Course Syllabus

ECED 2010-W41

Safe, Healthy, Learning Environments

Volunteer State Community College

Spring, 2005

Class Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Jan. 22, Feb.5, Feb. 19, Mar. 5, Mar. 19, Apr. 2, Apr. 16 and May 7. April 9, if needed.

Room: Ramer Building, Room 007

Credit Hours: 3

Instructor: Jacqueline Jordan

Office Hours: By appointment

Office Phone: 615.726.0215

Required Texts:

Safety, Nutrition, and Health in Early Education, 2^nd 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:

• Professionalism in Health and Safety Issues: NAEYC’s Code of Ethical Conduct
• Licensing Standards
• Indoor and Outdoor Safety
• Child Abuse Prevention, Detection and Reporting
• Family Style Meals and Snacks
• Nutrition/Menu Planning
• Cooking with Children
• Health Issues/Infection Control
• Environmental Rating Scales
• Learning Environments
• Anti-bias Materials

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 research and report to the class on a learning center.
5. Students will complete one lab experience: Playground Inspection.
6. Students will develop a list of 25 outdoor and/or gross motor activities for children.
7. 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

COURSE OUTLINE – Spring 2005

DATE	TOPIC	TEXTBOOK READING	ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES EXAM DATES
1/22	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
2/5	Playground Safety Outdoor Environments Field Trips	Safety, Nutrition, and Health Chapter 3: pgs. 98-124 The Creative Curriculum Chapter 16: pgs. 493-522 Handouts
2/19	Emergency Preparedness Infection Control Blocks Center	Safety, Nutrition, and Health Chapter 4: pgs. 126-161 Chapter 10: pgs. 332-359 The Creative Curriculum Chapter 6: pgs. 243-269	Playground Inspection Report Blocks Group Presentation
3/5	NAEYC’s Code of Ethical Conduct	Handouts	Prop Box Activity Plan EXAM ONE
3/19	Nutrition Cooking Toys and Games Center Art Center	Safety, Nutrition, and Health Chapter 6: pgs. 199-232 The Creative Curriculum Chapter 14: pgs. 443-469 Chapter 8: pgs. 295-315 Chapter 9: pgs. 317-349	Outdoor Activities Toys & Games Group Presentation Art Group Presentation
3/31	LAST DAY TO	WITHDRAW FROM	COURSE WITH A “W”
4/2	Menu Planning Family Style Meals & Snacks Library Center Discovery Center	Safety, Nutrition, and Health Chapter 7: pgs. 236-267 The Creative Curriculum Chapter 10: pgs. 351-379 Chapter 11: pgs. 381-401	Cooking Project Activity Plan Prop Box Presentations Library Group Presentation Discovery Group Presentation
4/16	Child Abuse Sand and Water Centers Music & Movement Center Review	Safety, Nutrition, and Health Chapter 12: pts.392-413 The Creative Curriculum Chapter 12: pgs. 403-421 Chapter 13: pgs. 423-441	Cooking Project Sand & Water Group Presentation Music & Movement Group Presentation
5/7			Exam Two
4/9	MAKE UP DAY IF NEEDED