Seminar on the At-Risk Child
CI 3540 – 426
Spring, 2010
Professor - Dr. Bill Peacock
Office: Duncan Hall – 116-C
Telephone: 262-2025
e-mail - peacockws@appstate.edu
Office Hours: 10:30–12:30 – Mon., Wed.; 8-10 – Tues., Thurs.; otherwise, by appointment
Text Frieman, B., What Teachers Need to Know About Children at Risk
Johnson, L., Dangerous Minds
Hayden, T., Beautiful Child
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Gruwell, The Freedom Writer’s Diary
Additional Readings and Resources Selected articles provided in class or referenced electronically
Course Description The course will explore the current literature and practices related to teaching/learning about at-risk
students. We will examine characteristics of at-risk learners and effective teaching strategies and
programs for those students.
The course will include lectures, class, and small group discussion, with heavy emphasis upon discussion
of readings and lecture materials.
Course Expectations 1.
Class attendance and participation –
•
REGULAR AND PUNCTUAL ATTENDANCE IS EXPECTED. Please notify the instructor of
any planned absences.
•
Student participation is vital to the quality of this course experience and authentic dialogue is
essential to the creative work that we will do together. You will be judged critically in this area.
You should ask yourself if your voice has been heard in this class on a regular basis.
•
Assignments are for the day of class as listed on the course schedule. They will serve as the basis
for our discussions. Please be prepared to share your observations of the reading material, and
whenever possible, feel free to relate that material to your own life experiences.
2.
Written assignments –

Reflective summary papers – You will be asked to provide written reflections related to the text materials used
in this course. Your reflections should include connections to teaching/learning within the context of our atrisk discussions. Papers should be 1-3 pages in length.

D.C. Trip preparation and evaluation – You will be asked to do outside research in preparation
for your D.C. trip and report on your findings. You will also be responsible for developing a set
of relevant questions in anticipation of the trip experience. Finally, you will be required to
provide written and class discussion reflection of that experience.
The quality of your writing is every bit as important as your verbal communication so – PROOFREAD
ALL WRITTEN WORK.
NOTE ALL WRITTEN GRADED ASSIGNMENTS SHOULD BE SENT ELECTRONICALLY TO
peacockws@appstate.edu WITH CI 3540 AS PART OF THE E-MAIL SUBJECT HEADING.
3.
Group/Individual presentations –
As an individual, or as a member of a group, you will be asked to make a presentation and lead a
discussion related to an at-risk learner phenomenon.
Final Grade
Attendance and Class Participation - 35%
Written Assignments – 50% (5 papers)
Individual/Group Presentation - 15%
NOTE – OUR SYLLABUS IS A “LIVING” DOCUMENT. IT ALMOST SURELY WILL CHANGE
AS THE SEMESTER EVOLVES. BE PATIENT AND FLEXIBLE!
TENTATIVE Schedule
WEEK 1
1/11 – Introductions & syllabus discussion
1/13 – Small group presentation research
Form groups with assignments related to Frieman, Children At Risk
1/15 – Class presentations/discussion
WEEK 2
1/18 – State Holiday
1/20 - Class presentations/discussion
1/22 – Johnson, Dangerous Minds – Chapters 1- 5
WEEK 3
1/25 - Johnson, Dangerous Minds – Chapters 6 – 13
1/27 – Johnson, Dangerous Minds – Chapters 14-16
1/29 - Johnson, Dangerous Minds – Chapters 17-22
WEEK 4
2/1 - Summary discussion of Johnson, Dangerous Minds
Written reflection is due by Sunday, 2/8 via e-mail at peacockws@appstate.edu
2/3 - Hayden, Beautiful Child –
Chapters 1 – 8
2/5- Hayden, Beautiful Child –
Chapters 9 – 17
WEEK 5
2/8 - Hayden, Beautiful Child –
Chapters 18 – 24
2/10 - Hayden, Beautiful Child –
Chapters 25 – 35
2/12 – Summary discussion of Hayden, Beautiful Child –
Written reflection is due by Sunday, 2/15 via e-mail at peacockws@appstate.edu
WEEK 6
2/15 – Educating Peter
2/17 – Graduating Peter
2/19 – Summary discussion of Educating/Graduating Peter
Written reflection is due by Sunday, 2/22 via e-mail at peacockws@appstate.edu
WEEK 7
2/22 - Diary of Anne Frank –
pp 1 - 70
2/24 - Diary of Anne Frank
pp 71 - 140
2/26 - Diary of Anne Frank
pp 141 - 210
WEEK 8
3/1 - Diary of Anne Frank
pp 211 - 283
3/3 - Summary discussion of Diary of Anne Frank
Written reflection is due by Sunday, 3/8 via e-mail at peacockws@appstate.edu
3/5 - Freedom Writers’ Diary
Sections I & II
WEEK 9
3/8 – 3/12 – SPRING BREAK
WEEK 10
3/15 - Freedom Writers’ Diary
Sections III & IV
3/17 -Freedom Writers’ Diary
Sections V & VI
3/19 – Freedom Writers’ Diary
Sections VII & VIII
WEEK 11
3/22 – STATE HOLIDAY
3/24 – Summary discussion of Freedom Writers’ Diary
Written reflection is due by Sunday, 3/29 via e-mail at peacockws@appstate.edu
3/24 – In-class research related to the D.C. trip
We will meet in the computer lab.
 As you review the D.C. school web sites, make written observations related to school facilities;
the curriculum; expectations related to student behavior, academic performance, etc.
 Develop 5 – 10 questions that you would like to ask teachers, students or school administrators at
the D.C. schools.
 Ponder the question, “Why might this D.C. school visit be a focus of CI 3540?”
 Ponder possible connections between The Diary of a Young Girl and your visit to the Holocaust
Museum.
WEEK 12
3/29 – Class discussion of  D.C. schools websites
 5 – 10 questions which you want o have answered by your D.C. experience
 Why is this trip part of our at-risk focus?
3/31 –
4/2 – D.C. Trip
WEEK 13
4/5 – STATE HOLIDAY
D.C. Trip follow-up discussion (See research questions above)
Written reflective paper is due Sunday, 4/12 via e-mail at peacockws@appstate.edu
4/7 – Boys of Baraka - PBS documentary
4/9 - Boys of Baraka - PBS documentary
WEEK 14
4/12 –
4/14 - Boys of Baraka – Discussion questions
4/16 – OPEN Discussion
Review Final Written Reflections Paper assignment. This is to be handed in as a hard copy on 4/27.
WEEK 15
4/19 - Bang, Bang, Your Dead
4/21 – Bang, Bang, Your Dead
4/23- Bang, Bang, Your Dead - Discussion questions
WEEK 16
4/26 – Final class meeting