Course Syllabus

ECED 2010

   Safe, Healthy, Learning Environments

Volunteer State Community College

Fall, 2004

 

 

Class Hours:           8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.  September 11/25; October 16;

 November 13/20; December 4/11

                                                                                     

Room:                       Ramer Building, Room 007

                                   

Credit Hours:          3

 

Instructor:                Jacqueline Jordan

 

Office Hours:           By appointment

 

Office Phone:          615-963-7239

Fax:                            615-963-7084

 

E-mail:                       jjordan@coe.tsuniv.edu

 

 

Required Texts:

Safety, Nutrition, and Health in Early Education, 2nd Edition, 2003, (Cathie Robertson), Delmar Publishers, ISBN 1-40181-255-4

 

The Creative Curriculum for Early Childhood, 1998 (Dodge & Colker). Teaching Strategies, ISBN: 1-879537-06-0

 

 

Description:

A study of the basic principles of good health as they relate to the child in the family, child care center or family childcare home, and community. Includes child nutrition, growth, disease and accident prevention, and safety. Also included is a study of principles of creating appropriate learning environments for young children. Laboratory observation and interaction. Prerequisite:  ECED 1010 or Department Approval

 

 

Objectives: 

Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

  1. provide a safe environment to prevent and reduce injuries.
  2. promote good health and nutrition practices in the early childhood classroom.
  3. establish an environment that contributes to the prevention of illness.
  4. use space and materials to construct an interesting and enjoyable environment that encourages play and exploration.
  5. use relationships and routines to construct a secure and growth-enhancing environment for children.

Major Content Areas:

 

 

 

Evaluation:

 

  1. Students will complete all reading assignments in textbook and journal articles.
  2. Students will complete all homework activities as assigned by the instructor.
  3. Students will complete two projects with children: Cooking and Prop Box.
  4. Students will complete one lab experience: Playground Inspection.
  5. Students will develop a list of 25 outdoor and/or gross motor activities for children.
  6. Students will complete two exams.

 

Grading Scale:

Grades reflect student progress in course content. Volunteer State Community College grades on a four-point system as follows:

90-100%  (450-500 pts.)                  =  A  (Superior)

80-89%    (400-449 pts.)                  =  B  (Excellent)

70-79%    (350-399 pts.)                  =  C  (Average)

60-69%    (300-349 pts.)                  =  D  (Passing, but below average)

0-59%      (    0-299 pts.)                   =  F  (Failure)

 

Grading Criteria:

 

  30 pts. (06%)           Reality Checks

  30 pts. (06%)           Playground Inspection Report

  40 pts. (08%)           Outdoor Activities File

  75 pts. (15%)           Dramatic Play Prop Box

  75 pts. (15%)           Cooking Project

  50 pts. (10%)           Quizzes, Homework, and In-class Assignments

200 pts. (40%)           Exams

                                   

Note:  Spelling and grammar will be taken into consideration in all assignments.  Points will be deducted for spelling errors, incorrect grammar, and messy assignments.  Always proofread your work prior to turning it in.

 

 

CLASS POLICIES

 

Class Procedures:

The class will be a mixture of lecture, discussion, in-class activities and class participation. The instructor will make every effort to work with students, but each student is expected to read assignments before class, pay attention, participate in class, and put effort into assignments. 

 

Attendance/Participation Policy:

  1. Each student is expected to be on time, attend all scheduled classes, and stay for the entire class session.
  2. Any student who has more than three (3) absences will receive a grade of “WF” for the term. (Each Saturday class counts as two classes.) Coming to class late (after the instructor has taken attendance) and/or leaving early (before the instructor dismisses the class) counts as a tardy. Three (3) tardies count as one (1) absence.
  3. The “WF” (administrative withdrawal) grade will be submitted immediately after the student has more than three absences. The “WF” grade will not be changed after it has been assigned. (A grade of “WF” affects the student’s GPA and financial aid.)
  4. Any student who is absent is responsible for the content of the class missed and any assignments given. The student is encouraged to get notes and information missed from another student in the class or contact the instructor. Any handouts will be placed in the student’s folder.
  5. In-class assignments, homework, and quizzes cannot be made up.

