ED 5910-01 Curricular Planning/Childhood)   ( H/HUD 004/4:00-6:20)

Instructor:

Dr. Ludmilla Smirnova Ph.D. (Ed)

 tel. 845-569-3527

 mail to: smirnova@msmc.edu                 

my webpage: http://www.ludmilasmirnova.com 

http://faculty.msmc.edu/smirnova

home: 845-294-0751                                                    

COURSE DESCRIPTION                                                                                                        

The course is designed to familiarize students with National, State, and Local educational standards that will serve as a basis for instructional planning, develop skills in selecting the resources for designing various plans (Unit, Thematic, Daily), in choosing the ways to design instruction that enables all the students including those from diverse cultures, students at risk, and those with disabilities to learn effectively.  The main product of the course is a Resource Unit Plan the design of which will require from the students application of course content knowledge, organizational, planning, management, critical thinking and other professional skills. 

REQUIRED READINGS

New York State Learning Standards in the main subject areas.

Paul R. Burden, David M. Byrd Methods of Effective Teaching, 3/e, 2003, Pearson Education, Inc.

STUDENT OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be expected to:

 

OBJECTIVE

INTASC Standards

   ASSESSMENT

1.     1.      Become familiar with the purpose and contents of NYS Learning Standards in basic skills and content areas.

 

 

Standard # 1

 

 

Take-home tests.

Content Quizzes.

Lesson/Unit Planning, Micro-teaching in class and in Field work experience.

  1. Recognize and compare a variety of curriculum models used in both regular and special education. Demonstrate knowledge of different learning theories (Cognitive, Behaviorism, Information Processing, Constructivism, etc.).

 

 

 

Standard # 3

 

Classroom discussions & assignments

Take-home Tests/Quizzes

Individual/Group Presentations

3.     3.      Demonstrate the ability to differentiate aims, goals and objectives, formulate measurable learning outcomes.

4.     4.       Describe the role of assessment in teaching in contemporary classrooms and design both objective and authentic performance assessment methods

 

Standard

# 7

 

 

 

 

 

Standard

 # 8

 

Unit, Lesson Planning

Take-home tests

Field Experience.

 

Unit/Lesson Planning.

 

  1. Demonstrate knowledge and application of Content and Task analysis that accommodate both typical and special needs of children

 

Standards

 

# 1, # 2

Unit/ Lesson  Planning.

Classroom discussions & assignments.

Individual/ Group Presentations / Portfolio

    

     6.   Integrate technology effectively by:

·       ·        searching on-line for sources of information regarding  innovative educational methods

  • planning for the integration of subject areas content appropriate software
  • using appropriate software applications to support planning, instruction and assessment;

 

 

Standards

 

#1, # 7, # 8

 

Internet assignments

Web ct operation

Take-home Tests

 

Lesson Planning/ Presentations

  1. Identify and describe the nature and components of a variety of basic instructional models such as behaviorism, information processing, social, independent, which are aligned with the instructional strategies: direct, indirect, inquiry, cooperative learning, integrated, interdisciplinary instruction, peer tutoring.

 

 

Standards

 

# 2, # 3, # 6

 

Lesson Planning

Individual/Group Presentations

Field Experience.

 

Reflective Journal Writing.

 

 

7.     7.      Identify the best ways to plan activities that enable diverse students to learn.

8.     8.      Design a Resource Unit Plan., including: Rationale, Standards, Goals and Objectives, Starting Activities, Enabling Activities, Assessment Techniques, Resource Materials.

  

Standards

 

# 1, # 2, # 3,

 

#4, # 5, # 6

 

Unit/ Lessons Planning and Implementing in class

 

Designing and implementing Planning activities during Field work experience. 

Reflective Journal Writing.

9.     9.      Describe the changing role of the teacher in an interdisciplinary instruction environment, in designing, developing and implementing curriculum, formulating objectives, selecting adequate strategies and methods of instruction, aligning assessment with the teaching process.

10.  10.  Demonstrate an appropriate, positive attitude towards teaching and learning through active class participation and in field experience, behaviors that characterize a life-long learner, an effective, resourceful and reflective beginning teacher.

