PCC 440 EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PRACTICUM II
Spring 2012: 8 credit hours
Time and Days: Individually Assigned
Instructor: Dr. LaShelle Edmerson
CINCINNATI CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Cincinnati Christian University is to teach men and women to live by biblical principles and to equip and empower them with character, skills, insight, and vision to lead the church and to impact society for Christ.
Office: WM 132 Home Phone: (859) 384-8631; cell 859-802-8175
Office Hours: Mondays 12-3:00; Friday 12-2:00 Office email: Office: 513-244-8626
Course Description
A field experience featuring participation in an early childhood program under the supervision of an experienced early childhood educator.
Course Goals & Objectives
You will begin to develop the following skills:
Observing children and stimulating development in all areas through appropriate interactions
Implementing curriculum planned by the supervising teacher
Guiding children using positive guidance techniques
Working as a team member
Developing professionalism
Developing an understanding of families from a variety of cultural backgrounds and children with special needs
Developing a positive attitude toward the field of early childhood education
Students completing the practicum experience will be able to plan and implement curricular activities which are developmentally appropriate, collect data on students through the use of anecdotal records, and demonstrate professional behavior in the early childhood classroom.
Course Requirements
PRE-PRACTICUM PAPERWORK
Before entering the classroom, you must turn in the following completed forms to Dr. Edmerson:
Copy of high school diploma
3 References
Medical Statement (check with school)
Fingerprint card
Child day care convictions statement
On the first day of practicum, give the following papers to your supervising teacher:
Student information sheet
Two evaluation sheets
CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE
You will spend 3 hours a day, 5 days a week with your supervising teacher. You are expected to be at the center during your regularly assigned hours unless you have an emergency situation or become ill. You can miss three days of practicum for illness oremergencies without having to make up the missed days. If you miss more than 3 days, you must make up any days over and above the 3 excused days during the week of Finals.If you are going to miss practicum because of illness or an emergency, call the center and tell them you will be absent, then call Dr. Edmerson at 244-8626 and leave her a message concerning the reason for your absence. Make these calls as soon as you know you won’t be able to attend practicum that day. If you need to miss for more than one day, call the center and every morning you are absent. Chronic tardiness demonstrates a lack of responsibility and professionalism that will be reflected in your final grade.
If the center is closed, you will not report to the practicum site.
WEEKLY MEETINGS WITH SUPERVISING TEACHER
On your first day of practicum, arrange to meet with your supervising teacher at a scheduled time, once a week, for at least 15 minutes. Please make sure this is a convenient time for them. During your scheduled meetings, be proactive; ask questions, share observations, and seek suggestions and advice. Be aware, though, that sometimes your supervising teacher will be unable to meet with you due to circumstances beyond her control. Try to reschedule canceled meetings for another time during the week, but be flexible if rescheduling cannot be arranged.
OBSERVATION AND EVALUATION OF STUDENT
Dr. Edmerson will observe you four times during the semester. Other visits will be arranged as needed. If possible, you and Dr. Edmerson will meet directly after your observation. If not, another meeting time will be arranged. Your supervising teacher will be welcome in this meeting if her schedule permits her to attend.
At the mid-point and end of the semester, you and your supervising teacher will complete a check sheet and meet to discuss your progress. These check sheets and meetings must be completed by the end of your 8thweek of school and the end of your last week in the field.. Turn in your completed check sheets to Dr. Edmerson. Your final conference may be a three-way conference with you, your supervising teacher, and Dr. Edmerson.
If on the day you are to be observed you become ill, call Dr. Edmerson (859-384-8631 244-8626) before 8:00 am and leave her a message saying that you will not be at the center.
JOURNAL
A written journal should be kept of your preschool experience. You will be expected to write a response to the “journal topics” in your syllabus. We will share and discuss your responses at our seminars.
ANECDOTAL RECORDS
You must identify two children to observe during the 10th, 11th and 12thweeks of your practicum. Write at least 5 anecdotal records per week regarding these children. Dr. Edmerson will give you the appropriate form and format. Include observations in the areas of physical, cognitive and socio-emotional development. Your observations should inform you about the child’s development. These are not just too record “cute” or “funny” incidents. The observations should be systematic and aimed at answering specific questions you have about a student’s strengths and weaknesses. Turn these in each week along with your journal. After I return form give your observations to your supervising teacher for her/his records.
PLANNING ACTIVITIES
You must plan and implement four (4) activities for a class or child during the semester. You may only plan a lesson for one child, one time. Your activities must includean activity from the core curriculum: reading, math, social studies, or science and a multicultural activity. Your activity plans must be completed in the format provided and approved by your supervising teacher before implementation in the classroom. Talk with your supervising teacher about the activities he/she would like to see you do. If you need suggestions, I will gladly work with you.Following each activity, you need to write a one page summary of the activity and the outcome. You must attach a copy of your plans and a copy (copies) of student work, it you wish.
1st activity completed by Feb.
2nd activity completed by March
3rd activity completed by April
4th activity completed by May
Other Important Information:
YOUR ROLE IN THE CLASSROOM
During your practicum, you should take an active role in the classroom. Of course you will be observing the teacher and children, but you should do your observing as you interact with the children and practice your teaching skills. You may want to view yourself as a teacher’s aide, an integral part of the teaching team who always works under the guidance of the classroom teachers.