6.      The instructor’s grade book serves as the official record for grades and attendance.

 

Late Assignments:

Points will be deducted for assignments turned in late. Any assignment is late if not turned in during the class period in which it was due. Any assignment submitted after the instructor takes up the assignments will be treated as late work. Ten percent (10% of the total points for the assignment) will be deducted for an assignment not turned in on the due date.

 

Neatness and Legibility

Spelling, punctuation, grammar, and legibility will be taken into consideration in grading all assignments. Assignments should reflect college-level work. Any assignment turned in that is not typed (or neatly written) or has numerous grammatical and/or spelling errors will be returned to the student ungraded. The student will need to resubmit the assignment, but will receive a reduction in points (see policy for assignments not turned in on the due date).

 

Exams:

Exam dates are listed on the course outline. Each student is expected to take the exam on the exam date and to be on time for the exam. Any student who cannot be in attendance on the exam day must make arrangements with the instructor to make up the exam.

 

Cheating and Plagiarism:

Plagiarism and cheating are violations of the VSCC Student Code of Conduct. Any assignment or test that involves plagiarism or cheating will receive 0 points.

 

Questions about Graded Assignments:

There will be no discussion of the grade on any student’s assignment or exam during class time. If a student would like to discuss a grade on an assignment or exam, that student must see the instructor after class to discuss the assignment briefly or make an appointment.

 

Grading Policy for Early Childhood Majors:

A grade of C or above must be earned in all early childhood courses prior to graduation.  The student majoring in ECED must receive a C or above in this class in order to meet prerequisite requirements for subsequent classes.

 

Appointments for Assistance:

Any student who is attending class regularly, taking notes, and reading the text but still not performing well on exams, projects, or assignments should make an appointment with the instructor.

 

Cellular Telephone/Pager Policy:

The use of cellular telephones and pagers in the classroom is prohibited at Nashville State Community College. 

 

Children in Class:

It is the policy of Nashville State Community College that students may not bring children into instructional settings such as classrooms, labs, or the Learning Center.

  

Student Conduct:

Each student should refer to the Nashville State Student Handbook 2003-2004 for guidelines for student conduct. Any behavior which the instructor considers to be disruptive to the classroom and its learning environment creates grounds by which a student may be dismissed from class. Such conduct would include, but not be limited to:  talking during class while the instructor and/or another student is addressing the class, repeatedly being late to class or returning late from breaks, sleeping in class, and making inappropriate and/or irrelevant comments in class.

  

Accommodations:

Volunteer State complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Consult with the office of Student Disability Services. If you need any accommodation(s) for this class, notify the instructor by the second class meeting.


ECED 2010  Safe, Healthy, Learning Environments -  Fall, 2004  

 

Jacqueline Jordan, Instructor

 

 

My signature below indicates that I have read the entire syllabus and understand its contents. I agree to abide by the class policies set forth for the course and will be held accountable to such policies.

 

 

Student___________________________________  

 

Date______________________


 

 Playground Inspection Report

Due October 16

 

Instructions:    

·        Complete Playground Safety Checklist and Maintenance Checklist on your playground or a playground nearby

·        Summarize your findings in a written report.  Include:

o       Name and location of playground, ages designed for, date of inspection, etc.

o       Strengths of the playground (why are these important to children)

o       Weaknesses (things which need improving)

o       Hazards (things which must be taken care of immediately)

o       Goals for improving the playground safety and environment

o       Ideas/suggestions for portable equipment and/or materials that can be taken outside for children to play with (at least 10)

·        Turn in your inspection checklist and written report

 

Grading Criteria (25 points)

 

Date Project Turned In________

 

____ 2 pts.     Written Report is at least 2 pages and includes date of inspection.

                        Inspection Checklist is attached

 

____ 3 pts.     Content reflects a thorough and extensive inspection

 

____ 5 pts.     Content includes strengths of playground

 

____ 5 pts.     Content includes weaknesses and any hazards of the playground

                       

____ 5 pts.     Content includes goals for improving the safety and environment of the

                        playground

 

____ 5 pts.     Content includes ideas/suggestions for portable equipment and/or

                        materials that can be taken outside for children to play with (at least 10)

 

____ 5 pts.     Assignment is well-organized and typed with no spelling, grammar,

                        punctuation, or sentence structure errors

 

 

____  (30) Total Points

 


Prop Box Project

Activity Plan Due November 13, Project Due December 4

Instructions:

Develop a prop box on one particular theme in dramatic play. Write an activity plan on how to use the prop box with children. Use the format given in class. Use the prop box with children prior to turning in this assignment. Write at least a three-page report on what you learned about child development and dramatic play with young children. Be prepared to share your prop box with the class.