11.  11.  Demonstrate the knowledge and ambitions to apply study skills and study systems, critical thinking skills during the class sessions and intentions to instill similar skills in pupils in fieldwork.

 

Standards

# 7, # 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standards

 

# 4, # 2, # 9,

10.

 

 

 

 

Standards

# 9, # 2, # 4,

# 10.

 

Classroom discussions & assignments

Field work Observation Reports.

Reflective Journal Writing.

 

 

 

 

Class Events Participation.

 

The Quality of the Home Assignment

 

 

 

The Quality of the Home Assignment.

Fieldwork Experience. Class/ Field Work Observation Reports

 Teaching and Learning Strategies

In this class we will learn from each other. Our role as INSTRUCTORS is to facilitate as much learning and sharing as possible. The class meetings in many ways will be constructed as a model for teaching future classes. We will model various methods and alternative assessments.

Our philosophy of teaching and learning can be best summarized by the following Chinese proverb:

I hear and I forget.

I see and I remember.

I do and I understand.

With a new addition:  I teach and I learn.

Strategies used in this class: Cooperative learning is considered to be the basic framework for this course, though  Direct/ Indirect Instruction, Independent Study, Role playing, Team-teaching, Video discussions, Guest speakers, Internet Exploration, Inquiry-training, Reading, Writing Reflective Analysis, Application to practice will be also used.

The Framework of the course content and process might be explained through the following formula: the more future teachers  are aware of WHO is involved in the  educational process, know WHAT is going to be taught (subject content), HOW it will be presented to the diverse learners, and WHY s/he chooses  a particular way of planning and instruction, the more consciously and effectively the future teachers will teach in the contemporary school. There are two parts in the course: Part I – theoretical foundations for Planning; Part II – practical implementation of theoretical principles and foundations of planning – designing a Resource Unit Plan. 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 All the assignments and parts of the course curriculum will be placed on the Webct. You are expected to daily visit the course site, follow the instructions and course announcements, keep in touch with your team members, and submit all the assignments through the WebCT course site.

http://course.msmc.edu  or at http://my.msmc.edu   hit WebCT link.

Attendance and punctuality are mandatory.  This is a professional development course in which you will be learning and practicing teaching skills; therefore, attendance is required and critical to success.  The field-based experience involves an exceptional commitment on the part of the teachers, students and administration in the public schools. It requires a similar commitment from the College faculty and students. This is a professional commitment and you must be in attendance every scheduled time.  It is the student’s professional responsibility to attend classes, produce quality work, and adhere to the ethics of the profession.  Failure to attend all classes may result in lowered grades or failure.

NB!  It’s your responsibility to call or e-mail the professor if you are going to be absent. Be sure to get the materials for the missed and the next classes from the professor’s office as soon as you are back to school.

1.      Home Assignments and Presentations in class/ or online (individual, and/or within a group): You are expected to thoroughly prepare your home assignments, as they make the basis for the upcoming class activities. Participate in class discussions, articulate your ideas on Readings and class happenings, design variants of daily lesson Plans, develop a Resource Unit Plan for the final project, keep a course portfolio, etc., and you develop the most valuable skills and talents of the effective teacher. You have a chance to exercise eye contact, test voice projection, display professional behavior, apply and develop different professional skills during class sessions. All class assignments are viewed as micro-teaching experiences. Therefore, throughout the semester each student will participate in planning and implementing an in class icebreaking (or starting a lesson) 3-5 min. activity.  You are expected to observe and be ready to give fair and honest evaluations of the peers’ work in individual and group projects to exercise your professional planning, organizational, presentation, and management skills. Active participation adds “+5pts”, absence without a reason /and without informing the professor, passive presence in every class will result in “– 5 pts” to the final score.

2.      Individual and Group Assignments: Each student is expected to complete the assignments provided by the instructor on the webct site. Some assignments are designed for practice and will not be graded (I will keep track of them, however, and not doing them will lower the final grade). Some assignments are to be completed in assigned groups; this required work will be graded by the instructor and group members. Group participation is mandatory.

3.      Reflective Journal writing: Journal writing develops students’ reflective, critical thinking and meta-cognitive skills. Students are required to keep a log/journal of class discussions and fieldwork observations. The Framework for the Journal Writings includes three parts:

·       Preparation. Reflection on course concepts based upon the readings and assignments, including Take-Home Tests, charts and graphs.

·       Assistance. Responses to Class events that support comprehension of readings and usage of course concepts in class and field work experience, including reactions to class discussions, peers clarification comments, evaluations, etc.

·       Application. How the readings and class events will be used in current and future teaching.

Reflections should be focused on topics discussed in class, on assigned readings, and must be substantive in response, demonstrating a critical analysis of any given topic and your understanding of the educational process. You will be guided and reflectively supported with the constructive feedback throughout the semester. If you miss a class, you are responsible to reflect on the assigned readings anyway.

4.      Midterm Project (Independent Research} - Webquest Evaluation Report:  First, visit http://www.spa3.k12.sc.us/WebQuests.html (a website on the theory and practice of Webquests. Then, complete the Treasure Hunt on Webquests on webct. Finally, independently search for 2 webquests on the Internet on any topics related to elementary school curriculum and evaluate `each according to the provided format.

5.       Fieldwork Experience ( 5 hs). Independently find a fieldwork placement in a school, record your observations in the Field Work part of the Reflective Journal, and be ready to discuss the results of your experience with your peers and instructor in class.

6.      Resource Unit Plan Project As a final outcome of the course, design a Resource Unit Plan that follows the criteria in the Mount Saint Mary rubric and reflecting your professional growth and understanding of the curricular planning process and the main concepts of the course.

DIVISION OF EDUCATION POLICY REGARDING WRITING (July 19, 2005)

 

“In grading any work submitted by a candidate, if the instructor identifies five or more errors in spelling (including use of apostrophes), grammar, and/or sentence construction, the instructor will discontinue reading that work and will return it the candidate with a grade of zero. At the discretion of the instructor, the candidate may correct the document and resubmit it once (only).  In this case, the candidate may receive no more than the equivalent of 73% (undergraduate) or 83% (graduate) on the document, receiving a lower grade if otherwise warranted. This grade will be final for the document.  (This policy does not apply to work written in class such as on a test.)”

The final grade will be calculated as follows:

Class Journal                                                       - 20 pts

Mid-term - Evaluation of 2-3 Web Quests        - 20 pts

Resource Unit Plan design & presentation)     -  50 pts                  

Micro-teaching, Tests, Class Projects,

Assignments, S/E                                               - 10 pts

Total:                                                                   - 100 pts

Grading Scale and Grading Policy

Grade Value

Indicator

Description

A    = 96 - 100 and above

A-   = 93-96

 

Exceptional Achievement

Demonstrates a superior understanding, creative application, and ability to connect knowledge, skills, and values.

B+   = 92-88

B     = 87-82

B-    = 81-80

Very Good Achievement

Demonstrates a thorough and effective understanding, application, and connection of knowledge, skills, and values.

C+    = 79-78

C      = 77-72

C-    = 71-70

Proficient Achievement

Demonstrates a competent level of understanding, application, and connection of knowledge, skills, and values.

D+   = 69-68

D     = 67-66

D-    = 65

Minimal Achievement

Demonstrates a basic, but inconsistent understanding, application, and connection of knowledge, skills, and values.

F

Superficial/Incomplete Achievement

Fails to demonstrate a basic understanding application, and connection of knowledge, skills, and values.

 

Professional Responsibility:

Those entering the profession must hold education in the highest esteem.  It is your professional responsibility, as a student of education, to produce work that reflects this reverence for the professional educator by maintaining high standards of performance and producing quality work.  The field experience is more like a professional experience than a “college” experience.  For this reason, professional behavior is expected at all times and professional dress is required.