As you interact with the teachers, work on your communication and teamwork skills. Ask questions if you are unsure of the routine, and follow the example of the teachers in your interactions with the children.
PROFESSIONALISM
Professionalism as a Christian early childhood educator requires that you treat your supervising teacher, other teachers, administrator, and children with respect. As a professional, you will be expected to be prompt and responsible, to work hard, and to learn as much as possible from your classroom experiences. Although professional conduct does not require that you agree with your supervising teacher in all areas, it does require that you ask questions in a respectful manner and honor the requests of the teacher while you are in her classroom.
Always keep in mind that you are a representative of CCU, its early childhood program, and Christ. Your actions reflect not only on yourself, but also on your college and your relationship with God.
PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE
You must dress professionally every day of your practicum. There should be nothing in your personal appearance that will cause your supervising teacher, parents, children or other people that work with you on a day to day basis alarm or concern. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE MULTIPLE WARNINGS.
Always keep in mind that you are a representative of CCU, its early childhood program, and Christ. Your appearance and actions reflect not only on yourself but also on CCU and your relationship with God.
SEMINAR
Seminars will be held on predetermined days. All seminars will be in Dr. Edmerson’s office, WM 132. All paperwork for your practicum is due on or before that designated date and time.Seminars are roundtable discussions addressing your classroom experiences.
4. Evaluation:
Points:
Practicum 500
Journal responses100
Anecdotal Records100
Activities (4)200
Articles/summary (25x2) 50
Pre-practicum paperwork25
975
5. Choose two articles from the list below and write a one page summary of each. These will be discussed at seminar:
- early childhood teaching environments
- multicultural issues in the early childhood classroom
- working with families of early childhood children
- curriculum and early childhood
- guidance techniques for early childhood children
- classroom settings and early childhood learning environment
- effective teaching strategies for the early childhood classroom
DOCUMENTATION BOARD:
All students in the Practicum I & II classes will create an individual documentation board. This “bulletin” board will be displayed somewhere in the IRC area. It will have pictures activities you are doing with the children. You will need to talk to your supervising teacher about the procedure(s) that will need to be followed to take pictures of the children. The pictures will be returned to you at the end of the semester.
Assignments not completed to an acceptable level will be returned to the student. The unacceptable assignment must be revised within one week and returned to professor in order to receive credit.
This is a class and should be treated as such. It is extremely important that you do your best work for this assignment. Your eight hour grade will greatly influence your GPA.
Planning Guide and Assignments
2012
Date / Seminar Dates & Other Info. / Assignment / Journal QuestionsWeek 1
1/16
Seminar #1
TBD / Contact teacher and visit school, set up weekly meetings w/your supervising teacher / Begin journal entries / Note: All paperwork should be completed by this time. You are not allowed to start your practicum until all paperwork is complete and submitted.
Week 2
1/23 / Begin your practicum / How do you feel about your placement: Is this what you expected? Is this a multicultural environment?
Week 3
1/30 / What are you learning from your placement?
Week 4
2/6 / What strategies are you using to build relationships with the children? Are the strategies effective
Week 5
2/13 / What strategies are you using to build a relationship with your supervising teacher? Are these strategies effective?
Week 6
2/20 / Describe interactions you have had with any family members. What interaction does your supervising teacher have with parents? Relate what you observe to the ideas presented in Ch. 8.
Week 7
2/27 / Describe the curriculum used in your setting. What themes are studied? How does the teacher identify appropriate activities?
SPRING BREAK: MARCH 5-9, 2012
Week 8
3/12 / Midterm Evaluation / What guidance techniques and strategies does your supervising teacher use in the classroom? Are they effective? Explain.
Week 9
3/19 / Describe the classroom schedule and room arrangement. What do you like/dislike about the schedule and/or room arrangement? Why?
Week 10
3/26 / Seminar
#2
TBD / Anecdotal Records #1 / Which children are you most attracted and least attracted to? Why do you think
you are drawn to certain children and avoid others? What could you do to form
a more positive relationship with the children you are least attracted to?
Week 11
4/2 / Anecdotal Records #2 / Which aspects of the program as a whole do you like? Which aspects do you dislike? Explain
Week 12
4/9 / Anecdotal Records #3
All records due by
4/30/12 / What are the most effective techniques you have learned from your supervising teacher?
COMMUNITY SERVICE: APRIL 19, NO CLASSES
Week 13
4/16 / As a young child, did you experience any of the curriculum models described in Chapter 9?
Week 14
4/23 / Use this week to complete assignments
Week 15
4/30-5/4 / Seminar
#3
TBD / Evaluation Checklist due / Reflect back over the semester. What would you change about your experience and what would you want to remain the same?
Finals week: May 7-9. 2012
Please review and abide by Cincinnati Christian University’s policy on plagiarism.
American with Disabilities Act Statement
Students who require academic accommodations due to any documented physical, psychological or learning disability should request assistance from the Academic Support Director within the first two weeks of class. The Academic Support Office is located in the Lower Level of the Worship and Ministry Building (room 153). You may also contact the office by phone (244-8420).
The professor reserves the right to change anything in the course, including curriculum, schedule, assignments, and grading procedures.