” “all gone”). Adults model apple, red, round, big/little, more, again throughout routines.

Weekly Grid (Mon–Fri):

• Morning Meeting: Mon greeting song with rolling-apple motion; Tue Ten Red Apples read-aloud; Wed “Way Up High in the Apple Tree”; Thu introduce sensory bin (apples/leaves/baskets); Fri scarves song “Shake the Apple Tree.”

• Small Group: Mon plush-apple peek-a-boo; Tue apple stamping; Wed basket color sort (red/green); Thu apple roll & chase; Fri harvest basket fill (in/out repeat).

• Large Group: Mon apple rolling game back-and-forth; Tue apple tree fingerplay; Wed parachute “shake the apples down”; Thu apple freeze dance; Fri harvest circle—name & pass apples.

• Plan: two-object choice with narrated language.

• Do—Centers Additions: plush apples, baskets, leaf props, chunky fruits; harvest corner with bins & scarves.

• Review: show-and-name (“red apple… again!”) during snack/circle.

• Outside Objectives: Mon ramp ball “apples”; Tue leaf crunch walk; Wed bubbles big/little; Thu nature collection; Fri wagon harvest walk. Sensory Bin: Plush apples, baskets, scarves, silk leaves; adults model in/out, red/green; encourage scooping/dumping repeats. Monthly Dramatic Play Pop-Up: Color Studio & Shapes with apple add-ons (red/green cutouts, stickers, chunky crayons). Misc. Planning:

• Songs/fingerplays: “Way Up High…,” “Shake the Apple Tree,” “Pat-a-Cake” with apple claps.

• Transitions: carry an apple (“apple parade”).

• Routine math talk: one/two shoes, big/little apple, more/all done.

  
  
  
  

  Detailed Activities (with KDIs):

• Apple Stamping (Tue, Small Group): halved apples + red paint; narrate “stamp, stamp.” KDIs: 19, 15, 25.

• Apple Roll & Chase (Thu, Small Group): roll plush apples; imitate “roll again.” KDIs: 18, 1, 2, 26.

• Parachute Apples (Wed, Large Group): chant “Shake, shake, shake the tree; down come apples—1, 2, 3!” KDIs: 18, 21, 24.

• Basket Color Sort (Wed, Small Group): red to red basket, green to green; model “same.” KDIs: 25, 15, 19, 24.

• Harvest Fill & Spill (Fri, Small Group): repeat in/out; “more apples!” KDIs: 1, 19, 24, 25.

  
  
  
  

  Observation Targets: Level 0–1: reaches/grasps; smiles/pauses at predictable parts; repeats in/out; points toward named color. Level 2: imitates one-step actions (stamp/roll), says single words/signs (“more”), matches color with support, persists briefly in filling/stacking. Document early number words, big/little, and repeated action play.

Squirrels/Coyotes — Toddler 2 (24–35 Months)

Planning Anchors: Approaches to Learning—Initiative (1), Problem Solving (2), Reflection (3). Social & Emotional—Relationships with Adults (5), Relationships with Peers (6), Empathy (7), Sense of Self (8). Language—Comprehension (13), Speaking (14), Vocabulary (15). Movement & Music—Gross-Motor (18), Fine-Motor (19), Music (21). Mathematics—Number (24), Classification (25), Seriation (26), Shapes (27), Spatial (28), Time (29), Memory (30).

COR Advantage Content Areas / Items: S Numbers • T Shapes & Spatial • U Measurement • V Patterns • W Data Analysis + L/M/P for language & books embedded Objectives: Children will sort, count to two or three, and follow simple repeated sequences in apple contexts.

Level 2: sort by one attribute, copy a modeled two-step action, label “more.”

Level 3: begin to continue a simple sequence (red–green–red), describe “first/next,” and compare sets (more/less) with support. Apple tasting adds descriptive vocabulary (sweet/tart/crunchy).

Weekly Grid (Mon–Fri):

• Morning Meeting: Mon SEL name song with feelings card; Tue harvest book & real-object show; Wed apple picture walk & “what comes next?” routine preview; Thu sensory table preview; Fri weekly reflection chart (favorite apple color).