Professional behavior includes, but is not limited to the following:

 Attending class and field experience

 Being punctual

 Being responsible and reliable

 Dressing appropriately

 Interacting appropriately

 Communicating appropriately

 Being a self-directed learner

 Accepting suggestions, constructive criticism

 Preparing and presenting appropriate lessons

 Taking initiative

 Exhibiting positive attitude and enthusiasm

 Actively participating in class

 Solving problems                                              

 Asking for help and accepting feedback

 Caring, sharing, and helping others

 NOT talking about others behind their backs

 Respecting students, teachers, administrators, professors, and peers

 Behaving ethically

 Establishing collegial relationships

 Collaborating with professors and field work cooperating teachers.

While at the Field Work School:

Students are guests in the school.  You must comply with all policies outlined in the Field Work Experience Handbook. The copies are available in the Division of Education at the Director of Field work Experience. 

The Framework of the course content and process might be explained through the following formula: the more future teachers are aware of WHO is involved in the educational process, know WHAT is going to be taught (subject content), HOW it will be presented to the diverse learners, and WHY s/he chooses a particular way of planning and instruction, the more consciously and effectively the future teachers will teach in the contemporary school. There are two parallel parts in the course: Part I – theoretical foundations for Planning; Part II – practical implementation of theoretical principles and foundations of planning – designing a Resource Unit Plan.

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE Ed 591Curriculum Planning   Meeting Days: H  HUD/004 (4:00-6:20)

 

NB! The drafts of all the assignments during the Unit Plan design process will be collected and initially evaluated.

 

The final grade will depend on the final product – the Resource Unit Plan designed according to the MSMC rubric.

 

Date

Topic

Assignments (Readings) for the next class

 

Week1

 

Aug.31

 

 

 

Course Overview.  Syllabus Introduction and Discussion. Field work Requirements Explanation.   Icebreaking Activities.

Welcome to the class of 2005!

What’s in your Name? Presentations of the Name projects.

How to study effectively and instill study skills in future school children.  Professional Competences discussion

Name Project (Design a poster/collage or a poem about yourself or the meaning of your name).   Questionnaire.      Designing a Learning Contract ( tips: SYLLABUS-BASED STUDENT CONTRACTS websites). Submit your learning contract to the instructor via WebCT mail by the end of the week. Read and reflect on the Websites on “How People Learn,” “Study Strategies.”  Define your personal Learning Style, Brain domination, etc. in the handout inventory sections and think of the ways of teaching study skills. Think how you will instill study skills in your future students. Study INTASC Standards. Based on reading the INTASC standards define the professional Roles the teacher fulfills at school. Test your own competences, using the Chart provided by the instructor in the Rubrics/Handouts link. Think and reflect on the question: “Is Teaching an Art or a Science? Why?” 

Week 2

Sept. 7

 

Teaching as an Art and a Science. Professional Roles of an Elementary School Teacher. Class discussion.

Let’s Start from the end!

Unit Design PPP

 

Find the definitions of the term “Curriculum.” From the site on types of curriculum in the course topic related page find illustrations for explanation of philosophical, psychological, social and methodological underpinnings of Curricular Planning. Take a tour to the PPP and the Manual for the Standard-Based Unit of Study Design

Read the Handouts. Search on the Internet on the main Educational Philosophies: Perennialism, Essentialism, Progressivism, Postmodernism.  Fill in the Chart (given in Rubrics/Handouts Location) on one of the assigned philosophies (optional all).

Week 3

Sep. 14

 

 

 

Foundations of Curricular Planning. Philosophical Foundations of Planning. Who is teaching: Teachers’ Styles: behavioral, constructivist, humanistic. Main Educational Philosophies in Curricular Design. What is my educational stance?

Basic Model of Pedagogical System: Its Importance for Planning and Instruction.

Learning contract is Due.

Find the definitions of “Pedagogy” (pedagogue, pedagogical, etc.), and “System.”  Think what components (elements) Pedagogical system consists of, and draw a diagram of the Pedagogical System showing the interrelations of its elements in the way you see it. See example of a model in Ch. 2 p.35 and at: http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/images/shs.gif

 Study the definitions and the content of National, State and Local NY Standards. Study the internet sites on the WebCt Course related websites’ page. Prepare Group Presentations on Curricular Documents. (Assigned by the professor). National, State, Local Standards, Textbooks, Curricular Guides.

