Course Description 

This is a course in guidance and discipline.  Its primary goal is to give students- teachers, parents, and caregivers- an overview of the complexity of child behavior and options for handling behavior effectively, so that ultimately children become more caring, competent, and self-disciplined.  Students will gain a developmental outlook on children and increase their repertoire of strategies in how they interact with them.  Students will explore methods of planning and setting goals for children as well as evaluating their behavior through observation. The course will emphasize the important relationship between child development and guidance strategies and the value of play as it relates to children’s learning

Syllabus

Spring 2009 download Microsoft Word version of Course Syllabus

Materials

• Gordon, A.M., and Browne, K.W. Guiding Young Children in a Diverse Society.  Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon Publishers.
• Diamonds

Evaluation

Course Assignments  (Due dates are listed on the course outline)
Pre-Test                 25 points             
Post-Test                               50 points                             
Presentation                         50 points
/In-class/Non-graded           75 points
                       
Exams – 75 total points possible
Pre-Test                 25 points                              Post-Test                               50 points
**EXAM DATE**No final exam; Instructor will be available for individual appointments during exam hours: Th, 5/28 11:10-1:40

Presentation – 50  total points possible
Write a 1-2 paragraph “Profile Scenario” of your own.  Choose a situation that fits the age range [Infant/Toddler, Preschool, School-Age]- it can be a real experience or one you have created from the information you have learned in the class and the book.  Be sure to put in enough detail that the rest of the class can understand the situation.  Make copies of this scenario for the class to read. 
               

Then, conduct a 10-minute discussion about the “Profile Scenario.”  Be ready to answer their questions.  You may ask the students to write comments or questions on their sheet.  Think of how you can lead them to “figure it out”; that is, to list the key elements that are at work in your scenario and some suggestions for what to do.  Be ready to give ideas of your own at the end of the discussion, with at least 3 ideas of what YOU think would be what is happening, and how to handle it. 

In-class/Non-graded - 75 total points possible.
In class assignments will consist of individual, pair, and small group work conducted during class sessions and cannot be made up if missed.  They will include material from the text {“Observe & Apply,” “Try-it”, Think-it-over”),  interviews or observations, notecards with questions for speakers, presentation of material in the form of transparencies or mini-panel discussions.

Extra Credit – 25 points possible
Skyline College’s Writing Center and Learning Center offer workshops and seminars that create and develop important skills. These include time management, effective study habits and writing skills.  You may earn 2 points for each workshop attended, and may earn no more than a total of 12 extra credit points.  Other extra credit options will include 1-page critiques of individual text chapters, with specific suggestions of content to be added or deleted.   

All Extra Credit Must Be Competed By May 1, 2009.
*Points and number of assignments are subject to change

Final Grades

Final grades are based on a percentage of points earned. Please keep all graded work until the end of the semester. Ninety percent of points earned is an A, 80% is a B, 70% is a C, 60 % is a D and 59% and below is an F. You can keep track of your grade at all times by recording your scores as you receive them. Also, please feel free to check your grade at any time during my office hours.