  

Grading Criteria (75 points)

 

Date Activity Plan Turned In________       Date Project Completed____________

 

____   5 pts.  Topic is appropriate and will interest young children. Prop box

                        encourages dramatic play, socialization, literacy skills, exploration,

                        experimentation, and discovery

 

____ 15 pts.  Prop Box includes a variety of appropriate materials that support

emergent literacy

 

____ 10 pts.  Prop Box includes appropriate materials that support and reflect

                        diversity in culture, race, gender, and ability

 

____ 10 pts.  Contents are appropriate for young children’s use, durable, safe,

                        age-appropriate, mostly non-commercial, and varied

 

____   5 pts.   Contents stored in appropriate container that is durable, easy to

                        store, and labeled

 

____ 10 pts.  Activity Plan is well-developed, detailed, neat, organized, and

                        follows the format given in class. The plan reflects an

                        understanding of developmentally appropriate ways to support

                        children’s development of social skills and an appreciation of

                        differences in cultures and families. It should describe the

                        teacher’s role in using a dramatic play prop box. The plan

                        should have no spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors.

 

____ 20 pts.  Report is at least three typed pages and includes a thorough reflection on what the student learned about dramatic play and child development through this experience. The report also explains how the prop box supports emergent literacy and how it supports and reflects diversity. The report should have no spelling, grammar, sentence structure, or punctuation errors.

 

 

____  (75)      TOTAL POINTS

 

 

 


Outdoor Activity File

Due November 20

Each student must turn in 25 outdoor activities. These activities should follow the format given in class. The activities should be developmentally appropriate and include a variety of types of activities. 10 of the activities should be adaptable for inside gross motor activities that can be used on “bad weather” days. There are to be NO competitive games or activities in which children are “out”. Generic activities like “tag”, “hide n seek”, “basketball”, “baseball”, etc. should be avoided. Refer to Creative Curriculum text and handouts on outdoor play.

 

 

Format:

 

Name of Activity                                                        Age designed for

Purpose (Goals for children)

Materials Needed

Procedure/Set-up/Guidelines

 

Grading Criteria (40 points)

 

Date Assignment Turned In_________

 

Each activity must be written according to the format given in class, be developmentally appropriate, and be enjoyable for children. Activities do not have to be typed, but should be neat and contain no spelling, grammar, or sentence structure errors.

 

 

____   25        Developmentally appropriate activities

 

____   5         Activities will support a variety of interests

 

____   5         10 activities adaptable for inside gross motor activities

 

____    5         Correct format

 

 

____ (40)       Total Points


Cooking Project

 Activity Plan Due November 20; Project Due December 11

Instructions:

·        Review resources for cooking with children

·        Select one recipe to try with the children in your class or as a guest in another class. If you work in a young infant room, locate a toddler class (or older) in which you can do your cooking activity.

·        Write an activity plan for your cooking activity. Use the format given in class. The activity plan should be written as if you were “giving instructions” to another teacher on how to conduct this activity. It is not just the recipe, but how you set up and interact with the children during the activity. What is the teacher’s role?

·        Prepare a documentation board on your cooking experience. For documentation, include some of the following:

o        Narrative descriptions of what actually happened

o        Pictures with descriptions

o        Webs or lists

o        Props used in the experience – what tools the children learned about

o        Vocabulary words the children were exposed to

o        Information about the learning values of the experience for the children

o        Teacher notes about children’s reactions and verbalizations

o        Copies of charts or recipe cards used

o        Drawings children made about the experience

o        Actual products made

Be creative with your documentation and think of new things not on the list above

·        Be prepared to share your activity plan and documentation with the class.

