Educating Young Children Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

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N/A

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Course

TECA-1311-001 Educating Young Children

Prerequisites

Course Description

An introduction to the education of the young child, including developmentally appropriate practices and programs, theoretical and historical perspectives, ethical and professional responsibilities, and current issues. Students will participate in field experiences with children from infancy through age 12 in a variety of educational settings with varied and diverse populations.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Identify the features of a quality developmentally appropriate program for young children.
2. Explain contributions of historical and contemporary professionals and theorists to the field of early childhood education.
3. Analyze various early childhood programs and curricular models that have influenced practice.
4. Describe current and future trends and issues in the field of education.
5. Apply classroom observation and assessment skills to identify developmentally appropriate programs in diverse early childhood educational settings.
6. Describe and adhere to professional code of legal and ethical requirements for educators.

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Bredekamp, Sue (2014).  Effective Practices in Early Childhood Education:  Building a Foundation, Pearson Education, Inc, ISBN:  10-0-13-285333-7

Supplies

Computer, printer, printer paper and internet access.

There is a tab in Blackboard that is available - "Student Tools."  It is in the upper right-hand corner of the Blackboard page.

Please view the following video fo

Student Performance

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1. \ Discuss the contributions of key historical and contemporary theorists to the field of early childhood education.
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2. \ Explain the features of a developmentally appropriate program for young children
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3. \ Define the development and define each of the four basic developmental areas.
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4. \ Describe the types of early childhood programs.
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5. \ Analyze future trends and issues of the early profession.
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Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Student Behavior: Students are expected to follow all Amarillo College policies and procedures

• Your participation helps you learn more and makes the class more interesting.
• Feel free to ask questions.  I am here to help you.
• Check out Amarillo College’s Student’s Rights and Responsibilities.
• Respect and honesty guide this course.
• Make up exams are up to the instructor's discretion.  Please make a strong effort to complete all exams by the deadline date and time.  Make up exams may be in an essay format.  In order to be fair to students who take the exams during the given time frame, make up exams will lose 15% of their original value.
• If for some reason you are unable to complete this course, be sure to notify the instructor and the Registrar’s Office.
• Any student, who because of a disabling condition may require some special arrangement in order to meet course requirements, should contact disAbility services at 371-5436 as soon as possible.

 

 

 

Grading Criteria

Grading Completion of the 16 hour Observation Requirement is mandatory.  You will FAIL this class if observation hours are not completed and if the Observation Log Sheet and Observation Journal are not submitted for grading.

Grading Criteria:

Weekly Online Assignments -- 20% of Final Grade

 

2 Special Presentation Projects -- 20% of Final Grade

Mid Term Exam -- 10% of Final Grade

Final Exam -- 10% of Final Grade

Observation Experience -- Background check/16 hours completed log sheet/Observation Journals -- 40% of Final Grade

    Completion required to pass class and receive credit.

    Completed Observation Log Sheet due by Friday, July 25, 2014 at 12:00 pm in the Education Office on Washington Street Campus, Durrett Hall 113.  Please note my name on the log sheet when you turn it in to the office.  You can turn the log sheet in early, but late submit will not be allowed.

Grading Scale

 

A = 100-90

B = 89-80

C = 79-70

D = 69-65

F = 64-0

 

 

 

Attendance

 Log in frequently.  Complete and submit assignments by the due dates.  The online portion of the class will run from Tuesday afternoons through Monday evenings at 11pm.  All course work for that week's module will be due by 11pm on Monday evening.  Please do not wait until the end of the week to start your coursework for the module.  

Late work is not accepted.

 

Calendar

Additional Information

 

Instructor Policies/Attendance/Course Requirements: 

