EDUC 204 - Curriculum and Advocacy for Early Childhood Education

3 Credits: (3 lecture)

Course Description
This course will explore central curricular approaches found and implemented in early childhood settings. Emphasis will be placed on constructing appropriate curriculum that creates a community of learners, advocates on behalf of young children, and establishes reciprocal relationships with families. Selection and development of materials and resources based on assessment data that meet the needs of diverse learners will also be included. Students must conduct a minimum of five hours of observation in a PreK-4 setting and reflect upon their experiences.

Prerequisite EDUC 101

A. Construct developmentally appropriate interdisciplinary standards-based creative lessons and assessments that demonstrate meaningful application to all learning styles and abilities.  

B. Examine the process of creating curriculum with an awareness of learning styles, diversity, and exceptionalities as an integral part of effective planning. 

C. Analyze the key elements of curriculum design and their role in the hierarchy of curriculum. 

D. Develop materials and resources based on assessment data that meet the needs of diverse learners. 

E. Analyze current trends and issues in curriculum design that challenge educators in the early childhood setting. 

F. Evaluate the importance of play and its role in curriculum planning. 

G. Assess techniques in the field of advocacy for young children. 

H. Examine one’s personal philosophy of education and pedagogy, as guided by observation experiences.   

Content
A. Play and its role in curriculum 

B. Introduction and demonstration of Common Core and state standards 

C. Hierarchy of curriculum (What/who guides curriculum? Who is impacted by curriculum decisions? Who designs curriculum?) 

D. The role of assessment in curriculum 

E. Lesson construction at all levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy 

F. Understanding by Design framework 

G. Advocacy for young children 

Student Evaluation
A. Lesson plans and assignments 

B. Exams, quizzes, lesson plans and assignments, reflection journals addressing observation hours 

C. Exams, quizzes, lesson plans and assignments, reflection journals addressing observation hours  

D. Lesson plans and assignments 

E. Exams, quizzes, reflection journals addressing observation hours  

F. Exams, quizzes, and assignments  

G. Exams, quizzes, reflection journals addressing observation hours, assignments 

H. Reflection journals addressing observation hours Bibliography
Cohen, M. D. (2009). A guide to special education advocacy: What parents, clinicians, and advocates need to know. Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. 

Gestwicki, C. (2014). Developmentally appropriate practice: Curriculum and development  in early education. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.  

Kauchak, D. P., & Eggen, P. D. (2012). Learning and teaching: Research-based methods. Boston, MA: Pearson. 

Langa, M. A., and Yost, J. L. (2007). Curriculum mapping for differentiated instruction, K-8. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.  

McTighe, J., & Wiggins, G. (2004). Understanding by Design: Professional development workbook. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. 

Wortham, S. C. (2011). Assessment in early childhood education. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2011.