 

 

 

Grading Criteria  (75 points)

 

Date Activity Plan Turned In_________     Date Project Completed___________

 

____ 25 pts.  Activity Plan:  well developed, detailed, neat, organized, follows the

format given in class. Reflects understanding of developmentally

                        appropriate ways to provide nutrition/cooking experiences with

                        young children. Describes teacher’s role in cooking.  

 

____ 10 pts.  Activity:  developmentally appropriate for age selected, offers

                        multiple learning values: exploration and discovery, self-help skills,

                        literacy and language skills, math skills, etc.

 

____ 40 pts.  Documentation Board:  attractive, neat, organized, communicates

                        effectively the experience the children had and the learning that

                        resulted. Several types of documentation are included.

 

____  (75)      TOTAL POINTS



Group Learning Center Project

 

 

Each group will be assigned a Learning Center Area in a children’s classroom. This center will be listed in the Creative Curriculum text.

 

The group must do research about the learning center and summarize the findings in a written report. Correct spelling, grammar, and sentence structure should be used. Documentation of at least one source in addition to the Creative Curriculum text must be included.

 

Individual due dates have been assigned to each Learning Center. See outline for specific dates.

 

The research summary report should include:

·        How the center should be set up

·        Materials to be used

·        Any special techniques to help children use the center appropriately

·        What children learn from playing in the center

·        Any ECERS or ITERS specifications

·        Activities to do in the center

·        How the center might be adapted for different ages (ex.  infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school agers)

·        Ideas to be sure the center is multi-cultural and anti-biased

 

An oral report will be given in class along with a sample set-up of what the center might look like in a classroom setting.

 

 

 

Grading Criteria

 

Date Project Completed____________

 

_____ 10 points        Research summary report

 

_____ 05 points        Correct spelling, grammar, sentence structure, and

                                    documentation of sources

 

_____ 15 points        Oral report and sample set-up

 

 

_____ 30 points        Total points



Name___________________________                         Semester _Fall, 2004  _

 

ECED 2010 GRADE SHEEET

 

 ____    Prop Box                                   ____     Reality Checks                          ___Exam 1

 

____     Playground Inspection                ____     Cooking Project                         ___Exam 2

 

____     Outdoor Activities                       ____     Quizzes/in-class assignments/homework                                                

____     Total Points                                                                                           ____     Final Grade

 

450-500 = A         400-449 = B        350-399 = C        300-349 = D        0-299 = F

 

QUIZZES, HOMEWORK, AND IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

____     September 11    ____     September 25    ____     November 13     ____     November 20

 

____     September 11    ____     October 16        ____     November 13     ____     December 4

 

____     September 25    ____     October 16        ____     November 20     ____     December 4

 

 

PLAYGROUND INSPECTION REPORT DUE October 16

Date Turned In____________

____ 2 pts.        Written Report is at least 2 pages and includes date of inspection

                        Inspection Checklists are attached

____ 3 pts.        Content reflects a thorough and extensive inspection

 

____ 5 pts.        Content includes strengths of playground

 

____ 5 pts.        Content includes weaknesses and any hazards of the playground

 

____ 5 pts.        Content includes goals for improving the safety and environment of the playground

                       

____ 5 pts.        Content includes ideas/suggestions for portable equipment and/or materials

                        that can be taken outside for children to play with (at least 10)

 

____ 5 pts.        Assignment is well-organized and typed with no spelling, grammar,

                        punctuation, or sentence structure errors

 

____ (30)           Total Points

 

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES DUE November 20

Date Turned In_____________

____ 25 pts.      Developmentally appropriate activities

 

____ 05 pts.      Activities will support a variety of interests

 

____ 05 pts.      10 activities adaptable for inside gross motor activities

 

____ 05 pts.      Correct format

 

____ (40)           Total Points


 

PROP BOX PROJECT

Activity Plan Due November 13      Prop Box Project Due December 4

Title of Prop Box_________________________  Date Turned In _______   ________

                                                                                                A. Plan     Prop Box

____  5 pts.       Topic is appropriate and will interest young children.  Prop box

                        encourages dramatic play, socialization, literacy skills, exploration,

                        experimentation, and discovery

 

____ 15 pts.      Prop Box includes a variety of appropriate materials that support

                        emergent literacy

 

