Curriculum Overview
The SEE Every Child Curriculum is rooted in state and national learning standards and informed by the latest research on how young children learn best. Developed by and for Somerville educators, the curriculum responds to the needs, strengths, and diversity of Somerville’s children.
The curriculum integrates learning across all learning domains, combining SEE’s own play-based, literacy-rich approach with carefully selected curriculum in math, social-emotional learning, and handwriting. This thoughtful blend ensures that children engage in meaningful, connected learning experiences where they can thrive in every day in every way.
The SEE Every Child Curriculum is used in all Somerville Public Schools preschool classrooms, as well as in partner community childcare centers throughout the city, supporting a unified, citywide approach to early education.
We believe that children are curious, capable, compassionate, creative.
We keep this belief at the core of everything we do.
SEE Every Child is:
Centered on the whole child.
SEE educators value children as whole beings—focusing on academics AND social emotional development. SEE uses the Second Step curriculum to explicitly teach emotional awareness, social interaction skills, and empathy.
Anti-bias focused.
Research shows that young children are aware of biases at surprisingly young ages. They are also capable of reflective dialogue and actively addressing inequities.
SEE learning experiences offer multiple entry points so that children with special needs, multilingual learners, and children developing at their own paces all have meaningful ways to engage.
Learning through play.
Influenced by the Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches, SEE Every Child builds in extended time daily for children to engage in purposeful, guided play, leading their own learning.
Thematic and interdisciplinary.
SEE is organized around thematic projects, or Big Ideas, with opportunities for children to explore integrated (not isolated) concepts, ideas, and complex topics that matter to them and their communities.
Flexible and adjustable.
Each group of children brings their own ideas, interests, languages, and cultural backgrounds to their classroom community. Educators have flexibility to follow children’s unique paths through the Big Ideas. SEE fosters cross-city collaboration among educators pursuing similar projects.
Considers the classroom environment.
SEE classroom environments are designed for children to make choices, develop independence, and engage with materials, ideas, and each other.
Grounded in the Four Intentions.
SEE instructional practices are grounded in The Four Intentions: Compelling Materials, Explicit Presentation, Responsive Scaffolding, and Following Children’s Interests. (Kuh & Ponte, 2023)
Responsive and co-constructed.
Educators have been a part of developing the SEE framework from the start, sharing their ideas and visions, generating suggestions for topics, and giving feedback.
The Building Blocks of the SEE Every Child Curriculum
Our five Curriculum Building Blocks—Big Ideas, Learning Experiences, Environment, Instructional Materials, and Assessment—work together to create a rich and responsive learning environment. Each component plays a vital role in helping children grow, explore the world around them, and thrive through intentional teaching, meaningful play, and strong relationships.
Big Ideas
Children are constantly striving to make meaning of their world and we invite them to think big by engaging with big ideas.
Environment
We believe that children are at their best (and do their best) when they are in a safe and trusting environment, with adults and peers who see, hear, and value them.
Learning Experiences
We know that children take ownership of their learning through interaction and high engagement. We believe play is powerful, purposeful, and the work of children.
Instructional Materials
Educators invite children to engage with interesting materials that spark curiosity, joy and engagement with others.
Assessment
SEE educators map children’s progress with curiosity and through multiple perspectives to support each child’s growth and development through tailored instruction designed to meet individual needs.