Week 4

 

 

 

Sept. 21

 

 

.

Pre-assessment Stage: what is to be diagnosed?  Selecting the Curriculum/Content/Standards.  Guest Speaker (audio-lecture): “Standards Movement in the American Educational History.”    Understanding the Standards. Group Presentations on Curricular documents.

Standards’ structure, major concepts: key ideas, performance indicators.

Study the topic Content, Concept, Task Analysis – read and reflect on Ch. 2 pp 41-42, the webct readings, topic handouts and the internet Readings.   

Week 5

 

Sep.28

 

 

Theme/Topic. Rationale.

Unit/Lesson Plan Types (Single-Subject, Multi-subject, and Interdisciplinary/Thematic Unit planning).

Read Ch.2 on Planning (pp 22-38, 46-55). Choose a theme of your interest for your Unit plan. Explore the internet, google on the chosen Unit theme to become an expert in the topic. Study the curriculum guides, textbooks, teacher’s manuals, etc. Get ready to present the Unit theme in class.

Design a Graphic Organizer on the topic of Content Analysis based on the provided readings.                     

Week 6

 

Oct. 5

 

 

WHAT is to be learned? CONTENT/Task Analysis.

Unit theme and Content Analysis.

Discussion of the Unit Content Analysis/ Unit rationales

 

Design a subject matter outline, task and content analysis, select vocabulary, key ideas of the Unit plan. Submit the Rationale.

 

Read Ch. 4 pp. 94-115; identify the dimensions of diversity. Explore “The Inclusive and Multicultural Classroom.” Copy and fill out the Diversity chart from Course Materials Location of the WebCT.

Week 7

 

 

Oct 12

 

 

Who is Studying?  Student/Learner’s Diversity

Learners’ Diversity.  Discussion. Exchange of Graphic organizers on student diversity. 

Learning theories Presentations.

Prepare Group Presentations on Learning Theories. (Assigned by the professor)  Do your own search on the Internet on Teaching theories (Behavioral, Constructivist, Humanistic, etc.). MI, LS, Brain-compatible teaching, etc. Read and reflect on the Internet Readings on the topic. Do the exercise using Course related websites on the WebCT course page. 

Week 8

 

Oct. 19

 

 

When Does Learning Occur? Stages (Types) of Planning. Midterm Project due (Oct 19)

Read and Reflect on the topic internet readings, Ch. 2 pp. 35-39, 79-81 on Aims, Goals and Objectives. Study, use the given Handouts in the Course Materials section of the webct site. Complete the Objectives Packet, Take-home Test on Learning (Measurable) Objectives. Learning Domains.                                               

Week 9

 

Oct. 26

 

What is the difference between Aims, Goals, and Objectives?                    In class Exercises, Test   on Learning Objectives. 

Read Ch. 3 pp 81-92 on Learning Domains. Design the Visual aid to teach your partner the levels and verbs of Bloom’s Taxonomy. Find the site or design the scenario of your talk on Bloom’s Taxonomy that you could use for the conference with the parents. Get ready to share it in class. 

Select Standards, Formulate goals, objectives for your Unit Plan.                                                         

Week 10

 

 

Nov. 2

 

 

 

Domains and Levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy. Their role in teaching and Formulating Objectives. Cognitive Domain – Bloom’s Taxonomy. Affective and Psychomotor Domains and their role in Planning.  How to Achieve Goals? Practice Exercises, Discussion, and Peer review.

Read Ch.8 pp. 156-161, the handouts, and visit the internet sites on Models, Strategies and Methods of Instruction. Fill in the Diagrams, placed in the Course Materials section of the webct site. Educational Technology and Planning. Read and reflect on the electronic articles.

 

Week 11

Nov. 9

 

How to Select Models, Strategies and Methods in Planning Effective Instruction?  Choice, Sequence, Variety.  Teaching enhanced with Technology.

Discussion. Practice Excercises.       

   

Read Ch. 12 pp 303 -313 and the Internet Articles on Authentic Assessment, complete the handout in the Course Materials location. Complete the Assignment provided by the Instructor.  .

