Family Dynamic/Community Involvement and Parent Education
ECED 2040 Syllabus
Fall 2003 Semester
Course Description: This course deals with the role of the family and community in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional needs of the child in a diverse society. The areas of professionalism, program management, advocacy, family structure and development will all be addressed. Lecture, discussion, small group and individual activities, textbook readings, and field experience assignments will all be required.
Instructor: Kathy Mattson
Phone Messages: 931-526-7091
E-Mail:
kathymatt@frontiernet.net
Textbook: Gestwicki, Carol (2000). Home, School, and Community Relations: A Guide to Working With Families. 4th edition. New York. Delmar Thomas Learning. ISBN 0-7668-0356-2.
Objectives: The general educational goal of this course is to allow students the opportunity to develop an awareness of family diversity and the nature of modern families. The students will develop attitudes and practices that promote positive relationships with families. They will also develop an understanding and the skills necessary to ensure a well-run, purposeful program is responsive to child and family needs.
Other Goals: This course also seeks to provide opportunities to apply problem solving skills to life situations. The course additionally provides an opportunity for further development of oral and written communication skills in order to enhance a professional mind-set and appearance.
Major Course Requirements:
1. Textbook readings- Reading the text is essential for this class. Groups will answers questions pertaining to the chapter assigned for each week. Grades from these questions will be combined and go towards the mid-term and final-exam grades.
2. Journal- This will be compiled as the course occurs with entries to be added as instructed. A portion of this notebook will be the response journal which will be assigned periodically throughout the semester on related topics. A topic list is attached at the end of the syllabus.
3. Group Projects- The group will collaborate on a wide variety of subjects to be assigned during class meetings, along with the guidelines and date of completion.
4. Field Work- Criteria includes:
*Four hours in an early childhood classroom
If you are currently teaching or assisting in a facility, you are strongly encouraged to carry out this field work within the setting you are currently serving. If anyone does not have a site they can access, please advise the instructor within the first two weeks of class.
5. Class attendance and Participation
6. Exams.
7. Group Presentation/Exams
Methods of Assessment:
1. Exams- Exams will be over lectures, textbook reading, and classroom discussion. Exams may include all or any combination of short essays, matching, listing, multiple choice, and true/false.
2. Field Work & Projects- Criteria explained above.
3. Group Activities/Assignments/Attendance/& Participation- Assignments will be given during class meetings along with the guidelines and the date of completion. If you miss any class meeting, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor to make arrangements for the next class. Make up work is due on the following week.
Excessive absences will dramatically reduce your grade. Please reserve absences for unusual circumstances.
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4. Journal- A response journal will be compiled as the course occurs, with entries added as instructed. Topics will be assigned throughout the semester on related topics.
Note: Spelling and grammar will be taken into consideration in all examinations and assignments. Misspelled words, incorrect grammar, and messy assignments will be penalized.
Late Work Five points will be taken off the final grade for every week that assignments are turned in late.
Grading System:
780-675 points = A
674-607 points = B
606-546 points = C
545-491 points = D
490-0 points = F
The mark of “I” indicates that the student has not completed the requirements for the course due to an unavoidable circumstance that is acceptable to the instructor. If the “I’ is not completed by one week before the first day of the final exams for the next semester, the “I” becomes an “F, on the student’s record.
*It is the intent of Volunteer State Community College to fully comply with Executive Order 11246, as amended, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, as amended, and all regulations implementing those laws and orders, for the promotion and ensuring of equal opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or status as a qualified disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era. It is the intent of VSCC to be free of discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, or physical appearance. It is the intent of VSCC fully comply with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, and the CRA of 1991, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended, the Age discrimination in Employment Act of 1976, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Pregnancy Discrimination
Act and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicable state status and all regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
Aug. 26 Introductions, Syllabus
Sept. 2 Chapter 1: Families Today
Chapter 2: Parenting
9) Chapter 3: A Day With Two Families: Diversity of Experience
16) Chapter 4: Exploring Parent Involvement
*Bring materials to make Parent Bulletin Boards- These will be made in class, and a verbal presentation will be given.
23) Chapter 5: Benefits for Teacher-Family Relationships
30)Chapter 6: Potential Barriers for Teacher-Family Partnerships
Chapter 7: Foundations of a Successful Partnership
*Journals are due.
*Oct. 7) Mid-Term Exam
*Parent Newsletter and Presentation Due
14) Fall Break - No Class
21) Chapter 8: At the Beginning With Parents and Children
Chapter 9: Informal Communication with Parents
28) Chapter 10: Parent-Teacher Conferences
Nov. 4) Chapter 11: Home Visits With Parents and Children
*Parent Event at the Center and Presentation Due
11 )Chapter 12: Parents in a Classroom
*Parent Conference Forms and Presentation Due
18) Chapter 13: Parents in Meetings
Chapter 14: Teachers and Parents in the Community
25) Chapter 15: Working With Families from Diverse Backgrounds
*Journals and Field Work are due.
Dec. 2) Chapter 16: Working With Parents in Particular Circumstances
Chapter 17: Working to Resolve Troublesome Altitudes and Behaviors
Dec. 9) Final Exam/Group Presentations
*The instructor reserves the right to change the classroom syllabus as deemed necessary.
Projects
Journal (along with Group Activities/Assignments/Attendance/& Participation): 100 pts.
*A response journal will be compiled as the course occurs, with entries added as instructed. Topics will be assigned throughout the semester on related topics. Effort, thought, neatness, spelling, and grammar will all count towards total points.
Parent Conference Forms and Procedure: 100 pts.
* Develop parent conference forms and write up your procedures for parent conferences.
* Forms must include letter of invitation to parents, documentation of development, goals for child, and summary of meeting.
* Procedures must include preparation, holding the conference, after the conference, and follow-up
* Verbal presentation of description of procedures will be given in class.
Parent Newsletter: 100 pts
* Develop parent newsletter at least 3 typed pages.
* Include information on curriculum, classroom and community happenings.
* Verbal presentation describing the newsletter
Parent Bulletin Board: 100 pts
* Develop a parent bulletin board to be used in your classroom. This will be done in class.
* Include pictures of classroom, field trips, etc.
* Give verbal presentation to class on the contents and values for parents.
Parent Event at the Center: 100 pts
* Plan a parent event for a child care program, using invitations or announcements, etc.
* Give verbal presentation of your plans.
Field Work: 50 pts.
Exams/Group Presentation: 200 pts.