DEPARTMENT OF TEACHING AND LEADERSHIP
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY
FALL 2011
______________________________________________________________________________
Course Number: EDUC 320-01
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: Dr. Frank Miller
Title: Early Childhood Foundations and Curriculum
Course Time Schedule: M-W-F 8:00-8:50
Office Phone: 620-235-4493
Office: 112F Hughes Hall
E-Mail: fmiller@pittstate.edu
Office Hours: M-W-F 9:00-10:00 11:00-12:00
Tu-Th 9:30-11:00 12:30-1:00
______________________________________________________________________________
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
Covers the full spectrum of early childhood education from kindergarten through third grade. History, curriculum, program applications, and current trends and issues are examined. The course includes an overview of various curricular models with special emphasis upon examining and designing curriculum materials that foster competence in children in all areas of the self: physical, emotional, social, aesthetic, and cognitive.
Course may be taken for departmental honors.
II. PREREQUISITES
Student must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in Explorations in Education
(EDUC 261) or Clinical Experience (EDUC 307).
III. PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
The purpose of this course is to provide future elementary school teachers with the historical, philosophical, theoretical, and practical orientations that will enable them to work with children from kindergarten through third grade. The course prepares students to identify and implement effective early childhood education programs by designing and using developmentally appropriate curriculum methods and materials.
IV. COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, the student will: have a basic understanding of historical, philosophical, psychological, and social foundations of early childhood education and how these foundations influence current thought and practice; understand that students’ physical, social, emotional, moral, and cognitive development influence learning and know how to address these factors when making instructional decisions (PE 2K2);

understand how children differ in their development and approaches to learning and know how to create instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners (EC/LC 7K4); create learning environments using concrete manipulative materials and the integrative function of play as instruments for enhancing development and learning;
Design, implement, and evaluate literacy experiences that are developmentally appropriate (EC/LC 1P1); select arts experiences appropriate to developmental levels of students (EC/LC
5P1); select and/or create and evaluate developmentally appropriate content, learning materials, and activities that meet individual needs of children within the context of an integrated curriculum that includes curricular areas such as language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, drama, and movement.
In addition to the objectives listed above, the course will also address the following PSU
Effective Teaching Skills Indicators:
1. Is dependable, flexible, and punctual. (See Attendance Policy on page 3.)
2. Maintains a consistently positive and professional demeanor. (See
Professionalism Policy on page 3.)
12. Practices self-evaluation and reflection to enhance instructional effectiveness.
19. Develops clear short and long-term instruction plans (e.g., lesson plans, units, and/or modules) that include objectives, materials, activities, adaptations/modifications and evaluation techniques based on the curriculum objectives.
21. Selects materials and activities consistent with the objectives of the lesson and students’ diverse abilities resulting in appropriate adaptations and modifications.
22. Has knowledge of and plans developmentally appropriate instruction.
32. Utilizes various instructional strategies appropriate for the objectives of the lesson.
33. Incorporates differentiated instruction to meet the academic needs of all students.
34. Uses available educational technologies for effective instruction
V. REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
No textbook is required for this course. Required reading will consist of a number of journal articles to be provided by the course instructor.
2
VI. INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES

• Handouts from instructor
• Resource books, children’s books, and manipulative materials from Instructional
Resource Center (IRC)
• Videos and other audio/visual media
• Internet resources
• ANGEL Learning Management System
VII. TEACHING STRATEGIES
Lecture and demonstration
Reading in resource books and periodicals
Discussion
Cooperative learning projects and activities
Student presentations
Use of videos and other audio/visual media
VIII. REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION
A. ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance and participation in class activities are essential for successful completion of this course. Students are expected to be in attendance for each class session except in case of emergency. In accordance with Curriculum & Instruction departmental policy, if a student has six absences (excused or unexcused), the course instructor reserves the right to drop the student from the course. If a student is allowed to remain in the class following the 6th absence due to extenuating circumstances, the final grade will be lowered one letter grade with the 6 th absence and another letter grade for each subsequent absence. The department has adopted this policy in order to ensure that teacher candidates obtain the necessary background in all curricular areas that will enable them to become effective educators.
B. PROFESSIONALISM
Teacher candidates are expected to maintain professional demeanor at all times.
Examples of professionalism include showing respect by listening to the instructor and other class members when they are speaking to the class; participating in class activities and discussions; refraining from texting or working on other course assignments during class time; turning in assignments on due dates; arriving to class on time and staying for the entire class period, except in the case of emergencies.
C. ACADEMIC HONESTY
Students are expected to cite sources for activities and other resources used in this course as appropriate.
3
D. ACTIVITIES