• Small Group: Mon Apple Color Sort (red/green/yellow chips to baskets); Tue Apple Stamping Shapes (circle/star cutters on sponge pads); Wed Fall Yoga (tree/breeze/seed poses with calm breaths); Thu Build-an-Apple Tree (place apples on paper tree by color/size); Fri Counting Apples (place 1–2–3 apples on mats).

• Large Group: Mon Hello song with name motion; Tue Fall read-aloud; Wed Apple Picking Game (find/sort to matching baskets); Thu Fall read-aloud; Fri Apple Tasting (three varieties, describe & chart).

• Plan: visual choice cards (blocks/art/library/outdoor); teacher prompts “What will you try first?”

• Do—Centers Additions: baskets, tongs, felt trees & felt apples; table easels with red/green paint; pretend farm stand with play money and scale.

• Review: toy/art recall at snack; teacher scribes child dictation (“I put two apples on tree”).

• Outside Objectives: wagon harvest haul; chalk apple outlines to step in/out; ramp roll races; nature sort (sticks/leaves/rocks) into bins; big/small jump patterns. Sensory Bin: Dry oats “orchard,” scoops, cups, plastic apples, leaf confetti; add small tongs midweek for pincer practice. Monthly Dramatic Play Pop-Up: Color Studio & Shapes stays; add farm stand props (reusable produce bags, labeled price tags, baskets). Teachers model “buying 1, 2 apples.” Misc. Planning:

• Songs/fingerplays: “Way Up High…,” “Johnny Appleseed Blessing,” “Pick an Apple, Put it In.”

• Transitions: “Apple Train” (red–green–red line order) with teacher modeling; routines emphasize numerals 1–3 and “more/less.” Detailed Activities (with KDIs):

• Apple Color Sort (Mon, Small Group): sort chips to matching baskets; name colors; count to 2 as placed. KDIs: 25, 24, 15, 19.

• Apple Stamping Shapes (Tue, Small Group): stamp circles/stars; compare big/little; label prints. KDIs: 19, 27, 15, 24.

• Fall Yoga (Wed, Small Group): Tree Pose (“roots down”), Breeze arms swish, Seed curl + breaths. KDIs: 18, 9, 5, 8.

• Apple Picking Game (Wed, Large Group): collect scattered apples; sort to matching basket; simple “first/next” cues. KDIs: 18, 25, 24, 30.

• Build-an-Apple Tree (Thu, Small Group): place apples by color/size on tree mat; describe placement (“top/bottom/next to”). KDIs: 28, 25, 24, 15.

• Apple Tasting & Chart (Fri, Large/Small): taste 2–3 kinds; vote favorite; simple chart talk “more/fewer.” KDIs: 24, W (data), 15, 3.

  
  
  
  

  Observation Targets: Level 2: sorts by one attribute; imitates two-step action; uses “more”/“mine”; points to named color; counts “1–2.” Level 3: continues simple sequence with modeling (red–green–red); uses “first/next”; compares “more/less”; names one preference (“sweet”). Capture brief dictations, photographs of sorts, and counting attempts to map growth in S/T/V/W and L/M.

Porcupines/Owls/Raccoons — Preschool Cohort (2.5–4 Years)

Planning Anchors: Approaches to Learning—Initiative (1), Problem Solving (2), Reflection (3). Social & Emotional—RULER (Mood Meter, Blueprint, Best Self) and KDIs (5–9). Mathematics focus (31–39): Numbers, Classification, Seriation, Patterns, Geometry, Data. Science/Tech (45–52): observe, predict, measure, conclude.

COR Advantage Areas / Items: L/M/N/O/P/Q Language & Literacy • S/T/U/V/W Mathematics & Data • X Science • Y Social Studies • A/B/C Approaches • E/F/G/H Social/Emotional • AA/BB Creative Arts

Objectives: Children will create, extend, and explain patterns in apple/harvest contexts, apply counting/graphing to real choices (attendance, tasting), classify by multiple attributes (color/size/texture), and use SEL tools to collaborate in group activities. Level 3: copy AB, sort by one attribute, answer “what comes next?” Level 4: extend to AAB/ABB/ABC, describe rules, compare data (more/fewer), make simple predictions.

