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Special Topics in Advanced Child Care Practices Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Instructor Information

Instructor

Rochelle Fouts (Curriculum Vitae)

E-Mail

rlfouts@actx.edu

Phone

<p>806-371-5206</p>

Office Location

Dutton Hall 102

Office Hours

During the Fall & Spring semester, I am available in the office from 9am-11am, Monday-Thursday.  If these times do not work for you, please contact me and we will find a time that works!

During the Summer, I am available by appointment only in the office.  But, we can schedule a phone or virtual meeting anytime!

Course Information

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

CDEC-1294-001 Special Topics in Advanced Child Care Practices

Prerequisites

Corequisite: CDEC 2264

Course Description

Study of advanced skills in the early childhood setting for teachers and administrators. Content addresses 13 functional areas of quality child care, current research, knowledge, attitudes and behaviors.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(2 sem hr; 2 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program and CDA Competency Standards:  Infant-Toddler Edition --  2013 Copyright Edition

OR the

The Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program and CDA Competency Standards:  Preschool Edition--  2013 Copyright Edition

 

Book can be purchased at AC Bookstore on West Campus.

              or      

Supplies

The student will need access to the internet and Blackboard Learning for other resources needed during the semester.  

The student will need to purchase a notebook and dividers for the CDA Professional Portfolio.

Student Performance

Study the requirements of the CDA credential.

Collect evidence of high quality to meet requirements of CDA credential.

Organize and provide evidence of all requirements met in a portfolio. 

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

Grading Criteria

Attendance at all scheduled classes = 25% of Final Grade
Professional Portfolio = 30% of Final Grade
Weekly Learning Activities = 30% of Final Grade
Final Exam = 15% of Final Grade

Grading Scale
A = 100 -- 90
B =   89 -- 80
C =   79 -- 70
D =   69 -- 65
F =    64 -- 0

 

Attendance

Attend class regularly and promptly. Attendance is vitally important for the successful completion of this course.

This is a hybrid course.  Part of the instruction will be online and then we will meet as a class on the following in the Allied Health Building Room 139 on West Campus

  • Thursday, June 7, 1pm-4pm
  • Thursday, June 14, 1pm-4pm
  • Thursday, July 12, 1pm-4pm
  • Thursday, July 19, 1pm-4pm --  Professional Portfolio Due

The Professional Portfolio is due July 19th.  

The online portion of the course will run from Tuesday afternoon through Monday evening at 11pm.

Calendar

Each module will open on Tuesday afternoons and be open through Monday nights, closing at 11pm.  All work for the week/module is due by 11pm on Monday nights.  Late work is not accepted

This is a hybrid course.  Part of the instruction will be online and then we will meet as a class on the following Tuesday’s in the Allied Health Building Room 139 on West Campus:

  • Thursday, June 7, 1pm-4pm
  • Thursday, June 14, 1pm-4pm
  • Thursday, July 12, 1pm-4pm
  • Thursday, July 19, 1pm-4pm --  Professional Portfolio Due

Week/Module/Dates

Readings/Homework/Assignments

Week 1

Module1

Due June 11

Welcome to CDEC 1294 Special Topics in Advanced Child Care Practices!  During this course, you will be compiling your Professional Portfolio and you will be using the CDA Infant/Toddler or Preschool manual, depending on the age of children you teach.

This week....

  1. Purchase a notebook with 10 dividers or page protectors and take to class each time we meet.
  2. In the CDA Infant/Toddler or the CDA Preschool Booklet -- Read the Introduction, Overview and Part 1: Earning the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, Pages 1-34

