Requirements for Child Development Practicum:
1. Seniors only
2. Successful completion of Child Development
3. Interest in working with children of all abilities
4. Complete application
Overview:
The Child Development Practicum is an elective course which offers one credit. Students will spend one period a day in an elementary classroom setting. During the period students may participate in classroom activities, assist the classroom teacher, tutor students, work one-on-one with individual students, work with small groups, check papers, design bulletin boards, and complete any other duty as assigned by the cooperating teacher. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience working with children, as well as gain insight to the preparation and follow-up work involved. You will be compiling a portfolio throughout the semester, containing a collection of reflections and data from the semester.
Requirements:
Reflections: (5 points each/ 90 points total for semester)
You will be required to write a reflection at the end of each week over the activities you observe and participate in during your practicum experience, minimum of 1 page, typed and double spaced with no larger than 12 point font. The reflections should not only outline what you did during your time, but also explore your thoughts, ideas, concerns and any questions you may have. Your reflections will go in your portfolio. They are due to Mrs. Erb at the end of each week for points and will be returned for your portfolio.
Current Events: (20 points each/ 200 points total for semester)
You will need to collect 10 current events (from newspapers, magazines, or reputable online sources) and write a ½ page summary over the article. These will go in your portfolio. Summaries should be typed and double spaced. Topics need to be relevant to activities in your classroom or child development and parenting. Five are due at midterm, and the other 5 by the end of the semester. Attach the article to the summary.
Class work: (10 points each/ 100 points total for semester)
Collect worksheets, lesson plans or other materials the teacher uses throughout the semester. You could also collect samples of student work, pictures, notes from students, or other materials used. You need to collect a minimum of 10 items for your portfolio.
Lesson plans: 50 points each/ 100 points total for semester)
You will be completing a lesson plan each quarter. Pick a topic covered by the teacher and design your lesson plan to either teach the same material using a different method or to expand on the topic. Enclosed in your packet are 3 different formats of lesson plan templates, you may choose which one you like best, or find your own template if you would like. Make sure to fill out all the fields on the lesson plan in as much detail as possible. Your cooperating teacher would be an excellent resource for you while you design your lesson. You could ask them for ideas, materials, or to critique your lesson plan and give you suggestions. You need 2 total lesson plans, one for each quarter.
Evaluations (25 points each/ 100 points total for semester)
Your cooperating teacher will be completing an evaluation of your performance and attendance. This will be done at the end of each quarter. You will also be completing a self-evaluation at the end of each quarter, evaluating how you think you are doing. This will be hung in your locker and needs turned in to me ASAP. I will return your self-evaluations and the evaluations completed by the teacher to you for you to add to your portfolio. Each evaluation is worth up to 25 points, depending on the evaluation and comments.
End of Semester Reflection (50 points total)
At the end of the 4th quarter you need to write a summative reflection paper covering what you have learned from your Child Development Practicum experience and how you plan to apply this knowledge to your future, professionally or personally. This paper needs to be 2 pages, types and double spaced using no larger than 12 points font. Use detail in describing your experience and what you have learned from your cooperating teacher and the students you have worked with.
Portfolio: (200 points/ semester test grade)
You will be assembling a portfolio of your practicum experience. All of the assignments described above need to be included in your portfolio. This portfolio will give evidence of your learning progression throughout the semester. You will need a 3-ring binder, dividers and page protectors to compile a professional portfolio. You will need the following sections in your portfolio: reflections (in which you put your weekly reflections), current events (for your 10 current even articles and summaries), class work (for any papers, pictures, etc. collect throughout the semester, need a minimum of 10 items), and lesson plans (1 each quarter), evaluations (2 self-evals and 2 teacher evals), end of semester reflection.
Expectations:
1. Attendance is mandatory. This is a class, you have to be there. You will walk past my room on your way to your classroom so that I can take attendance.
2. If you are ill you need to leave a specific message for your cooperating teacher so s/he knows you will not be there that day. Activities are arranged around your being there and your teacher needs to know to adjust those plans. This is NOT your mom’s responsibility.
3. You are responsible for letting your teacher know you will be gone if you know beforehand.
4. Keep in mind your cooperating teacher’s first and major responsibility is to the students.
5. Provide a safe and nurturing atmosphere at all times.
6. The students should be your first responsibility while in the classroom.
7. Remember you are a role-model to these students; they are watching everything you do and hearing everything you say, in and out of school. Please conduct yourself accordingly.
8. Be professional at all times, you should treat this as a job. You should not be acting on the same level as the students you are observing.
9. Follow guidance procedures, such as praising, discipline, encouraging, and correcting, as instructed by your cooperating teacher.
10. Assist your cooperating teacher in enforcing procedures, rules, expectations, and daily activities. Be responsible and do not cause unnecessary situations. Do not allow students to hang on you, do not tease students, and do not interact in a rough manner. Discipline as instructed.
11. Inappropriate behavior or excessive absences may result in removal from your practicum and zero credit for the course. The high school principal, high school guidance counselor, the cooperating teacher and the child development teacher will make this decision.
12. Your cooperating teacher and the child development teacher will complete evaluations of the practicum student.
13. If you have an area of concern, handle it in a professional manner by discussing the issue with your cooperating teacher first, if not resolved see Mrs. Erb.
I, ____________________________, have read the above overview and agree to follow the stated expectations and complete the above assignments, and any others assigned.
Student signature: ________________________ FCS Teacher: __________________________
Date: ____________________ Date: ____________________
CHILD DEVELOPMENT PRACTICUM (Based off National FCS Standards)
EARLY CHILDHOOD, EDUCATION, AND SERVICES (Occupational)
STANDARD 4: Integrate knowledge, skills, and practices required for careers in early childhood, education, and services.
BENCHMARKS:
4.1 Analyze developmentally appropriate practices to plan for early childhood, education, and services.
INDICATORS:
4.1.1 Analyze abilities and needs of children and their effects on children’s growth and development.
4.1.2 Analyze strategies that promote children’s growth and development. combine
4.2 Demonstrate integration of curriculum and instruction to meet children’s developmental needs and interests.
4.2.1 Awareness of a variety of curriculum and instructional models.
4.3 Demonstrate a safe and healthy learning environment for children.
4.3.1 Manage physical space to maintain learning.
4.3.2 Apply safe and healthy practices that comply with state regulations.
4.3.3 Implement strategies to teach children health, safety, and sanitation habits.
4.3.6 Implement basic health practices and prevention procedures for workers and children regarding childhood illness and communicable diseases.
4.3 Demonstrate techniques for positive collaborative relationships with children.
4.3.1 Demonstrate problem-solving and interpersonal skills that promote positive and productive relationships with children
4.4 Demonstrate professional practices and standards related to working with children.
4.4.1 Utilize opportunities for continuing training and education.
4.4.2 Apply professional ethical standards as accepted by the recognized professional organizations.
4.4.3 Awareness of federal, state, and local standards, policies, regulations, and laws that affect children, families, and programs.