!!!! EDUC 310 Preschool Education Clinical Experience four credit hours Spring 2015 Independent Study

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1 EDUC 310 Preschool Education Clinical Experience four credit hours Spring 2015 Independent Study Required Course Texts Nilsen, B.A. (2013). Week by week: Plans for documenting children development (6 th edition). California: Wadsworth. ISBN: Ohio s Early Learning and Development Standards Available on Moodle Course Description Melissa Hess, Assistant Professor melissa.hess@ccuniversity.edu EDUC 310 Cell Phone: Office Location: Education Department Office Hours: This is both a course and field experience. During the assigned class time, participants learn the benefits, limitations, and use a variety of observation tools. The field experience features participation in an early childhood program (5 hours per week) under the supervision of an experienced early childhood educator at which time participants practice the observation techniques learned in class. Participants share outcomes or findings they gathered from a child study with the teachers and families in a structured conference-style setting. Pre-service teachers develop skills in the areas of systematic observation and reflection. Emphasis is also on developing professionalism, an understanding of children and families from a variety of cultural backgrounds, children with special needs, and a positive attitude toward the early childhood field. Prerequisite or concurrent: EDUC 220 Course Objectives You will begin to develop the following skills: Systematic observation of children Working as a team member Developing professionalism Developing an understanding of families from a variety of cultural backgrounds and children with special needs Learn to use a variety of observation tools appropriate for the preschool/early childhood classroom Students completing the field experience will be able to systematically observe and evaluate children in an early childhood setting. Students will be able to identify curricular activities which are developmentally appropriate, collect data on students through the use of professionally recognized tools and demonstrate professional behavior in the early childhood classroom.

2 NAEYC Professional Preparation Standards NAEYC Professional Prepara2on Standards 1a: Knowing and understanding young children s characteris6cs and needs, from birth through age 8. 1b: Knowing and understanding the mul6ple influences on early development and learning 3b: Knowing about and using observa6on, documenta6on, and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches, including the use of technology in documenta6on, assessment and data collec6on. 4c: Using a broad repertoire of developmentally appropriate teaching /learning approaches 5a: Understanding content knowledge and resources in academic disciplines: language and literacy; the arts music, crea6ve movement, dance, drama, visual arts; mathema6cs; science, physical ac6vity, physical educa6on, health and safety; and social studies. 5c: Using own knowledge, appropriate early learning standards, and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate developmentally meaningful and challenging curriculum for each child. 6a: Iden6fying and involving oneself with the early childhood field 6c: Engaging in con6nuous, collabora6ve learning to inform prac6ce; using technology effec6vely with young children, with peers, and as a professional resource 6e: Engaging in informed advocacy for young children and the early childhood profession 7a. Opportuni6es to observe and prac6ce in at least two of the three early childhood age groups (birth age 3, 3-5, 5-8) 7b. Opportuni6es to observe and prac6ce in at least two of the three main types of early educa6on serngs (early school grades, child care centers and homes, Head Start programs) Performance Outcomes to be Assessed by the Course Performance Outcomes 2. Teachers understand and respect the diversity of the students they teach 5. Teachers demonstrate knowledge of communica6on skills and interpersonal rela6onship skills across diverse cultures 8. Teachers display knowledge of how students learn and of the developmental characteris6cs of age groups 13. Teachers understand and use varied assessments to inform instruc6on, evaluate and ensure student learning 15. Teachers are reflec6ve and display a willingness to implement change 16. Teachers know and understand professional ethics and policies and legal codes of professional conduct 18. Teacher candidate comprehends and u6lizes the academic language including vocabulary and language structures appropriate to the content, child s language development and the teaching profession Standards Statement The Early Learning Standards are addressed and discussed at various levels throughout this course. Related standards are available on the Ohio Department of Education website and in the education Department Handbook. Value Added Statement The Value Added concept is addressed and discussed at various levels throughout this course.

3 CCU Mission Statement The mission of Cincinnati Christian University is to teach men and women to live by biblical principles and to equip and empower them with character skills, insight and vision to lead the church and to impact society for Christ. Course Requirements FIELD EXPERIENCE INFORMATION On designated dates outlined on the course plan, the weekly class meeting will be held at Miami Valley Christian Academy. You are free to drive yourself and/or carpool and meet at the location site. If you need transportation, please directly contact the professor. During those class sessions, students will be observing in a preschool classroom and may count those hours toward your total number of 75 field experience hours. In addition, you will be responsible for acquiring a preschool site where you can complete the majority of the required observation hours. The professor will provide a list of potential sites. You must turn in evidence of fingerprinting (Ohio BCI and FBI) for review to Melissa Hess or Jackie Rosenberger prior to visiting your practicum site. On the first day of your site visit, please give the following documents to your supervising teacher: Student Information Sheet Student Evaluation Sheet Copy of your BCI/FBI fingerprinting evidence Copy of this course syllabus Plan to spend five hours a week for fifteen weeks at your field experience site. It is your responsibility to set up a weekly plan of observation times so your site is aware of when you will be observing. You are expected to be at the site during your regularly assigned hours unless you have an emergency situation or become ill. If you are going to miss a visit, call the site and tell them you will be absent and then , call, or text Mrs. Hess explaining the reason for your absence. The expectation is that you will be responsible in attending observations. Chronic tardiness demonstrates a lack of professionalism that will be reflected in your final grade. If the site is closed for any reason, including inclement weather, you will not report to the site. You will need to plan for compensatory time for your field experience hours missed due to closure or illness. Final Deadline: February 3rd Failure to turn in evidence by this date may result in your not being allowed to complete your field experience observation hours in the current semester. You will be required to retake this course. Please adhere to the stated deadline.

4 Weekly Meetings with Supervising Teacher Arrange for a scheduled meeting time with your supervising teacher, once a week, for at least 15 minutes each time. During your meetings, be proactive. Ask questions and share what you are seeing in your observations. Be aware that sometimes your supervising teacher will be unable to meet with you due to circumstances beyond his/her control. Try to reschedule canceled meetings for another time during the same week, but be flexible and understanding if rescheduling is not possible. Always remain professional. Observation and Evaluation of Student You will be using a variety of observation tools and strategies to collect data on students in the classroom. You will be completing the data collection forms three times, once together as a class with your peers and professor, once at the preschool that we are meeting together as a group and one more time at the preschool that you are completing your practicum. You will create a portfolio of the student(s) being observed. Before the next class meeting, submit your evaluation on moodle for grading. At the end of the semester, make two copies of the portfolio materials. Give one copy to the supervising teacher and the other copy will be turned in to the professor in your portfolio. Your observations should be informative about each child s development. These are not used to record cute or funny incidents. The observations should be systematic and aimed at answering specific questions you have about a student s strengths and weaknesses. These will be reviewed and discussed during our class sessions. Your Role in the Classroom During your field experience, you should take an active role in the classroom. You will be observing the teacher and children, but you should do your observing as you interact with the children and practice your teaching skills. As you interact with the teachers, work on your communication and teamwork skills. Ask questions if you are unsure of the routine, and follow the professional example of the teachers in your interactions with the children. Professionalism Professionalism as a Christian early childhood educator requires that you treat your supervising teacher, other teachers, administrators, and children with respect. As a professional, you will be expected to be prompt and responsible, to dress professionally, to work hard, and to learn as much as possible from your classroom experiences. Although professional conduct does not require that you agree with your supervising teacher in all areas, it does require that you ask questions in a respectful manner and honor the requests of the teacher while you are in his or her classroom. Always keep in mind that you are a representative of CCU, its Education program, and Christ. Your actions reflect not only on yourself, but also on your college and your relationship with God.

