Learning Environments 366

Provides a study of early childhood organization, plans, procedures, physical facilities and a survey of materials and equipment. Develops a process of designing and evaluating appropriate learning environments for young children. (3 hours)

Kostelink, M.J., Soderman, A.K., & Whiren, A.P. (2004). Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum: Best Practices in Early Childhood Education (3^rd. ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.

Scissors, markers, tape, and glue.

1. To clarify developmentally appropriate principles and practices of early childhood education

2. To identify behavioral characteristics of young children to meet individual, developmental, and diverse needs

3. To equip and supply an early childhood classroom

4. To plan and organize a child centered environment

5. To examine and evaluate early childhood learning centers

6. To develop an appropriate ECE management system

7. To build communication skills with parents & paraprofessionals

8. To associate ECE ExCET/TExES competencies with course content

001 The teacher understands human development processes and applies this knowledge to plan instruction and ongoing assessment that motivates students and are responsive to their developmental characteristics and needs.

003 The teacher understands procedures for designing effective and coherent instruction and assessment based on appropriate learning goals and objectives.

005 The teacher knows how to establish a classroom climate that fosters learning, equity, and excellence and uses this knowledge to create a physical and emotional environment that is safe and productive.

006 The teacher understands strategies for creating an organized and productive learning environment and for managing student behavior.

.Course Evaluation:

Based on all grades and attendance and professionalism.

There are a total of 350 points available for this course.

350-318 A

317-285 B

284-252 C

251-219 D

218 Below F

Course Policies and Procedures

Attendance: Attendance at all class meetings is required and is essential to your success in this course. It is a requirement of this class to sign your name tent upon your arrival to document your participation each class; it is your responsibility to remember to do so. For each absence, 5 points will be deducted from the final grade. Participants are expected to be on time and to actively engage in discussions. (Your participation may impact your grade, particularly if you are on the borderline of a grade.) In the event of an emergency and a missed class, you are responsible for obtaining class materials/assignments/notes from one of your peers; I will not bring additional copies of handouts from previous classes. Please notify me if you anticipate an absence. Select a buddy, and exchange telephone numbers and email addresses with him or her. In the event of your buddy’s absence, please pick up extra handouts. If you are absent, you are responsible for contacting your buddy, getting the assignment, and completing it before you return to the next class. I will not bring materials back to class.

Cell Phones/Beepers: Please respect the instructor and your peers by turning off or silencing your cell phones and beepers upon entering our classroom, unless you have notified me at the beginning of class that you have a critical family situation about which you must be notified. This should constitute only emergencies.

Assignment Due Dates: All assignments or presentations are due on the date specified. One letter grade will be deducted from the assignment for each day that it is late. If you do not have it in class, one letter grade will be deducted. As a professional you must be responsible for your work. No work will be accepted after the final exam has been given.

Written Assignments: All written assignments are to be typed double-spaced in a legible 12 pt. font with 1" margins and are expected to exhibit professional quality. You should demonstrate mastery of organizing, structuring, and editing (for all aspects of mechanics) in your writing. Excessive grammar, spelling, and vocabulary errors will result in a reduction of your score at the instructor’s discretion. If you are unsure of your writing abilities, please visit the writing lab for help.

Plagiarism of writings: Plagiarism will result in a grade of "F" for the course and may result in your dismissal from the program. Plagiarism consists of copying directly from a source without siting the source or using someone else work and calling it your own. Please cite your references carefully and consistently.

Academic Support Statement: Requests from students with disabilities for reasonable accommodations must go through the Academic Support Committee. For more information, please contact the office of Advisement Services, BA 314, 903-886-5133.

Professionalism Component: You are expected to demonstrate a professional attitude at all times. An educator demonstrates his/her professionalism in ways such as being on time, attending all classes, participating in and contributing to class activities, accepting responsibility, completing assignments on time and in a quality fashion, and being on your consistent demonstration of professionalism during class and on your assignments, etc. The Professional Behavioral Standards Evaluation Form (points deducted from final grade) will be utilized at such time as it is warranted due to non-compliance with these expectations). "All students enrolled at the University shall follow the tenets of common decency and acceptable behavior conducive to a positive learning environment." (See Student’s Guide Handbook, Policies and Procedures, Conduct)

       3. Create an Activity Pack for sending traveling early childhood activities home to foster parent/child interactions. Sign-up for a children’s book and create a hands-on activity to extend the concepts introduced in the book include TEKS that are covered. (50 points)

4. Invent a board game that will teach some aspect of the early childhood curriculum and coordinate with the TEKS standards. This manipulative material is to be made for use as a center activity with a small group of children. Refer to your rubric for specifics. (50 pts)

5. Groups will present a chosen chapter on a developmental domain. The students will present the chapter and an activity to aide in the classes understanding. (50 points)

Weekly Assignments