To satisfactorily complete this course the student will:

1. Read assigned chapters in the textbook and view any media assigned with each chapter or section of the text.
2. Participate by completing and posting weekly web assignments by the deadline dates.
3. Satisfactorily complete five exams on scheduled dates.
4. Complete and submit Observation Journal and original log sheet with signatures by 5:00 PM on Thursday, July 17, 2014.
5. COMPLETION AND VERIFICATION OF A 16 HOUR OBSERVATION IS MANDATORY IN ORDER TO RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THIS COURSE.
6. A criminal background check will be conducted on each student in order for you to have access to the public schools and child care facilities. Complete a criminal history form, affidavit form (notarized), and a $2 money order payable to:  TX Department of Family & Protective Services (TDFPS).  All students must have a clear criminal history on file with Amarillo College in order to successfully complete any TECA course at AC.
7. If you do NOT have a current, clear criminal history on file with AC, mail to (AC Child Development Lab School, Box 447, Amarillo, TX 79178) or bring the following items to the AC Child Development Lab School on West Campus:  

1) your current driver’s license (copy, if mailing); 2) $2 money order payable to TDFPS; 3) completed criminal history form; and 4) notarized affidavit.  The clear criminal history record has to be done before you may begin observing.  Once your clearance is received, I will be notified and will send you an email so you will know that you may begin observing. It only takes a few days to get the information back from the state.  Please make this a priority and mail or bring your items to the AC Child Development Lab School by noon on Friday, June 13. (The lab school closes at noon on Fridays)

Note: If you have resided outside the state of Texas within the last five years, you will need to complete a finger print test. If you have completed a tour and a criminal history in another TECA course here at AC, send me an email indicating which course and semester you completed the criminal history and one hour tour.

1. Summer hours for the AC Child Development Lab School are: Monday-Thursday 7:00 am – 5:00pm, and Friday 7:00am-12:00 noon.    

                                              

   Things to Remember:

• Feel free to ask questions.  I am here to help you.
• Check out Amarillo College’s Students Rights and Responsibilities.
• Respect and honesty will guide this course.
• If for some reason you are unable to complete this course, be sure to notify the Registrar’s office by July 22, 2014, which is the last day to drop a class.
• 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.
• TIME MANAGEMENT IS AN IMPORTANT SKILL.  COMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS EARLY EACH WEEK AND LATE WORK WILL NOT BE AN ISSUE.
• Please know that I am a reasonable person.  I realize that life’s circumstances are sometimes beyond our control.  I will listen to any concerns or issues you may have.  Good communication between instructor and student is vital for your success.
• 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:  A maximum of 900 points will be possible.

Unit exams (5 @ 100 points each)              500 points                      

 8 weekly assignments                              100 points

Observation Journal                                    200 points

WEB Activities (2 @ 50 each)                     100 points            

                                                                900 points total

 

Grading Scale:

A = 810 – 900 points

B = 720 – 809 points

C = 630 –  719 points

D = 540 –  629 points

F = Below  540  points

 

 

Course Assignments

 

Five Unit Exams - 500 points

Each exam may consist of multiple choice, true/false, and/or short answer.  Exams will cover specific chapters.  Each exam is worth 100 points for a total of a possible 500 points.  You will generally have 60 minutes for each exam, unless otherwise stated.

 

8 Weekly Assignments – 100 points

Assignments will consist of weekly case studies or chapter questions.  These will be assigned each week over the course of the semester.  Be sure to read the directions stated under each weekly assignment.  When completing the assignment, keep in mind what the assignment is asking you to do. 

 

2 WEB Activities – 100 points (50 points each)

WEB Activities will generally come from specific web sites, and are in addition to weekly assignments.  When asked to summarize, write the summary using your own words, not the words stated in the article or web site.  If you want to quote part of an article, be sure to enclose it with quotation marks.  Remember not to plagiarize.  I am interested in your understanding and interpretation, not simply what the web site states.

 

 

Observation Experience Log Sheet

The state of Texas requires 16 hours of observation for TECA 1318, 1303, and 1311.  Observations may take place in public schools and/or accredited or licensed child care facilities.  You may observe Early Childhood up through Fourth Grade.  You may not observe above the fourth grade.  Because this is a state requirement, failure to complete the 16 hours and submission of your log sheet will result in failure of this course.

 

Each student must complete a criminal history, notarized affidavit, and include a $2 money order payable to TDFPS.  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.

 

1. Since the focus of the course is essentially health, safety, and nutrition, students should focus this experience on concepts discussed in the course.  Your observation hours should consist of what questions are listed in the observation journal.  If you are unable to observe a particular item in the journal, you need to visit another location to observe the item listed.  Visit a child care facility that will allow you to view the kitchen.  Remember, the AC Lab School is available to complete observation hours.  However, these must be scheduled ahead of time with the director.
2. Remember to schedule ALL of your observation hours ahead of time.  You must call the 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. 
3. You are NOT to observe only in the classroom.  There are 5 sections in the journal and you should list on your log sheet when and where you completed each section in the journal. 
4. You are NOT allowed to sign your log sheet!  When you visit any child care facility, be sure to get the person you observe or person in charge of the facility to sign your log sheet.  Each visit must include a signature!  Make sure your observation hours total 16 hours!
5. Be sure to total your hours at the bottom of the log sheet.

 

Log sheets must be signed by principals, teachers, directors, or other personnel.  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.  Include phone numbers so your hours can be verified.  Thisexperience should average about

3-4 hours per week.  Your completed log sheet and journal are due by 5:00 PM on Thursday, July 17.

 

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, three TECA courses equals 48 observation hours.  You may not use the same hours for more than one course.  It is recommended that you not take more than two TECA courses at a time.  Only TECA 1354, Child Growth and Development, does not have a 16 hour observation requirement.

 

 

Observation Journal – 200 points

Each student will complete a journal documenting your observation experience.  Be reflective and specific in your responses to questions contained in the journal document.  This journal is located under the course tools icon.  Read through the journal several times so you get a good understanding of what you are to observe.  Take a copy of the journal with you when you go to observe.  Your responses should be typed into your document.  It is easiest to copy and paste the journal into a word document, and then as you type your answers, you may scroll down for as much room as you need for each question. Usea 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.  You may bring your completed journal to the AC Child Development Lab School by 5:00 PM on Thursday, July 17, or you may mail it to me. (Please allow extra mail time because I need to receive it by Thursday, July 17.)  My mailing address is Marie Manley, 29 Cottonwood Lane, Canyon, TX 79015.  I will keep your journal and log sheet, so please make a copy of your log sheet with your observation hours before sending it to me.