ASSIGNMENTS-- Carefully read and follow the guidelines for each assignment. Consult your instructor for clarification of guidelines.

1. Curriculum Resource Center Visit (self-guided tour)--
   Education/Social Work Building Room 1125 at IUPUI or Remote Center
   
   ^{Principles of Teacher Education: #1 Conceptual Understanding of Core Knowledge and #6 Professionalism}

Review the materials available for planning lessons/ activities-- textbooks, kits, toys, journals, and how to do magazines (Instructor, Prek-8, Early Childhood Today, etc.). Examine the newest materials according to individual publishing company. Each set of materials will have a teacher's guide and supplemental materials that can be used to support planned activities. A visit to this center will reduce your anxiety about where to look for free assistance. Request a resource center borrowing card or sticker at the end of your first visit if you do not have one already.
Completed by February 4^th


2. Project (20%)--- Age/ Developmental/ Grade Level or Entire School Newsletter [paper or electronic format]
   
   Principles of Teacher Education: #2 Reflective Practice, #3 Teaching for Understanding,  # 5 Understanding School in Context of Society and Culture, and #6 Professionalism

Create three (3) topical parent newsletters with graphics. Each newsletter (2 pages) should have at least four different sections. Include an activity for parents to do with their children in the car or on the bus. In a dyad or in a group of three people complete this assignment. A monthly calendar should be included as a fifth component for each newsletter. Make sure that each newsletter is user friendly. Remember that you want your parents to look forward to receiving each issue of the newsletter. Include telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.

DUE: February 6, 2002


3. Program Planning For Young Children: Issues-- 20% Midterm Exam (Format: 10-minute audiocassette tape, videotape, or streaming video)
   
   Principles of Teacher Education: #1 Conceptual Understanding of Core Knowledge, #2 Reflective Practice,  #4 Passion for Learning, and #6 Professionalism
   

For Kindergarten Endorsement Students:

Recently, Mr. Moore, Personnel Director for the Baltimore County Public Schools, called to inform you that you have made the final list of applicants to be considered for one of the five kindergarten teaching positions for Centralized Kindergarten program starting August, 2002. At that time, Mr. Moore described the last phase of the interview process. You are required to make a formal oral presentation for the kindergarten teaching staff, parents, principals, and interview committee. You will have TEN minutes to describe a comprehensive program for young children and convince the people present that you should be selected for one of the five kindergarten teaching positions.

Guidance: Within the allocated time, demonstrate the depth and breadth of your knowledge and understanding of the current issues impacting on Early Childhood programs. Share how you could apply what you have read, discovered, experienced and learned as a part of your formal education (classes and field experiences) to a kindergarten setting. Consult at least  three (3) sources (journal articles and one book chapter) published within the LAST TWO YEARS. Provide a bibliography using the American Psychological Association (APA) format for the references. Include copies of all sources consulted for this assignment.

The purpose of this assignment is to have experience presenting your views in a concise, coherent, and deliberate manner.

**Special Instructions: Place one audiocassette tape or videotape, readings, and two copies of the bibliography in an envelope that can be opened and closed again. Be sure that your name is on the tape as well as the envelope.

DUE: February 27, 2002

For Associate Degree Students:

Recently, Ms. Hairston, Personnel Director for the Lilly Child Development Centers, called to inform you that you have made the final list of applicants to be considered for one of the three multi-age teaching positions for the new corporate child care center located in Columbus (Indiana) starting March 1, 2002. Ms. Hairston has invited you to visit the centers prior to your final interview session. During your conversation with Ms. Hairston, you are informed that Ms. Tanner, Regional Director for the Central Indiana Centers, requires that all prospective teachers meet with her to share their ideas about quality Early Childhood programs for young children. You understand that you, also, will make an oral presentation for the teaching staff and interview committee. You will have TEN minutes to describe a quality program for young children and convince Ms. Tanner  that she should cast a favorable vote for hiring you for one of teaching positions.

Guidance: Within the allocated time, demonstrate the depth and breadth of your knowledge and understanding of the current issues impacting on Early Childhood programs. Share how you could apply what you have read, discovered, experienced, and learned as a part of your formal education (classes, volunteer activities, conferences/ seminars, and field experiences) to this preschool setting. Consult at least 3 sources (journal articles) published within the LAST TWO YEARS. Provide a bibliography using the American Psychological Association (APA) format for the references. Include copies of all sources consulted for this assignment.

The purpose of this assignment is to have experience presenting your views in a concise, coherent, and deliberate manner.

**Special Instructions: Place one audiocassette tape or videotape, readings, and two copies of the bibliography in an envelope that can be opened and closed again. Be sure that your name is on the tape as well as the envelope.

DUE: February 27, 2002

4. IUPUI Field Experience Requirement-- Working and Interacting with Children-- 50 %

Principles of Teacher Education: #1 Conceptual Understanding of Core Knowledge, #2 Reflective Practice, #3 Teaching for Understanding, #4 Passion for Learning, # 5 Understanding School in Context of Society and Culture, and #6 Professionalism

1. Participate in a selected public school kindergarten classroom, childcare center, or preschool program.
2. Coordinate lessons with the classroom teacher.
3. Observe/ Assist the children and teacher for 1 session prior to first lesson with the children.
4. Assist the classroom teacher as directed by the teacher.
5. Plan and/ or implement activities/lessons for small groups of children and /or the whole class at the assigned site. Use specified learning plan format and share your learning plans with your teacher (s) prior to implementation. Remember your lessons should allow the children to experience the world around them and challenge them simultaneously. Assist the classroom teacher where and when needed after completing your lesson(s).
6. Complete the evaluation questions for the experience.
7. Record your reaction to each participation in a dated diary that can become a part of the lesson plan (last section). See sample lesson plans.
8. Select four (4) learning plans to be evaluated for this experience. However, include all lesson/ learning plans for review.
9. Give your assigned teacher a  corrected copy of all learning plans used in the assigned classroom.
10. Do a reflection about this field experience. What would advice would you give yourself about your becoming the best teacher of young children?
11. Give your teacher and Dr. Blackwell a copy of your biography and letter to the parents.. Be sure to check spelling twice!!
12. In order to complete the field experience requirement, the reflective aspect is a critical component of this assignment. In addition to selecting your four learning plans, share your discoveries and confirmations about young children, yourself, teaching, and curriculum development in two (2) pages double spacing. Consult at least 3 journal sources for this part of the assignment. Use the American Psychological Association (APA) format for the references.
13. Write a thank you notes to: (1) the classroom teacher/ students and (2) the administrator.                                                                

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