5 Attendance: In accordance with CCU policy, only 6 hours of this class may be missed, as this is a three - credit hour class. Absences for any reason in excess of this number will result in a drop from the class and receiving a grade of FA (failure due to absences). Please review the CCU Attendance Policy. If you do miss a class session, it is your responsibility to get notes and any other information you missed from a class member. If an assignment is due on the day of your absence, the assignment still must be submitted that day or it will be considered late. A late arrival or early dismissal exceeding 15 minutes will be counted as one hour of absence. Additionally, failure to fully complete any online Moodle coursework will be considered the equivalent to one full absence. Participation: Participation, Readings, and Reflections: Class participation is required. Participation includes: Reading the textbook prior to each class period and bringing the text and all other books required on a particular day. Always check the course schedule for books and assignments needed on that day. Notebook: Completing any homework assignments assigned throughout the semester. Having assigned readings ready prior to class and actively participating in class discussions or group work. Consistently displaying a professional attitude as seen through class presentations, written work, in-class demeanor, as well as being in class on time and staying for the complete class. Full engagement in the participation and completion of any coursework on Moodle is expected. A binder (2 inch, 3 ring binder with class material organized using dividers for each of the below sections) is to be kept for the class. Please differentiate or color code between forms for our in-class use, preschool group and practicum. The contents of the notebook are to be as follows: A. Environmental Narrative B. Safe and Healthy Environment C. Learning Environment D. Advancing Cognitive Skills E. Advancing COmmunication Skills F. Advancing Creative Skills G. Physical Skills H. Promoting Social Skills I. Positive Self-Concept J. Anecdotal Records K. Frequency Counts

6 L. Checklists M. Ratings N. Event Sampling O. Time Sampling P. Narrative Description Q. Diary Description R. Play With Others S. Child Study/ Conference T. Comparison Observation U. Piaget Kit V. A Tool For Assessment W. Storybook Assignment X. Social Skills Prompt Y. Observation Scenario Z. School District Report Notebooks will be checked in class the week of Final Exams. School District Research Project: Using the Ohio Department of Education s website, students will be researching an assigned school district for this project. Students will present the project to the class on the assigned date. More information about this assignment will be given in class, by the professor. Field Experience: A total of 75 hours of classroom observation are required for this course. Students will submit a signed time log of observation hours completed at their field experience site(s). This form can be found on moodle. Further clarification about this assignment will be given in class, by the professor. Case Study/Child Study Project: Students will be responsible for writing a child study report after selecting a child at your field experience site. This project will gather data and summarize the child s physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. Students will also include their professional opinion regarding the child s individual strengths and weakness regarding development. The necessary forms will be provided on moodle. This assignment will be submitted on moodle and then you will make two copies of this project, one for the supervising teacher and one for your final grade. The project must include all of the exercises, artifacts, and notes from your observation experiences. More information about this assignment will be given in class, by the professor. Observation Exercises: Students will complete several observation exercises during preschool field experiences. Upon completion of these exercises, students will summarize what they

7 learned from using each observation method, highlighting its individual strengths and weaknesses. More information about this assignment will be given in class, by the professor. Final Exam: A final exam covering the text and class lectures will be given during finals week. EVALUATION Participation (1 per day x 27) 27 points (3%) Reading/Chapter Note Quizzes (9 x 10 points) 90 points (10%) Field Experience Exercise (60 assign. x 5 points ) 300 points (33%) Observations (3 observations x 25) 75 points (8%) Piaget Conservation Kit 50 points (5%) School District Research Project 50 points (5%) Field Experience 75 points (8%) Child Study Project 50 points (5%) Notebook 100 points (11%) Final Exam 100 points (11%) Total 917 points General Information All assignments must be typed in Times New Roman font, size 12-point font, and have 1-inch page margins. An assignment will be considered late if it is not submitted by the start of the class session on which it is due. A 10% penalty per day will be given for each late paper/ assignment. Americans with Disabilities Act Statement Students who require academic accommodations due to any documented physical, psychological, or learning disability should request assistance from the Academic Support Director, Marie Reeves, within the first two weeks of class. The Academic Support Office is located in the lower level of the Worship and Ministry Building (room 153). You may also contact the office by phone ( ). Please refer to the Cincinnati Christian University Academic Catalog for general academic information, including the university s grading scale used to determine the final letter grade for the course. Please review Cincinnati Christian University s policies on cheating and plagiarism. The professor reserves the right to change anything in the course; including curriculum, schedule, assignments, and grading procedures at any time throughout the semester.

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