Cincinnati Christian University

Cincinnati Christian University PCC 440 EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PRACTICUM II Fall 2009: 8 credit hours Time and Days: Individually Assigned Instructor: Dr. LaShelle Edmerson

Mission Statement Cincinnati Christian University: To teach men and women to live by biblical principles and to equip and empower them with skills, insight, and vision to lead the church and impact society for Christ.

Office: Rine Hall Home Phone: (859) 384-8631; cell 859-802-8175 Office Hours: Mon.-Wed. 1:2:00; Office email: [email protected] Thursdays 3:10-4:10; Fridays by appointment 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 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 (or a total of 15 hours) 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 or emergencies 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. 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 three times during the semester. It is your responsibility to confirm these appointments. If possible, you and Dr. Edmerson will meet directly after your observation. Your supervising teacher will be welcome in this meeting if her schedule permits her to attend.

At the mid-point and at the 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 8th week 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 weekly response including the “journal topics” in your syllabus. We will share and discuss your responses at our seminars.

ANECDOTAL RECORDS During the 10th and 12th weeks of your practicum, you must identify two children to observe. Write at least 5 anecdotal records per week, per child in the correct format that Dr. Edmerson has given you. 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. A copy of your records should be give to your supervising teacher. DOCUMENTATION BOARD:

All students in the Practicum I & II classes will create an individual documentation board. This documentation board will be displayed in various places in the IRC area. It should have pictures of you and the children engaged in various activities. 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.

PLANNING ACTIVITIES You must plan and implement 4 activities for a child or class during the semester. Your activities must include an 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 9/14 2nd activity completed by 10/26 3rd activity completed by 11/16 4th activity completed by 11/30

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.

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. All of your body parts should be sufficiently and appropriately covered. Non-compliance to this could result in failure of the class or a need to repeat the class at another time. 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 A Friday morning seminar will be held from 10:00-12:00 on the first Friday of the term, 8/28/09 in Rine Hall. The other dates are listed in your planning guide. All paperwork for your practicum is due on or before that Friday. There will be at least three seminar sessions during the semester. This is a round-table discussion of the classroom experience. You might need to leave your practicum early to attend. We will schedule other seminars as needed.

4. Evaluation:

Points: Practicum 500 Journal responses 100 Anecdotal Records 50 Activities (4) 250 Articles/Summaries 50 (25 X 2) Pre-practicum paperwork 25 975

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

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 Fall 2009 Date Seminar Dates Assignment Journal Questions & Other Info.

Week 1 Start You should have already Note: All paperwork should be completed by 8/24 practicum contacted and visited your this time. You are not allowed to start your supervising teacher. practicum until all paperwork is complete and 1st seminar: submitted. Fri., Aug 28th from 10- 12:00/Rine Hall Week 2 Begin journal entries How do you feel about your placement: Is this what 8/31 you expected? Is this a multicultural environment?

Week 3 What are you learning from the environment at your 9/7 placement?

Week 4 Activity #1 reflection What strategies are you using to build relationships 9/14 due the day after your with the children? Are the strategies effective lesson Week 5 What strategies are you using to build a relationship 9/21 with your supervising teacher? Are these strategies effective?

Describe interactions you have had with any family Week 6 members. What interaction does your supervising 9/28 teacher have with parents?

Week 7 Describe the curriculum used in your setting. What 10/5 themes are studied? How does the teacher identify appropriate activities?

FALL BREAK: OCTOBER 8-11, 2009 Week 8 Midterm Evaluation What guidance techniques and strategies does your 10/12 due supervising teacher use in the classroom? Are they by 10/16 effective? Explain. Activity #2 reflection due next day Week 9 2nd Describe the classroom schedule and room arrangement. 10/19 Seminar What do you like/dislike about the schedule and/or room 10:00 arrangement? Why? Rine Hall 10/23/09

Week 10 Anecdotal Records #1 Which children are you most attracted and least attracted 10/26 due by 10/26 to? Why do Activity #2 reflection you think you are drawn to certain children and avoid due others? What could next day you do to form a more positive relationship with the children you are least attracted to? Week 11 Which aspects of the program as a whole do you like? 11/2 Which aspects do you dislike? Explain

Week 12 What are the most effective techniques you have learned 11/9 from your supervising teacher?

3rd Week 13 Seminar Activity #3 reflection As a young child, did you experience any of the 11/16 10:00 due next day curriculum models described in Chapter 9? 11/20/09

Week 14 11/23 THANKSGIVING BREAK/November 23-29, 2009

Week 15 Activity #4 Reflect back over the semester. What would you change 11/30 reflection due the about your experience and what would you want to next day remain the same?

All assignments should be submitted in a two-pocket folder. One side of the folder should have your typed journal responses and the other side should have all other paperwork. This information is due by Friday, May 8th. Week 16 Final Evaluation Final submission day for all assignments is Friday, 12/7 Checklist due today Dec. 11th.

Finals week: December 14-17, 2009

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.