Educating Young Children Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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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.

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Course

TECA-1311-002 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. Course content must be aligned as applicable with State Board for Educator Certification Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities standards and coincide with the national Assessment of Education Progress position statement related to developmentally appropriate practices for children from birth through age eight. Requires students to participate in field experiences with children from infancy through age 12 in a variety of settings with varied and diverse populations; and the course includes a minimum of 16 hours of field experiences.

Student ResourcesStudent 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:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact 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

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

1.  Beginnings & Beyond: Gordon/Williams/Browne ISBN-13: 9781305500969 (The Book)

2.  MindTap:  4 month Cengage Unlimited Access Card ISBN# 9780357700037

Click to Access AC Bookstore

Supplies

• Computer/laptop with Internet access to Blackboard Learning

• Beginnings & Beyond Book and Mindtap Access Code

• Personal comprehension tools (highlighters, pencil, paper, pens, computer, etc)

Student Performance

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

Identify the features of a quality developmentally appropriate program for young children.

Explain contributions of historical and contemporary professionals and theorists to the field of early childhood education.

Analyze various early childhood programs and curricular models that have influenced practice.

Describe current and future trends and issues in the field of education.

Apply classroom observation and assessment skills to identify developmentally appropriate programs in diverse early childhood educational settings.

Describe and adhere to professional code of legal and ethical requirements for educators.

(Aligned with TEA - Early Childhood Educator Standards)

• Competency 001 (Foundations of Child Development): Understand foundational concepts of early childhood development from birth to age 8 and factors that influence student development. 

• Competency 002 (The Early Learning Process): Understand the developmental processes and characteristics of learning of young children from birth to age 8. 

• Competency 003 (Family Engagement): Understand the role and importance of the family in supporting the learning and development of young children from prekindergarten to grade 3 
   
• Competency 004 (Social Skills, Emotional Development, and Behavior Support): Understand how to create positive environments and relationships that help develop interpersonal skills, autonomy, and initiative to explore and learn in young children from prekindergarten to grade 3. 
   
• Competency 005 (The Instructional Setting): Understand how to create positive learning environments that promote the development and learning of young children in prekindergarten to grade 3. 

• Competency 006 (Differentiation Strategies in Planning and Practice): Understand how to identify and implement developmentally appropriate strategies and practices to effectively teach and engage young children from prekindergarten to grade 3. 

• Competency 007 (Culturally Responsive Practices): Understand how to identify and implement culturally responsive, developmentally appropriate practices to effectively teach and engage young children from prekindergarten to grade 3 across all content areas. 

• Competency 008 (Developmentally Appropriate Assessment and Practice): Understand the types, selection, and uses of developmentally appropriate assessments and assessment practices to effectively support young children's learning in prekindergarten to grade 3. 

• Competency 009 (Progress Monitoring and Data-Driven Instructional Practice): Understand how to design, implement, and evaluate learning experiences and instruction in order to promote development and learning of all students in prekindergarten to grade 3. 

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

• Active Learner:  Take part in the course regardless of setting.

• Proactive:  Be proactive to situations that occur rather than reactive.  Please promptly let me know if you have any questions or concerns. 

• Have Integrity:  Work honestly for your own benefit.

• Be Punctual: Turn in assignments on or before due dates.  

• When Observing:  Wear some form of identification.  You represent Amarillo College and yourself, be professional.  Dress professionally.  Be gracious to the educators allowing you time to observe in their classroom.  

Grading Criteria

All assignments are valued, therefore equally calculated.  

NOTE:  The 16 Hour observation is required to pass the course.

Grading Scale

• A =100-90

• B = 89-80

• C = 79-70

• D = 69-65

• F =  64-0

Attendance

Your attendance on Mondays and Wednesdays is vital to your success in this course.  

Our classes will be interactive and engaging.  

Attendance will be taken each class period.

Calendar

Additional Information

REMINDER:  You are required to participate in 16 hours of Observation Experience with children from birth - 12 in a variety of settings with varied and diverse populations.  This is a state mandated requirement.  You cannot pass this course without completing the 16 hours.