This course is meant to introduce both the art and science of teaching. It is our hope that in this class we will bring together personal experiences; the experiences of all the members of the cohort; the theory, research and practice found in lectures and the textbook; and the advice and experiences of teachers and supervisors.
To that end, it becomes crucial that we openly discuss and reflect on what is read in the text, see in classrooms, and hear from colleagues.
As might be expected, course assignments are important because they are designed to provide opportunities to view, from a very specific vantage point, the classroom in which you are working. It is one way we can share each others experiences and gain "windows" into many different classroom situations.
During this course you will
1. Reflective Journal--a requirement of the C&I Block.
You are asked to write a minimum of four times a week about your professional experiences.
The journal is to provide you with a partially structured opportunity to describe and reflect upon your classroom experiences. Since reflection is a component of growth and understanding, the journal is considered an integral part of this teacher preparation program.
Various instructional team members will read your journal entries and provide you with supportive feedback. You can expect comments and questions in the margins and at the conclusion of your writing.
Writing in the journal will be of greatest benefit to you if you reflect and write daily.
Journals will be handed in every Friday that the C&I Block meets. The first journal will be due on September 8.
Journals will be graded Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. To achieve a passing grade in this course, the average journal grade must be Satisfactory.
2. Structured observations--During the semester you will be asked to complete five (5) observations. Each covers a different topic. You will be given a very specific worksheet to fill out on each topic. Before you bring your observation to group discussion, be sure you have clarified any points you did not understand with your classroom teacher. While we do not expect or desire that you evaluate what the teacher is doing, it is important that you ask questions to further your understanding of what they do. You will be expected to share observations during group discussion.
The observations will comprise 15% of the course grade.
Due dates for and topics of the five required observations are as follows:
Sept. 8 #1--The opening of school
Sept. 15 #2--Space allocations
Sept. 29 #3--Management of the classroom
Oct. 6 #4--Planning in the classroom
Dec. 1 #5--Transitions
3. Mini-unit of four lessons--Toward the end of this semester you will hand in a mini-unit that will demonstrate your effectiveness at planning and carrying out a continuing course of instruction. The subject of the unit should be decided on in discussion with the cooperating teacher who is guiding you during the second half of the fall semester. You may design the unit for a small group or the whole class. Try to make arrangements for your supervisor to observe you teach at least one of the lessons.
The unit will be graded according to the following criteria:
Do the plans follow in a logical order?
Does each plan have the required components?
Is the material and presentation appropriate to the grade level?
Is there an evaluation of the unit as well as suggestions for change?
Are the required components of each lesson well thought out and explained?
20% of course grade
Due date: November 20 (Monday)
4. Class Participation--You are expected to be in class without fail. If you cannot attend because you are ill, you must contact one of your instructors. You are also expected to be present in your assigned classroom unless you are ill and notify your cooperating teacher. Emergencies other than illness should also be discussed with the course instructor and the cooperating teacher.
Additionally, you are expected to be an active participant in class discussions and activities. This includes always being prepared for class, having done the readings, and having assignments prepared according to the due dates.
15% of course grade.
5. Final Project--This is a take home exam which is to be distributed very early in the semester. It will be to your benefit to begin developing ideas about each section as we cover the material in class.
25% of course grade
Due date--December 8 (Friday).
6. Field Experience--This is the result of observations by your supervisor and cooperating teachers. You will be kept informed of your progress as each observation takes place. If there are any problems, no matter how small or insignificant they might seem, you should discuss them with your supervisor. It is important to communicate how your experience is going, and any problems you might be having. Keep the lines of communication open, we can't be of assistance if we aren't told of problems that exist. Your supervisor will have access to your journal, so that may help. (We will discuss how this will be accomplished as we get into the semester.)
25% of course grade
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August 24 (Thursday) 1:30-5:00 PM. Orientation
Mellon Building
Observation # 1, Opening of School, and Journal Characteristics, distributed. Pictures taken.
Sept. 8 (Friday)
Complete questionnaire.
