DEPARTMENT: Department of Teacher Education                                                            SEMESTER: Fall, 2000

COURSE DESIGNATOR & NUMBER: CICE 282                                                          SEMESTER HOURS: 1

CATALOG DESCRIPTION

Pre-student-teaching practicum. Students are required to participate in a minimum of 30 clock hours per credit hour. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 semester hours of credit. S/U grading basis is used. PRQ: consent of Office of Clinical Education.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The main purpose of this clinical experience is to give students an opportunity to have direct contact with young children, under the guidance of a cooperating teacher and university supervisor. By the end of the course, students should be able to:

1.     Observe and record children’s behavior.

2.     Work with individual children and groups of children in planned activities.

3.     Keep a reflective journal of experiences and collect portfolio entries for children.

4.     Be aware of children’s special needs, cultural differences, and other aspects of diversity.

5.     Work effectively and cooperatively with other adults in a classroom.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

            1.    Group meetings: Attendance at orientation meeting and closing meeting is mandatory.

            2.    Weekly journals: A reflective journal entry is due by 4pm every Monday. Leave your journal entry in the container outside of my office door (GA 162-E). Include observations of the children, your cooperating teacher, the classroom, and the school. Also include feelings and insights about your personal successes and frustrations. Each entry must be typed or computer-generated, double-spaced, 12-pt font, 1-inch margins on all sides, and no more than one page in length. Samples of possible journal formats are attached.

            3.    Attendance: Because of the short duration of this clinical, you are allowed only one absence. Additional absences must be made up—using afternoons or Fridays if necessary.

            4.   Requirements:

• Participate in a state-funded pre-kindergarten classroom for a three week period, attending four mornings per week (Monday through Thursday) from 8:15-11:45am.
• Attend at least once on a Friday (more often, if possible) in order to participate in parent-teacher conferences, school-wide activities, in-service trainings, developmental screenings, home visits, toy learning center, etc.
• Plan and conduct at least one small group activity and one large group activity. Work with your cooperating teacher to determine the nature and planning of these activities.
• Collect portfolio entries for one child, selected in consultation with your cooperating teacher. Portfolio items can include developmental checklists, daily anecdotal notes, parent interviews, photos, samples of children’s work, etc. Portfolio entries must be submitted at the time of our closing group meeting.
• Cooperate with teachers, classroom aides, other students, and other school personnel.
• Assist your cooperating teacher as requested.


5.    Responsibilities:

• If you will be late or absent, you must call the school (815-754-9546), your university supervisor (815-753-9337), and a student in your 282 group. Make up time is required for tardiness and absences.
• Dress and conduct must be professional. When in doubt, consult with your cooperating teacher or university supervisor. In general, err on the side of caution.
• Respect the children, the program, and the teachers with whom you work.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Make the most of this experience! Try new things, enjoy the children, and get to know other teachers.
• Schedule regular discussion times with your cooperating teacher, as time allows. Encourage open communication.
• Meet with your university supervisor as scheduled and as necessary.
• Send a written thank you note to the school and to your cooperating teacher upon completion of your clinical experience.


6.     Evaluation: Weekly evaluation forms will be completed by your cooperating teacher. As your university supervisor, I will observe you and complete visitation reports at least twice during the three-week clinical experience. A final evaluation form will be completed and signed by you, your cooperating teacher, and me. The final evaluation must be returned to me by the time of our closing group meeting.

In order to achieve an "S," students are expected to fulfill all of the requirements and responsibilities listed above. Failure to attend the site as scheduled (including making up any absences or tardiness) will result in an automatic "U."

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