Weekly Grid (Mon–Fri):

• Morning Meeting: Mon Mood Meter feelings graph; Tue attendance graph by shirt color; Wed read-aloud Apple Farmer Annie or Pattern Fish (pattern hunt); Thu morning message fill-in “red–green–?”; Fri weekly graph reflection & pattern share.

• Small Group: Mon Apple Sorting & Counting (color/size, sets to 5); Tue Apple Picking with Tongs (sort and count, “How many more?”); Wed Cheerio Corn (glue rows—repeating sequence); Thu Apple Hat Craft (sequence steps: band → leaf → apple); Fri Shape Scarecrow (compose with triangle/rectangle/circle).

• Large Group: Mon dramatic play “Orchard” (pick, haul, weigh); Tue “Farmer’s Apple Tree” counting game; Wed read-aloud discussion (farm to food); Thu Apple Tasting Party with class graph; Fri “Farmer Detectives” pattern/classification hunt.

• Plan/Do/Review: children state intentions (“I’ll build a red–green pattern tower”); review with peer sharing and class tally of pattern types (AB/AAB/ABC).

• Centers Additions: Math—measuring apples (scale, tape); Art—pie-making collage; Dramatic Play—Color Studio & Shapes; Light Table—translucent counters for repeating designs.

• Outside Play: pattern hunt on playground; chalk apples; nature walk collect & sort; nature sequencing paths; Mr. Fox steps (big–small–big). Sensory Bin: Month-long from September plan (light-table-friendly shapes/sizes). Review safe use Tuesday; keep open for free play and small-group provocations. Monthly Dramatic Play Pop-Up: Month-long Color Studio & Shapes with apple extensions (still available; children design wrapping paper or “pie lattices” using stripes/zigzags). Misc. Planning:

• Daily graphs/tallies (attendance, Mood Meter, tasting results).

• Pattern vocabulary in teacher talk: repeat, extend, attribute, rule, sequence, compare.

• Transitions use movement patterns (clap–stomp; line-up red–green).

• SEL: Mood Meter check-in; Blueprint for conflicts; “Best Self” at review. Detailed Activities (with KDIs):

• Apple Sorting & Counting (Mon, Small): sort by color, then count set sizes; compare which has more/fewer. KDIs: 25, 24, W, 15.

• Tongs Apple Picking (Tue, Small): pick/sort with tongs; subitize small sets; ask “How many more to make 5?” KDIs: 19, 24, 25, 2.

• Cheerio Corn (Wed, Small): glue rows as AB sequences on corn cutout; describe rule. KDIs: 26, 19, 15, 3.

• Apple Hat Craft (Thu, Small): follow a visual sequence; count staples; name parts (leaf/stem). KDIs: 3, 24, 15, 19.

• Shape Scarecrow (Fri, Small): compose with triangles/rectangles/circles; describe attributes (sides/corners). KDIs: 27, 25, 15, AA.

• Apple Tasting Party + Graph (Thu, Large/Small): try 2–3 types, vote favorite, build bar graph; use “more/fewer/same.” KDIs: W, 24, 15, 3.

• Farmer Detectives (Fri, Large): hunt classroom for stripes/dots/leaf shapes; tally finds; share rules noticed. KDIs: 26, W, 25, 1.

  
  
  
  

  Learning & Observation Targets: Language (L/M/N/P): L3 labels (“green apple”), L4 uses descriptors (“crunchy, sour”), L5 retells steps or pattern rules. Math (S/T/U/V/W): L3 matches/sorts; copies AB; L4 extends to AAB/ABB; compares more/fewer; L5 explains rule or predicts results. Science (X): observes differences; predicts heavier/longer; draws simple conclusions. Approaches (A/B/C): plans work, persists, reflects on outcomes. Social/Emotional (E–H): names feelings with Mood Meter; cooperates in group games; negotiates turns. Creative Arts (AA/BB): embeds patterns in art/music; keeps beat in pattern chants.