Elect 2 representatives and an alternate to the advisory committee per cohort. Distribute syllabus and introduce the textbook.
Writing sample. Identify students on pictures.
Supervisors meet with students and take care of time cards.
Due: Observation #1, Opening of School and journal.
Assignment: Read Chapter 1 of Arends' for historical background on Role of Teacher.
Sept. 11 (Monday)
Function of structured observations is discussed. Final project with its evaluation form is discussed. Observation #1, Opening of School, is discussed, successful strategies, issues and problems identified. Professionalism--Small group discussion, then back to the whole--What does it mean? Where do you fit in? Relationships with Coops, Community? etc.
Overview of Lesson Plans: the four components and elaborations.
Assignment for next meeting:
Complete Observation #2, Space Allocations
Read about the environment pp. 75-76; 80-82; and Planning--Chapter Two.
Construct a lesson plan based on a lesson taught by your Coop.
September 15 (Friday)
Lesson Planning and formulating and using goals/objectives.
Have read Chapter 2 "Planning," p. 35 plus.
Assignment: Read Chapter 3, Arends, on Time and Space.
Due: Observation #2.
September 18 (Monday)
Bloodborne Pathogen Training--Required Workshop
Room 101 Armory
September 22 (Friday)
Time Allocation. Have read Chapter 3, "Time and Space," p. 67 plus.
Bring a copy of the daily schedule prepared for your classroom.
Assignment: Read Case #3.
September 25 (Monday)
Classroom management. Discuss Case #3.
Small group discussions of students' problems.
Assignment: Read Chapter 6 "Classroom Management"
September 29 (Friday)
Classroom Management Models--Lecture and discussion
Have read Chapter 6 "Classroom Management," p. 159 plus.
Assignment: Observation #3, Management of the Classroom is distributed
October 2 (Monday)
Continued from Friday.
Observation #3, Management of the Classroom is due.
Assignment: Read Chapter 4
October 6 (Friday)
Lesson planning continued.
Assignment: Start Mini-unit. (To be discussed.)
Observation #4, Planning in the Classroom, is due.
October 9 (Monday)
Continued from Friday.
October 13 (Friday)
Discuss Case Study #4.
Mini-unit topic is due.
October 16 (Monday)
Finding a personal teaching style.
Invited teachers will speak about their styles.
October 20 (Friday)
Wrap-up discussion/evaluation of first half of semester.
Partner with grade level or room.
October 23 (Monday) Begin 2nd Classroom Assignment. All Day Participation. No Class.
October 27 (Friday)
Discussion of second classroom assignment, have drawn your second eight- week classroom .
Distribute Schedule Form for second eight-week classroom.
October 30 (Monday)
Conferencing with children and parents.
November 3 (Friday)
Sharing of Mini - Unit ideas in small groups.
Assignment: Write overview of mini-unit for Monday.
Collect schedules of second eight-week classroom.
November 6 (Monday)
Teachers' manuals.
Due: Mini-unit overview.
November 10 (Friday)
Sharing of Mini - Units in small groups.
November 13 (Monday)
Cooperative Learning/Group Work
Guest speakers
Have read Chapter 11, Cooperative Learning.
November 17 (Friday)
Methods of Instruction: Direct, interactive, whole class, etc.
Assignment: Chapter 10
November 20 (Monday)
Mini-unit is due. Related discussion.
Have read Chapter 10.
November 24 (Friday)
Class dismissed for Thanksgiving Holiday.
November 27 (Monday)
Invited teacher or teachers will speak on special classroom organizations (For example: learning centers, computers, integration of subjects.)
Assignment: Observation #5, Transitions, is due December 4.
December 1 (Friday)
Project evaluation by Dr. Sheryl Benson's staff.
December 4 (Monday)
Discuss: Observation #5, Transitions.
Discuss: Assessment /Evaluation/Tests.
Assignment: Have read Chapter 7.
December 8 (Friday)
Planning and organizing.
Final Project due.
December 11 (Monday)
Final due. Wrap up discussion and pointing toward second semester.
December 15 (Friday) No class. All day participation.