CIEE 504:  TEACHING STRATEGIES FOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

DEPARTMENT:  Department of Teacher Education            SEMESTER:  Spring, 2000

COURSE DESIGNATOR & NUMBER:  CIEE 504              SEMESTER HOURS:  3

CATALOG DESCRIPTION
Existing and emerging theory and practice relating to experiential education.  Focus on direct, active involvement of learners in developing their educational environment and outcomes.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
On completion of the course, the student is expected to…

1. Develop a sound, basic understanding of experience-based learning; that is, goal setting, planning, project development, site analysis for experience-based learning, integration and basic processes, especially process for social interaction and communication.

2. Develop an understanding of the philosophical and theoretical rationale for experience-based learning.

3. Develop an awareness of existing instructional models for experience-based learning.

4. Develop strategies and experience-based instructional methods appropriate for culturally diverse students and those with special needs.

5. Develop strategies for using experiential learning in teaching about cultural pluralism.

TEXTS – REQUIRED
Ayers, W.  (1995).  To become a teacher.  New York:  Teachers College Press.

Kuroyanagi, T.  (1996). Totto-chan: The little girl at the window.  New York:  Kodansha International.

Ladson-Billings, G.  (1994). The dreamkeepers: Successful teachers of African American children.  San Francisco:  Jossey-Bass
Publishers.

McCracken, J. B.  (1993). Valuing diversity: The primary years.  Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young
Children.

Wolfinger, D. M., & Stockard, J. W., Jr.  (1997)  Elementary methods:  An integrated curriculum.  New York:  Longman.

TEXTS – RECOMMENDED
Kamii, C., ed.  (1990). Achievement testing in the early grades:  The games grown-ups play.  Washington, D. C.:  National
Association for the Education of Young Children.

Kostelnik, M.J., Soderman, A.K., & Whiren, A.P. (1999).  Developmentally appropriate curriculum: Best practices in early childhood
education.  Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, Inc.

Wasserman, S.  (1990).  Serious players in the primary classroom.  New York:  Teachers College Press.

ATTENDANCE AND GRADING
You are allowed one absence--no questions asked.  After that, excused absences are only those accompanied by a medical excuse
signed by a doctor.  Showing up more than 10 minutes late without a signed excuse will be considered an unexcused absence.
100 total points are calculated as follows:                           Grades calculated as follows:
Class Participation (includes attendance) - 15                          A:  91 – 100
Curriculum Resource File - 10                                                B:  81 - 90
Primary Teacher Interviews - 15                                            C:  71 - 80
Learning Center - 25                                                             D:  61 - 70
Integrated Thematic Unit - 35                                                F:  less than 61

CALENDAR
    WEEK 1: JANUARY 18
        Course description and details
        “The Social and Psychological Dimensions of Educational Change”

    WEEK 2: JANUARY 25
        Kuroyanagi:  Totto-Chan:  The Little Girl at the Window
        “Understanding the Long-Term Impact of Schools”

    WEEK 3: FEBRUARY 1
        Ayers:  Introduction and Part I
        DUE:  Curriculum Resource File

    WEEK 4: FEBRUARY 8
        Ayers:  Part II
        Wassermann:  Part I

    WEEK 5: FEBRUARY 15
        Ayers:  Part III
        Wassermann:  Chapters 6, 12, 13

    WEEK 6: FEBRUARY 22
        Ayers:  Chapters 15-16, Conclusion, Appendix A
        Wassermann:  to be announced

    WEEK 7: FEBRUARY 29
        DUE:  Primary Teacher Interviews

    WEEK 8: MARCH 7
        Wolfinger:  Part I

    WEEK 9: MARCH 14– NO CLASS (SPRING BREAK)

    WEEK 10: MARCH 21
        Wolfinger:  Chapters 5 & 6
        McCracken:  Part I

    WEEK 11: MARCH 28
        Wolfinger:  Chapters 7 & 8
        McCracken:  Part II

    WEEK 12: APRIL 4
        DUE:  Learning Centers

     WEEK 13: APRIL 11
        Wolfinger:  Part III
        Ladson-Billings:  Chapters 1 & 2

    WEEK 14: APRIL 18
        Wolfinger, Part IV
        Ladson-Billings:  Chapters 3-5

    WEEK 15: APRIL 25 – GUEST SPEAKER

    WEEK 16: MAY 2
        Ladson-Billings:  Chapters 6 & 7

    WEEK 17: MAY 9 (Finals Week)
        In-class presentations of integrated thematic units

ASSIGNMENTS

Class Participation (15 pts.)
Students are expected to complete all reading assignments and to contribute actively and consistently in class discussions.  Attendance will be factored into your class participation score.

Curriculum Resource File (10 pts.)
Students will compile an annotated bibliography of resources in each of the following curricular areas:  music (2), art (2), movement (1), drama (1), diversity and/or multicultural education (2), other (your choice) (2).  At least two resources must be from the Internet.  Each resource will be written up in a ½-page format and will include the following:
1. Complete bibliographical information.
2. Where did you find this resource?
3. What do you like about this resource?
4. What don’t you like about this resource?
5. Noteworthy additional information.

Primary Teacher Interviews (15 pts.)
Students will interview three primary-level teachers (at different schools, teaching different grades, working with different populations) and write up a summary of the interviews in a 3-4 page, typed, double-spaced essay addressing the following:
1. How much of your curriculum is dictated by your school or district and how much of your curriculum are you free to develop as you see fit?
2. In what ways do you implement developmentally appropriate practice in your classroom?  In what ways is it difficult to implement DAP in your classroom?
3. What advice would you give to new teachers to ease their first years of teaching?
4. What are two resource books you’d recommend to beginning teachers?
5. In what ways do you incorporate art and crafts, music, movement, drama, group games, and multicultural education into your classroom?  (Be specific and go through each area.)
6. 2-3 of your own questions

Learning Center (25 pts.)
Students will prepare a learning center, using at least two reference books.  Projects will be shared in class.  Complete instructions will be provided.

Integrated Thematic Unit (35 pts.)
Students will develop an integrated thematic unit.  Projects will be shared in class during finals week.  Complete instructions will be provided.

back to course information