____ 10 pts.      Prop Box includes appropriate materials that support and reflect

                        diversity

 

____ 10 pts.      Contents are appropriate for young children’s use, durable, safe,

                        age-appropriate, mostly non-commercial, and varied

 

____   5 pts.      Contents stored in appropriate container that is durable, easy to

                        store, and labeled

 

____ 10 pts.      Activity Plan is well-developed, detailed, neat, organized, and

                        follows the format given in class.  The plan reflects an

                        understanding of developmentally appropriate ways to support

                        children’s development of social skills and an appreciation of

                        differences in cultures and families.  It should describe the

                        teacher’s role in using a dramatic play prop box.  The plan

                        should have no spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors.

 

____ 20 pts.      Report is at least three typed pages and includes a

                        thorough reflection on what the student learned about dramatic

                        play and child development through this experience.  The report also explains how

                        prop box supports emergent literacy and how it supports and reflects diversity.

                        The report should have no spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors.

 

____   (75)         Total Points

 

 

COOKING PROJECT

Activity Plan Due November 20    Project Due December 11

Date Activity Plan Turned In___________ Date Project Completed________

                                                                                      

____ 25 pts.      Activity Plan:  well developed, detailed, neat, organized, follows the                                                           

format given in class.  Reflects understanding of developmentally

                        appropriate ways to provide nutrition/cooking experiences with

                        young children.  Describes teacher’s role in cooking.  

 

____ 10 pts.      Activity:  developmentally appropriate for age selected, offers

                        multiple learning values:  exploration and discovery, self-help skills,

                        literacy and language skills, math skills, etc.

 

____ 40 pts.      Documentation Board:  attractive, neat, organized, communicates

                        effectively the experience the children had and the learning that

                        resulted.  Several types of documentation are included.

 

____  (75)          Total Points

 

 


 

ECED 2010 SAFE, HEALTHY, LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

COURSE OUTLINE – Fall, 2004

 

DATE

TOPIC

TEXTBOOK READING

ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES

EXAM DATES

 

 

9/11

Introduction

Syllabus

Dramatic Play/Prop Boxes

 

Safety Issues

 

 

The Creative Curriculum

      Chapter 7: pgs. 271-293

Safety, Nutrition, and Health

      Chapter 1: pgs. 28-58

 

 

9/25

Playground Safety

 

 

Outdoor Environments

 

Field Trips

Safety, Nutrition, and Health

     Chapter 3: pgs. 98-124

 

The Creative Curriculum

     Chapter 16: pgs. 493-522

Handouts

Reality Check Report

Each Student

10/16

 

 

 

 

11/10  

Emergency Preparedness

Infection Control

 

Toys and Games

 

No Class--Last Day to Withdraw from Class

Safety, Nutrition, and Health

     Chapter 4: pgs. 126-161

     Chapter 10: pgs. 332-359

The Creative Curriculum

     Chapter 8: pgs. 295-315

 

 

Playground Inspection Reports

 

 

11/13

NAEYC’s Code of Ethical Conduct

Cooking

 

 

Handouts

The Creative Curriculum

   Chapter 14: pgs. 443-469

Prop Box Activity Plan

 

EXAM ONE

11/20

Nutrition

 

Library

Science/Discovery

Safety, Nutrition, and Health

     Chapter 6: pgs. 199-232

The Creative Curriculum

    Chapter 10: pgs. 351-379

    Chapter 11: pgs. 381-401

 

Outdoor Activities

 

Cooking Project Activity Plan

 

 

12/4

Menu Planning

 

Family Style Meals & Snacks

 

Art

Music & Movement

 

Safety, Nutrition, and Health

     Chapter 7: pgs. 236-267

 

The Creative Curriculum

     Chapter 9: pgs. 317-349

     Chapter 13: pgs. 423-441

Prop Box Presentations

 

 

12/11

Child Abuse

 

Blocks

Sand and Water

 

Safety, Nutrition, and Health

     Chapter 12: pts.392-413

The Creative Curriculum

     Chapter 6: pgs. 243-269   

     Chapter 12: pgs. 403-421

 

Cooking Project

 

 

EXAM TWO