Course Syllabus
Course Title:
Successful Communications for the Early Childhood Educator
Course Number:
HEO0159
Contact Hours:
16
Course Dates:
9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27
Course Hours:
6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Course Location:
Historic Building, West Palm Beach, Room 205
Professor’s Name:
Dave Wells
Textbook(s):
N/A
Course Description:
This course provides practitioners with knowledge and skills to strengthen written and oral
communication abilities through activities with authentic application in the early childhood
classroom.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

Proofread all teacher-created materials for spelling, punctuation and sentence structure
errors.

Look up words in a dictionary.

Write complete sentences when creating lesson plans.

Compose parent letters using complete sentences, proper punctuation and proper spelling.

Summarize information from journal articles.

Write a narrative passage using strong verbs and sense words
Professor Expectations/Grading:
At the end of the course, you will either receive a “U” for Unsatisfactory or an “S” for Satisfactory.
Students who attend all class sessions will receive 1.6 CEUs and a grade of Satisfactory “S”. To attain
an “S” grade and receive CEUs, students will need to complete all of the following requirements:
2
1. Class Participation: You must actively contribute to large class discussions (both in the face to face
portion and online portion of the course) and small group activities. If you are not comfortable
speaking in front of large groups, you can demonstrate your contribution by refraining from side bar
conversations, taking notes, and/or actively listening to other students and the instructor during large
group discussions. In small group activities, students must participate by contributing ideas,
suggestions, and answers for the group to present.
2. Implementation Plans: You must fully complete all IPs. Full completion means submitting your IP
with answers for each question posed and writing in complete sentences. If a question is left blank,
the instructor may ask you to resubmit your IP with the outstanding question answered. Any IP that is
partially completed will be considered incomplete. All IPs must be submitted on the date due. If a
student does not attend class, their IP must be submitted no later than the following class session.
3. Attendance: Attendance is required. Students must attend all class sessions. Students are allowed
only one class session absence and it must be due to a documented emergency (car accident, serious
illness/hospitalization, or death in family, etc.). Students with an excused absence will be given a
make-up assignment related to the material covered in the missed class, which must be completed
and turned in by the next class session. Students must contact the instructor by phone or email no
later than one day after class to inform him that they have an excused absence and to request their
make-up assignment. Students must also arrive on time. One late arrival or early departure of 15
minutes or less is permitted; additional late arrivals or early departures will be considered an
absence.
4. Course Evaluations: In order to receive an “S” grade in this course, you will need to submit a
completed Pre-Post Survey and the Corporate and Continuing Education (CCE) Workshop Evaluation
at the end of course. Your feedback and comments are vital to the ensuring that we improve the
course and ensure quality learning.
Student Code of Conduct:
PBCC has a Student Code of Conduct that is outlined in the student handbook. The classroom should be a
learning-centered environment unhindered by disruptive behavior. Faculty has the authority to manage
their classrooms to ensure that an environment conducive to learning is present, per Florida Statue 69-279
and PBCC Board Rule 6hX-18.35. Each person is to attend the seminar to learn the competencies offered and
3
apply these competencies to their workplace. If a student or students hinder the ability of others to learn,
they will be asked to leave the classroom.
Course Outline:
I.
“Creating your classroom communications”
a. Writing labels/ dictionary & thesaurus use
b. Creating signs and posters
II.
“Creating parent communications”
a. Creating newsletter items
b. Writing notes home to parents
III.
“Creating lesson plans”
a. Writing lesson plan items in complete sentences.
b. Writing objectives and outcomes in complete sentences.
IV.
Writing for personal and professional development
a. Note taking for success in trainings
b. Summarizing Early Childhood Education articles
c. Writing narrative reflections on professional growth
Materials and Special Equipment Required by Students: None
Assessment Methods: Classroom implementation plan
Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities are advised, in compliance with federal and state laws,
that accommodations and services are available through the office of Disability Support Services (DSS). It is
the student’s responsibility to contact Disabled Student Services Advisors at this location and to submit
appropriate documentation prior to receiving services.