Week 2

Module 2

Due June 11

This week…

  1. For your Professional Portfolio:
    1. Place the CDA Cover Sheet
    2. Complete Tab A
      1. Summary of My CDA Education
      2. Certificates, transcripts, and other documentation
    3. Complete Tab B:  Family Questionnaires
      1. Cover Sheet
      2. Completed Family Questionnaires
    4. Place all remaining tab dividers (Tab C-I) in Notebook
  2. Homework before next class
    1. Complete the Resource Collection Item I-3 weekly plan on the template provided and upload in the drop box below.
    2. Complete the Resource Collection II 1 thru 9 on the template provided and upload in the drop box below.
    3. Complete the Resource Collection III bibliography on the template provided and upload in the drop box below.
    4. In the CDA Infant/Toddler or the CDA Preschool Booklet – Read Part 2: The Child Development Associate (CDA) Competency Standards overview and Competency Standard I

Week 3

Module 3

Due June 18

This week…

  1. Complete Tab C -- 
    1. Write the Reflective Competency Statement I:  To establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment
      1. Begin your Reflective Statement about this Competency Standard with a paragraph describing how your teaching practices meet this Standard.
      2. Reflect on the sample menu.  How does it reflect your commitment to children's nutritional needs?  If you did not design it, what are its strengths and/or what would you change?
      3. Reflect on the room environment in which your visit will occur:  How does the room design reflect the way you believe young children learn best?  
      4. Additionally, reflect on and describe the similarities and differences between room environments designed for infants as compared to toddlers.
      5. Reflect on the weekly plan you included in your collection.  How does this plan reflect your philosophy of what young children need on a weekly basis.  How would you adapt this plan for use with each of the three age groups?
    2. Resource Collection Items
      1. RC I-1 --  1st Aid and CPR Certification
      2. RC I-2 --  Weekly Menu
      3. RC I-3 --  Weekly Lesson Plan that includes goals for
        1. Children’s learning and development
        2. Brief description of planned learning experiences
        3. Accommodations for children with special needs
        4. Age group indicated
  2. Complete Tab D -- 
    1. Write the Reflective Competency Statement II:  To advance physical and intellectual competence
      1. Begin your Reflective Statement about this Competency Standard with a paragraph describing how your teaching practices meet this Standard. (You may also choose to write one paragraph for each Functional Area, if this makes it easier to express your thoughts more clearly.)
      2. Pick one of the nine learning experiences you chose for your Resource Collection.  How does this experience reflect your philosophy of how to support young children's physical development?
      3. Pick another of the nine learning experience you chose for your Resource Collection.  How does this experience reflect your philosophy of how to support young children's cognitive development?
      4. Pick a third learning experience you chose for your Resource Collection.  How does this experience reflect your philosophy of how to support young children's creative development?
      5. In an additional paragraph, describe ways to promote the communication/language development among all children, including dual language learners.
    2. Resource Collection Items 
      1. RC II 1 thru RC II 9.  (the 9 learning experiences need to be completed on the template provided.)

Week 4

Module 4

Due July 2

This Week:

  1. In the CDA Infant/Toddler or the CDA Preschool Booklet -- Read Part 2: The Child Development Associate (CDA) Competency Standards overview and Competency Standard  III and IV.
  2. Complete Tab E
    1. Write the Reflective Competency Statement III: To support social and emotional development and to provide positive guidance
      1. Begin your Reflective Statement about this Competency Standard with a paragraph describing how your teaching practices meet this Standard. (You may also choose to write one paragraph for each Functional Area, if this makes it easier to express your thoughts more clearly.)
      2. Describe some of the ways you support the development of children's positive self concepts and growing social/emotional skills.
      3. Reflect on your philosophy of guiding young children's positive behaviors.  How is your professional philosophy similar or different from how you were guided as a child?  How do you constructively deal with young children's challenging behaviors?
    2. Resource Collection Items 
      1. RC III (the bibliography needs to be completed on the template provided.)
  3. Complete Tab F
    1. Write the Reflective Competency Statement IV:  To establish positive and productive relationships with families
      1. Begin your Reflective Statement about this Competency Standard with a paragraph describing how your teaching practices meet this Standard.
      2. How do you ensure that families are kept aware of what's happening in their child's daily/weekly life in your program?
      3. How do you ensure that you are aware of what's happening in each child's home life?  How does that awareness direct your teaching practices?  This paragraph will be completed after you receive the Family Questionnaires  --  before you apply for your CDA!
    2. Resource Collection Items
      1. RC IV-1 --  Family Counseling
      2. RC IV-2 --  Translation Service and ASL Translation
        1. http://clas.uiuc.edu/
        2. Babies on the web --  Bebes en la Web
        3. Early Start Online Library
        4. The Magic of Everyday Moments
        5. Migrant Head Start --  Disabilities Services Quality Improvement Center
        6. The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
        7. Parents Helping Parents INC --  Padres Ayudando a Padres
        8. UNICEF
      3. RC IV-3 --  Disability Services
      4. RC IV-4 --  Websites and Articles on Child Guidance and Development of Learning
   

