Families in the Educational Process:
Birth through Kindergarten
CI 4200
Spring, 2002
Appalachian State University
Tuesday & Thursday: 9:30-10:50
CI 4200 (3 semester hours) The purpose of this course is to provide information and skills in communicating with families as partners in educational planning for very young children. Students will apply skills with families of infants, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarten children having typical and atypical educational needs.
Textbook: Berger, E. H. Parents as Partners in Education: Families and Schools Working Together. Fifth edition
Instructor: Dr. Connie Green
Associate Professor
Office: Edwin Duncan 124
Office phone: 262-2195, LRE department: 262-2182
Home phone: 264-3341 (Please call before 9:00 pm)
E-mail: [email protected]
Office hours: Tues. & Thurs. 8:30-9:30 and 2:00-4:00; Wed. 3:00-5:00
Information about your instructor:
14 years teaching in early childhood and elementary education at A.S.U.
Also taught three years at Texas Tech University
11 years early childhood and elementary teaching experience
Research interests: Early literacy, family book reading, and emergent writing
Goals:
Course Objectives:
Through experiences in this course students will:
1. Acquire an understanding of family systems and functioning styles
2. Learn ways to effectively collaboration with families
3. Become familiar with the history of family education
4. Acquire knowledge and appreciation of various family lifestyles
5. Appreciate families as primary teachers
6. Learn about community resources for parents
7. Begin to understand the impact a child with a disability has on a family
8. Use effective communication skills with families
9. Learn skills for conducting parent conferences/interviews
10. Become familiar with several parent education programs
11. Develop skills for working with parents to plan their child’s educational program
12. Learn about several parenting styles commonly used with infants, toddlers, and preschool or kindergarten children
13. Develop an awareness of family life cycles
Academic Integrity (from page 22 of ASU catalogue): It is the responsibility of every student to abide by the Appalachian State University Code of Academic Integrity. It is also the formal responsibility of the instructional faculty to maintain academic honesty and integrity. Commitment to academic integrity is inherent in the policies of the institution.
All acts of academic dishonesty violate standards essential to the existence of an academic community. Some suspected offenses may be handled by the faculty. All other alleged offenses are handled by the Office of Judicial Affairs and/or the Academic Integrity Board, which is composed of students and faculty. The Chairperson of the Academic Integrity Board is elected from among its members. Sanctions imposed by the Academic Integrity Board range fro the awarding of the grade of F for the course to expulsion from the University.
Possible student violations of academic integrity are listed below. The complete listing with definitions and explanations is included in the main body of the code.
Inclement Weather Policy: Please read the complete policy in the University Catalogue on page 48. “Appalachian reserves the right to cancel classes during inclement weather.” If classes are cancelled, “A recorded message announcing a change in normal operation will be available at (828) 262-SNOW. Other sources of information include… WATA-1450, WASU-90.5 FM, WECR-102.3 FM WKBC-97.3 FM.”
“Students are responsible for academic work they miss due to absences caused by inclement weather. Faculty should provide a reasonable opportunity for students to complete assignments or missed examinations due to such absences.
Attendance: Regular attendance is expected. Students may be absent three times without penalty. Please call Dr. Green in advance if you need to be absent for any reason. If you are working in a group, please let another group member know if you need to be absent. Each absence over three will result in a 60-point loss to your grade.
Participation: I am very serious about your contributions to the class. Participation will include projects, cooperative group work, discussions, and questions and answers. Students are expected to use class time effectively and responsibly. The participation portion of your grade will be based on observations by the professor. Criteria for participation will be discussed in class. Each tardy over one will subtract 10 points from your participation grade.
Professional behavior is expected of students in the Birth through Kindergarten program. Professional behavior in class includes:
* Being alert and involved in the class
* Demonstrating a positive attitude
* Respecting the confidentiality of classmates, families, and children
* Participating in classroom discussions
* Being prepared for class
* Actively listening to classmates, instructor, and speakers
* Using appropriate channels to express concerns
* Refraining from side conversations
Learning Assistance Program: If you need special classroom accommodations or assistance with studying or test taking, please contact the Learning Assistance Program on campus. I will be happy to work with you on any accommodations they recommend.
Late papers: Assignments will be turned in at the beginning of the period on the day they are due. Points will be taken off for the equivalent of one letter grade each day an assignment is late. Computer problems will not be accepted as an excuse for late papers. If you are ill on the day an assignment is due, send the paper with another student or as an e-mail attachment.
Rubrics for evaluation: A grading criteria sheet is attached to the syllabus. Specific rubrics for each assignment will be distributed in class.