Discovery: An Introduction Alaska Sea Week Curriculum Series I: Discovery: An Introduction, Kindergarten

The seven volumes comprising the new Sea Week Curriculum Guide Series are an expansion and revision of a curriculum project begun by Juneau parents 15 years ago. Discovery is the first of seven Sea Week curriculum guides. As a basic introduction, this first book lends itself well to a kindergarten curriculum; and Volumes 11 through VII are progressively more advanced. The authors hasten to add, though, that the books aren't "locked" into the particular grade levels, and have even been adapted effectively to preschool, secondary and adult education. Several factors are responsible for the versatility. One is that while student activities in each book are at grade level, the teacher background materials are written at university level, and can be transferred to the classroom at any level the teacher desires. Another is that the curriculum encourages the use of community resource experts, who can gear their talk. and tours to anyone from preschoolers to retirees. A third reason for the versatility is that many of the student activities have latitude. When in Volume V I the guide suggests building model boats, for instance, U includes the pattern for a paper cutout. But the same activity can be used by high schoolers constructing complicated models, or even by adult students trying their hands at building an actual kayak!