Week 5

Module 5

Due July 9

This Week:

  1. In the CDA Infant/Toddler or the CDA Preschool Booklet -- Read Part 2: The Child Development Associate (CDA) Competency Standards overview and Competency Standard V and VI.
  2. Complete Tab G
    1. Write the Reflective Competency Statement V:  To Ensure a well-run, purposeful program that is responsive to participant needs
      1. Begin your reflective statement about this competency standard with a paragraph describing how your teaching practices meet this standard.
      2. Then write at least one paragraph that describes how you used the observation tool/form you included in the Resource Collection.  
      3. Why are observation and documentation important parts of program management?
      4. How do you ensure that you are accurately/objectively observing and tracking each child's developmental and learning progress?
    2. Resource Collection Items
      1. RCV --  Three samples of Record Keeping Forms
        1. Accident Report form
        2. Emergency Form
        3. Completed form of a child’s developmental and learning progress
  3. Complete Tab H
  4. Write the Reflective Competency Statement VI:  To maintain a commitment to professionalism
    1. Begin your reflective statement about this competency standard with a paragraph describing how your teaching practices meet this standard.
    2. Reflect on why you chose to become an early childhood professional
    3. Reflect on what you believe are the most important indicators of professionalism that you possess.
  5. Resource Collection Items
    1. RC VI-1 --  State Agency responsible for regulation of child care centers 
      1. http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/
    2. RC VI-2 --  Early Childhood Associations (national, regional, state, and/or local)
      1. http://www.naeyc.org/ National Association for the Education of Young Children
      2. www.tecec.org --  Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition
      3. http://paeyc.com/ --  Panhandle Association for the Education of Young Children
      4. http://www.nhsa.org/ National Headstart Association
      5. http://www.nafcc.org/ National Association for Family Child Care
      6. http://www.southernearlychildhood.org/  SECA --  Southern Early Childhood Association 
    3. RC VI-3 --  Legal Requirements regarding child abuse and neglect with Mandatory Reporting Guidelines

Week 6-8

Module 6

Due July 19

This Week:

  1. Complete Tab I
    1. Write the Professional Philosophy Statement
      1. The statement should be no more than 2 pages in length.
      2. Summarize your professional beliefs and values about early childhood education
      3. Identify your personal values and beliefs around teaching and learning
      4. How do you believe young children learn?
        1. Based on this, what do you believe your role is?
      5. Beyond teaching and learning, reflect and write about what you believe are the other important aspects of your role in the lives of children and families.
  2. Download and fill out the Final Exam Review found online. 
  3. Your Professional Portfolio is due and the final exam will be given in the last class.

Additional Information

We have had several questions about student tutorials for Blackboard, so I want to make everyone aware of what is available:

1.     There is a link to a CTL Webpage of Student Resources on the AC Connect Portal Homepage under Announcements.

2.     There is a tab in Blackboard that is available to students and is called “Student Tools”in the upper right-hand corner of the Blackboard page.

Please view the following video for information and visuals on how to access these resources:

http://screencast.com/t/mlEwBH4f4ah2

Syllabus Created on:

05/10/18 1:55 PM

Last Edited on:

05/10/18 5:25 PM