1. Reading assignments, in-class projects, and daily quizzes (25 points) . Five points will be deducted from the final course grade for each assignment not completed.
Students must be in attendance to receive credit for these assignments.
2. Develop and present a group game . Have a copy of the directions for the activity
to give to the course instructor (5 points).
3. Develop a Thematic Unit Web on a topic of your choice (5 points).
4. Present an art activity appropriate for the age group of your choice (K-3). Have
a copy of the directions for the activity to submit to the course instructor
(5 points).
5. Develop and present an extended literature activity related to a picture book of your choice (5 points).
6. Present a drama activity appropriate for the age group of your choice (K-3).
Have a copy of the directions for the activity to submit to the course instructor
(5 points).
7. Present a storytelling activity appropriate for the age group of your choice (K-3).
Have a copy of the directions for the activity to submit to the course instructor
(5 points).
8. Design a math learning center to develop a mathematical concept or a science
learning center to develop a scientific concept. Each center should have three activities with varying levels of difficulty to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Additional criteria for the centers will be provided in class (5 points).
9. Develop and present a self-concept/self-awareness activity . Have a copy of the directions for the activity to submit to the course instructor (5 points).
10. Present a song or music activity appropriate for the age group of your choice
(K-3). Have a copy of the words to the song or directions for the activity to submit to the course instructor (5 points).
11. Make a resource file containing activities for five thematic units. Each unit should have a minimum of five activities (e.g., drama activities, art activities, songs, games, finger plays, etc.) related to the unit theme and appropriate for children in grades K-3. Be prepared to share your resource file with the course instructor on or before the due date (10 points).
* NOTE: Students must complete all of the above assignments in order to receive
credit for the course
E. EXAMINATIONS
4

There will be a take home mid-term examination (10 points) and a take home final examination (10 points). Additional information and criteria for the examinations will be provided in class.
F. SCORE POSTING AND GRADING
Test scores and feedback will be provided to students by the course instructor. Final course grades will be based on the following criteria:
In-Class Projects and Daily Quizzes ------------------- 25 points
Student Presentations and Assignments --------------- 45 points
Resource File --------------------------------------------- 10 points
Mid-Term Exam ----------------------------------------- 10 points
Final Exam ----------------------------------------------- 10 points
The grading system for final course grades will be as follows:
A = 90-100 points
B = 80-89 points
C = 70-79 points
D = 60-69
F = 59% or lower
IX. COURSE CONTENT
Aug 22: Course Introduction
Aug 24, 26, 29:
Aug 31, Sep 2:
Child Development Theories
Role of Play in Child Development
Sep 7, 9, 12: Creating the Curriculum (Thematic Units)
Develop a Thematic Unit Web (in-class project)
Sep 14:
Sep 16, 19:
Sep 21, 23:
Sep 26, 28, 30,
Oct 3, 5:
Creating the Learning Environment (Learning Centers)
Art
Art Presentations
Literacy
Oct 7: Extended Literature Activity presentations
5
Oct 10, 12, 14: Drama

Oct 17:
Oct 19:
Oct 21:
Oct 24:
Oct 26, 28:
Oct 31, Nov 2:
Nov 4, 7, 9, 11:
Nov 14:
Nov 16, 18:
Nov 21:
Nov 23, 25:
Nov 28, 30:
Dec 2, 5, 7:
Dec 9:
Mid-Term Exam (take home) due on Oct 10
Drama Presentations
Storytelling
Fall Break!
Storytelling Presentations
Math
Science
Social Studies
Self-Concept/Self-Awareness Activity Presentations
Music/Movement
Nov 18 - Math or Science Learning Center Plan due
Music Activity Presentations
Thanksgiving Holidays!
Sensory Activities
Resource Files Due
Guiding Children’s Behavior
Final Exam (take home) due on Dec 7
The First Days of School