Week 12

 

Nov. 16

 

How to Test the Results? Assessment/Evaluation component of Planning and Instruction.

Read and reflect on Principles of Learning and Teaching. Review all the course topics and based on what you have learned design your own set of Principles (at least 5) that you will use and follow in your own planning and teaching.

Week 13

 

Nov. 30

 

Discussion of General Principles of Planning, Teaching and Learning.

Check the Unit plan design with the Rubric.

Week 14

Dec.7

 

Curriculum Development Time

 

Finalize the Unit Plan design

 

NB!  Course assignments are to be submitted through the WebCT mail attachments on the date announced by the professor. 

If assignments are turned in late one-quarter of the grade value will be deducted. 

Late assignments with no reason of their delay provided to the instructor will not be accepted.

 

Resource Unit Plan Design Schedule  (Due dates)

See the MSMC Rubric in the Content Module/Course Materials Section of the WebCT site. 

Each section will be designed parallel to the correlated theoretical content of the course.

 

Rubric’s Items

Designing the Components of the Unit Plan

Dates Due

TBA

 

I. 1, II.2,3,4

Description of the Topic (Theme)

  1. Rationale for teaching this Unit presented together with the essential questions.

 

Date_____

Unit Rationale

               

 

II. 2,3,4

 

 

 Content (Subject Matter Outline. Content/Task Analysis)

a.       An Outline should include accurate details and information with the important terms and definitions.

b.       An Outline may be of a traditional format, or a graphic organizer, web, etc.

An Outline should not list activities!

 

 

Date_____

 

Compose a Subject Matter Outline;

Create a Content Analysis

Graph

III. 5,6,7

Selecting New York State Standards, Performance Indicators, aligned with Goals and Objectives

  1. General goals – desired outcomes of a set of learning experiences. Include at least two goals for each of the four major subject areas.

i.                 Identify the domain and level for the goal.

ii.               Make sure that higher levels of the domains are present.

  1. Performance Objectives (CBC criteria)

i.                 At least one for each goal. A goal usually has one or more objectives.

Cross referenced to specific standards and performance indicators.

 

Date_____

 

Select Standards, Formulate Goals and Objectives

IV. 8

 

 

Possible Ways to Start the Unit (Anticipatory Sets)

-        three to five variants to introduce the Unit

a.      Provides focus (active involvement of learners)

b.     Transfers relevant prior knowledge

c.      Provides an advanced organizer for key ideas

d.     Pre-assesses appropriate skills as necessary (diagnosis)

 

Date_____

 

AS

 

 

V.

9, 10, 11

 

 

 

Enabling Activities

a.      Describe three to five activities that could be used in the unit.  Be sure to include consideration for:

i.                 Multiple Intelligences

ii.               Learning Styles

iii.              Differentiated Instruction   (Create a Chart to illustrate the evidence)

Optional - Design variants of Lesson Plans for Direct, Indirect, Inquiry-based  instruction.

 

 

Date_____

 

EA

 

 

VI. 12

 

 

Culminating Project

a.      Describe one or more projects that demonstrate the major learning outcomes of the unit.

        Be sure to include consideration for Multiple

        Intelligences and Learning Styles   

 

Date_____

 

CP

 

 

VII. 13

 

Assessment/Evaluation

Different types of Assessment (Diagnostic, Formative, Summative).  Provide the examples for:

i.                 Traditional

ii.               Portfolio

iii.             Performance 

iv.             Samples of Rubrics, Checklists, Scores.

 

Date_____

 

Assessment Tools

 

VIII.

14, 15, 16

 

Resources

a.      List resources used to help you develop the unit

b.     List resources that will be used to teach the unit

c.      List technology resources that can be used for teaching this unit

 

Date_____

 

Resources

 

 

 

 

Appendixes.  TEACHER’S PAGE.

(+ Variants of Lesson Plans (Direct, Indirect, Cooperative Learning, etc. Worksheets, Hand outs, Games, Pictures, Puzzles, Songs, etc.)  

 

 

                    

      

 

The final Resource Unit Plan Presentations - Dec. 7