1. This is an online class.  Read and know the course syllabus.  The syllabus is the contract for the class.  You will complete the course assignments online.  It is the student’s responsibility to participate as scheduled.
2. Part of your grade will be based on your participation/attendance online.  Log in at least 3-4 times per week.  Check mail messages and course announcements.
3.  Read the assigned chapters in the textbook and view any media assigned with each chapter in the text.
4. Satisfactorily complete assignments, quizzes, and exams on scheduled dates.  MAKE-UP EXAMS AND ASSIGNMENTS ARE AT THE INSTRUCTOR’S DISCRETION.  TIME MANAGEMENT IS AN IMPORTANT SKILL.  THIS IS A COLLEGE CLASS.  PLAN AHEAD, COMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS EARLY IN THE WEEK AND LATE WORK WILL NOT BE A CONCERN.
5. COMPLETION AND VERIFICATION OF A 16 HOUR OBSERVATION EXPERIENCE AND JOURNAL ENTRIES ARE MANDATORY IN ORDER TO RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THIS COURSE.
6. Before June 11, complete a criminal history form and an affidavit form (must be notarized).  The blank forms are available from the AC Child Development Lab School.  Attach a $2 money order.  Make the money order payable to the TX Department of Family & Protective Services (TDFPS).  The blank forms can also be downloaded from the online section of the course.  Each student must have a criminal history on file through the AC Lab School.  Each history is valid for 2 years.  Each student must pass the criminal history in order to visit child care facilities and schools.  If you have any convictions, even if you think they have been adjudicated, or occurred when you were a minor, you must disclose it on your affidavit form.

Be certain to use your full name and take a money order, not a personal check.  You will need to complete all information, including your driver’s license number.  If not, it will slow your approval.  They cannot submit your request until you provide all information.

 

AC Child Development Lab School     P.O. Box 447     Amarillo, Texas  79178

Mail or take your completed forms to the Amarillo College Child Development Lab School on the West Campus:

 

 

Do these things as soon as possible.  They are due in the office at the Child Development Lab by Wednesday, June 11.   Email me when you have submitted your documents.

 

 

Required Exams and Final Schedule:

Each exam may consist of multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and essay.  Exams will cover readings, power points, and assignments.  You will generally have 60-90 minutes for each exam, unless otherwise stated. The Final Exam schedule will be posted online.

Observation Experience

Each student is required to observe and log a total of 16 hours over the course of the semester.  Observations may take place in public and accredited private schools and licensed child care facilities.

You will submit your original  Observation Log Sheet to me (in the Education Office, Washington Campus) as soon as you finish your 16 hours of observation.  Make a copy to keep for your records. I must receive the form before July 25, 2014. 

 

You may observe Early Childhood up through the fourth grade.  You may NOT observe above the fourth grade.  This experience is a state requirement and students must complete 16 hours to have credit.  FAILURE to do so will result in failure of this course.

 Since the focus of the course is about the concepts of educating children, students should focus this experience on concepts discussed in the course.  Your observation hours should consist of visiting at least 4 different schools/facilities.  You may spend an average of 3 hours at each location.  Some visits may be shorter, some longer.  Remember the AC Lab School is available to complete observation hours.  However, these must be scheduled ahead of time with the Director.

Remember to schedule all of your observation hours ahead of time.  You must call the school or facility ahead of time to schedule a visit (not on the day you want to visit.)  This shows you are a professional and are being considerate of those you want to observe.  You need to send me a copy of your observation schedule as soon as you have it scheduled.

You are NOT to observe only in the classroom!  Include hours to observe outside and during other activities such as meals, snacks, or nap time.  You will submit entries about your observations online and document the time and place of each entry on the Observation Log Sheet. Always have a supervisor sign your Observation Log Sheet.

Your Observation Log Sheet must be signed by principals, teachers, directors or other personnel for each visit.  You are NOT allowed to sign your log sheet.  Be sure to sign in and out of schools and child care facilities.   This documents who and when people are visiting a campus.   This is a safety procedure to protect children and adults.  Please abide by this request.

NOTE:  If you are taking more than one TECA course this summer, you are required to observe 16 hours for EACH course you are taking.  For example, if you are taking two TECA courses, that equals 32 observation hours.  You may not use the same hours for more than one course.

 

Observation Journal

Each student will complete a journal documenting your observation experience.  Be reflective and specific in your responses to questions contained in the journal document.  Read through the journal before each visit to get a good understanding of what you are to observe.  Take a copy of the journal with you when you observe.  Your responses should be typed into your document.  Use a colored or italicized font to differentiate your responses from the questions.  Remember, this is considered a professional document.   Be sure to check your spelling and grammar.  I will keep your original journal and log sheet, so you will want to keep a copy for your records.