T, 5:30 - 8:20 p.m.
Identify, describe, and compare early childhood curriculum models and theories.
Identify, describe, and evaluate a developmentally appropriate learning environment designed to meet the interests and needs of all young children.
Identify, plan, and create curricular experiences that promote young children’s positive self-concept, social relationships, multicultural experiences, and artistic expression.
Identify, plan, and create curricular experiences that promote young children’s learning of the language arts.
Understand and explain the developmental stages of play.
Plan, create, and evaluate content area learning centers for young children.
Class Participation and Professional Conduct, 10% of grade: Merely attending class is not sufficient to earn the class participation credit, but you must be present in order to participate. Unexcused absences will affect your participation grade. Come to class prepared and ready to actively participate in each class session: ask questions, answer questions, share your knowledge and experiences, and actively participate in whole class and small group discussions and activities. Read any assigned course materials, bring your text and course materials to every class session, and take responsibility for your share of discussion. One of the privileges of a community of learners is gaining feedback from others as you learn. Take advantage of this privilege—ask others to proofread your assignments, study with members of the class, and discuss ideas with group members. Evaluation criteria: a) actively engage others in constructive discussion, questioning, and querying during class sessions to assist in the development of self-reflective practice, 50 points, and b) group evaluations of participation based on discussion rubrics, 50 points. If there is no group discussion evaluation required for a specific date, participation grades for that date will be based 100% on the student’s class discussion participation as described in (a), or, if noted by the professor, on participation in another type of activity.
Current Events Assignments, 15% of grade: You will collect current events concerning Early Childhood, Early Childhood Curriculum, Early Childhood School-related Issues, etc. More information on these assignments will be given at a later date.
Developmentally Appropriate Learning Environment and DAP Observation, 15% of the grade: As a professional educator, you should be able to identify and document a developmentally appropriate, early childhood learning environment within an instructional setting. The observation project allows you the opportunity to apply your knowledge of learning theories and developmentally appropriate practice as you evaluate an early childhood instructional learning environment. For the observation assignment, you will conduct an observation of any instructional learning environment. For example, you could observe as a visitor in your own child’s daycare setting, a preschool classroom or school classroom, a public library storyhour, or a similar setting. Take notes as you observe, or write down your observations immediately afterward, and record your impressions of any developmentally appropriate instruction that occurs. Document what you see that makes this environment a developmentally appropriate learning environment. Analyze what is good and what might not be appropriate, if any.
Write a word processed, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 font, 2-3 page paper in which you describe the learning environment and developmentally appropriate practice that you see. The observation paper should be double-spaced, typed in 12 font, Times New Roman, like this syllabus. Submit the paper with a single staple in the upper left-hand corner. Do not submit your paper in any folder or binder. Evaluation criteria will be handed out at a later date.
Content Area Learning Center and Presentation, 15% of grade: Research the internet for developmentally appropriate content area learning centers. Select a content area, either math, science, or social studies, and choose a topic from that content area. Then access the internet and select 3 content area learning centers on the same topic. Create and present your favorite content learning center on that topic from the examples you found online. For example, you might choose the science content area and find three learning centers on the topic of magnets. You would then choose your favorite learning center on magnets and develop it for your class presentation. You may do this project individually or you may do it with one partner. If you choose to have a partner, make sure that your partner is responsible for half of the project. In addition, divide your presentation so that both of you participate equally. More information will be given on this assignment at a later date. (You cannot use the topic of magnets for your actual content area learning center choice.)
Dramatic Play Prop Box and Presentation, 15% of grade: You will create and present a dramatic play learning center. Be sure to include literacy materials in your prop box. You may do this project individually or you may do it with one partner. If you choose to have a partner, make sure that your partner is responsible for half of the project. In addition, divide your presentation so that both of you participate equally. More information will be given on this assignment at a later date. (See page 357 for an explanation of a prop box).
Midterm and Final Exams, each 15% of grade: The midterm exam addresses the first half of the course material. The final exam is over the remainder of the course. Prepare for and complete the mid-term exam and the final exam. You will be successful with these exams if you keep up with the required readings, actively participate in class sessions, review and study course materials, and apply critical thinking skills at all times.
GRADES: Grades are determined by weighing the course requirements in the following manner:
Participation in a variety of class and group activities 10%
Child Observation 15%
Current Events Chapter Assignment 15%
Content Area Learning Center and Presentation 15%
Dramatic Play Prop Box and Presentation 15%
Midterm Exam 15%
Final Exam 15%
Grading Scale:
90 - 100 = A
80 - 89 = B
70 - 79 = C
60 - 69 = D
Assignments are due according to the requirements in the syllabus.
Assignments are due as assigned.
Attendance: Attendance for this class is required. Professional teachers are dependable, reliable, and responsible; therefore, students enrolled in an education course are expected to be in attendance, on time for class, and to stay for the entire class. Absence, tardiness, and leaving early are considered evidence of lack of dependability and will be noted for each class session. Students who are more than 10 minutes late to class or who leave class early will be counted absent for the class session. Students who are less than 10 minutes late to class, but who are chronically tardy, will lose 10 percentage points (equivalent of one letter grade) from their final course grade. Students may be dropped from the course by the professor if a student misses more than three classes.
The content of this course is presented via class discussions, modeling and demonstrations, lectures, readings, case study scenarios, and small group activities. Your attendance and participation are required to obtain a complete understanding of course material. It is your responsibility to make up any missed work. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain notes, class announcements, assignments, and handouts from another student prior to the next scheduled class time. Pair up with someone in class to collect handouts and take notes if necessary. Excused absences will be approved on a case by case basis only.
Late work will not be accepted except in cases of an emergency.
Please turn off all communication devices (cell phones) during class. Please use your cell phones on break and not during class.
Syllabus Changes: This syllabus is subject to change. Any changes will be announced in class.
Disability Access: Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to inform the professor and to contact the MSU Counseling and Disability Office at 940 – 397 – 4618.
MSU Writing Center: For assistance with your writing projects, you may want to contact the writing lab for assistance.
Plagiarism Statement: Plagiarism (submitting another person’s work as your own or using another person’s words without giving them proper credit) is academic dishonesty and will be considered grounds for failing an assignment, and possibly this course (see Student Handbook). By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a “limited right” in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course. The limited right shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student’s work product in order to verify originality, authenticity, and for educational purposes.