POCET Language Example

POCET provides four basic activities for each of the 68 Developmental Guidelines which provide a scope and sequence of skills for Language, Literacy and Mathematics, plus five other domains of learning.

Here is an example for the Language domain:
New Word for the Day
A good teacher is constantly on the lookout for new words to introduce to the group of children. Choose a new word for the day. The word might be a new vocabulary word for children or it could be a word from a book that will be read to the group. Explain the word and what it means. Have the children repeat the word and then use it throughout the day. Example: "Children, today we are going to talk about the word 'pebble'." During the course of the day, read Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig. Talk about places where pebbes are found.

Correction on page 83, Binder #2

An error has been found on page 83, in Binder #2.

At the bottom of the Assessment Charts included in the POCET kit, you will find the correct key.
Correct:


However, the key listed on page 83, in Binder #2, is incorrect. There you will see the following key.
Incorrect:


When completing the Assessment Chart for Step 5: Charting Progress for Easy Reference on page 83, please be aware of this difference and be sure to use the correct key.

So how does POCET work for you?

STEP 1: POCET identifies 68 Developmental Guidelines, which provide a scope and sequence of skills for Language, Literacy and Mathematics, plus 5 other domains of learning. These Developmental Guidelines are in developmentally appropriate order, and give teachers a blueprint for assessing each child’s progress.
STEP 2: POCET provides 4 basic activities to support skill progression for each of the 68 Developmental Guidelines – 272 easy-to-use activities in all!
STEP 3: POCET includes 25 Developmental Checklists for recording individual progress. These folders allow teachers to track each child’s progress throughout the year in each of the eight domains of learning.
STEP 4: POCET includes a formal assessment in the critical areas of Language, Literacy and Mathematics. This 25-question assessment includes 12 full color pictures for use in giving the assessment, and takes about 10 minutes to administer. The results of this assessment are also tracked in the Developmental Checklist Folder.
STEP 5: POCET allows teachers to graph the class’s progress in Math, Language and Literacy, to help identify gaps and tailor lesson plans to address them. Three Class Assessment Charts are provided.
STEP 6: POCET data can be used to inform instruction on the 52 Lesson Plans that come with POCET. Teachers use the information gathered from the formal and informal assessment to plan and create activities.

All the components listed above come with POCET and are packed into a sturdy storage box with a carry handle.

POCET FAQ's

Is POCET endorsed by NAEYC?
NAEYC does not endorse any commercial product. However, POCET is in line with NAEYC’s new Accreditation Standards, particularly Standard # 4.

POCET has a formal assessment. I thought that formally assessing preschool children was not developmentally appropriate.
According to NAEYC Accreditation Standard # 4, it is appropriate to have a formal assessment as one of the measures for tracking progress. In NAEYC’s most recent publication, “The Basics of Developmentally Appropriate Practice,” it states that when given appropriately, a formal assessment is both appropriate and necessary to track a child’s progress.

Does POCET line up with my state’s standards for preschool education?
When developing POCET, the author checked many state core curriculum preschool standards that were available and Head Start Outcome Indicators. POCET will provide an easy way to track progress for almost every required accountability standard for preschool.

Why should I use POCET when we already have curriculum we have chosen?
POCET was developed to help teachers track the progress of individual children and to use that information to plan appropriate activities. It also gives teachers an opportunity to share tracking information with parents throughout the year. It was created to be used with any curriculum or assessments already in place. POCET helps teachers organize all of the teaching and monitoring in a way that is doable and makes sense.

Is POCET a scientific screener that has national norms?
No, POCET is not meant to be used as a screener to make decisions about special education services or developmental levels. POCET was not written to be the only assessment or tracking process used by a teacher. As stated in the NAEYC Accreditation Standard #4, multiple methods of assessment should be used in tracking children. Although POCET contains informal and formal assessment procedures, other measures should also be used by the teacher to track progress, such as portfolio samples, anecdotal records and screeners when appropriate.

I already have an assessment system. Why should I look at POCET?
If your assessment system is giving you all the information you need and if the teachers are able to use it efficiently and effectively, POCET may not be for you. Keep in mind that POCET is an organizational tool to monitor all tracking information for student progress and for use in planning effective activities. After looking at POCET, many teachers have stated that it is much easier to understand and more usable than the systems that they are using now. POCET can also be a compliment piece to any curriculum and assessment system.

How does POCET fit into the Head Start Outcome Indicators?
POCET actually works very well for the Head Start Outcome Indicators and also for the individualization that needs to happen in Head Start Classrooms. The Developmental Guidelines in POCET reflect the Head Start Outcome Indicators, so the Checklist Folder and Formal Assessment reflect those indicators. An important part of POCET for Head Start is the Lesson Plan form. All of the Head Start Requirements for planning and individualization are reflected on the POCET Lesson Plan form.