Course Syllabus

Spring 2024 | EDU-2045-VT01 - Curriculum Development for Early Childhood Education

In Person Class

Standard courses meet in person at CCV centers, typically once each week for the duration of the semester.

Faculty

Lyndsay Bushey
View Faculty Credentials

Hiring Coordinator for this course: Philip Crossman

Course Description

This course explores philosophical principles and practical demands of building curricula for early childhood education. Based on integrated state and national standards, emphasis is on developing a child-centered and developmentally appropriate curricula for the early years from infancy to age eight. Recommended Prior Learning: a course in child development.

Essential Objectives

1. Discuss the historical influences and evolution of early childhood education as it connects to curriculum development, theories, and practices.
2. Design curricula based on theories and research in child development that consider universal design, learning style modalities, language and literacy, mathematical thinking, nature and sciences, social studies and creative expression for early education.
3. Discuss the roles of environment (indoors and outdoors), schedule, and routine in curriculum development and implementation.
4. Assess an early education curriculum for its effective use of state and national standards (VELS and NAEYC Developmentally Appropriate Practices).
5. Practice creating meaningful content and learning experiences for children using an ongoing cycle of observation, reflection, documentation, and response.
6. Compare and contrast models of curricula, including open-ended, played-based, and more structured academic approaches.
7. Describe a variety of media and instructional technologies that may be used to enhance learning environments and curricula.
8. Explore collaborative strategies for engaging and communicating with families about curriculum planning and implementation.
9. Reflect on one’s professional role as teacher and use self-assessment techniques to enhance curricula for the children and families served in one’s practice.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

*** This is a no cost textbook or resource class. ***

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Methods

• small and large group discussions
• interactive projects and/or activities
• multimedia presentations and resources
• readings, writing, and inquiry-based research

Evaluation Criteria

This course uses a weighted categories system to calculate final grades.

Participation = 30%
Writing Assignments = 20% (6 total)
Curriculum Plans = 40% (8 total)
Presentation = 10%

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Full participation requires active and thoughtful engagement in class each week. The following habits and skills are important. You'll have the opportunity to self-assess and receive instructor feedback on each of these areas at the mid-point and the end of the semester.

• Attend class regularly, on-time and for the full session
• Complete all of the week's reading and assignments before the start of class
• Listen to others attentively and with an open mind
• Positively contribute to class discussions and activities
• Ask questions and seek help when you need it
• Challenge yourself to do your best work

Missing & Late Work Policy

• Assignments are due by the deadline noted on the syllabus, even when you need to be absent. Your work can be emailed or dropped off at the front desk.
• You are responsible for checking Canvas and getting any notes, materials and assignments for the class you missed. Please reach out and ask questions if anything is unclear.
• Plan to complete homework for the next class meeting on time. Being absent is not an excuse for not completing any homework assigned that day.
• Late work in not accepted, except in emergency situations. In the case of an extenuating circumstance, please communicate as early as you can with your instructor about the need to miss class and/or assignments.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity