ELE 3110 Section 002 Curriculum & Instruction in Middle Level Fall 2007 Instructor: Linda Sherwood Location: McAfee Gym 2611 Time: 8:00-9:40 M W Office: BB 1323 Office Hours: 1:00-2:30 M W; 10:00-12:00 T and/or by appointment Telephone: Office = 217-581-7830 Home = 217-382-5772 E-mail: [email protected] Theme: Educator as creator of effective educational environments – integrating diverse students, subjects, strategies, and societies. Course Description: Topics include instructional models, assessment methods, models for classroom management and discipline, parent-school community involvement, familiarity with the Illinois Learning Standards, and school law. Proficiency is required in lesson planning, manuscript and cursive handwriting, and the use of the equipment in the Instructional Technology Center. Outcomes for all ELE classes: • Develop a desire of lifelong learning in students and personally display one’s own desire for learning, including self-evaluation skills • Demonstrate good communications skills • Demonstrate/exhibit sensitivity to students’ feelings • Design instruction to develop and utilize the cognitive processes by which pupils learn • Manage the classroom to optimize academically engaged time • Perform successfully within the social and political contexts of school and community • Demonstrate knowledge of facts, and an understanding of fundamental principles, ideas, and relationships among various knowledge domains • Demonstrate knowledge of past and present developments, issues, research, and social influences in the field of education Outcomes specific to ELE 3110: • Using a variety of assessment and evaluation procedures, demonstrate alternative instructional methods to teach the designated curriculum in order to achieve similar learning outcomes • Using the designated curriculum and Illinois Learning Standards, design instruction to meet the needs of all students and foster a desire to learn • Provide for the uniqueness of individuals, recognizing the characteristics of culturally pluralistic and “at risk” populations, and foster appreciation for those differences • Model appropriate professional behavior • Design instruction to promote a healthy self-concept in students • Demonstrate alternative methods of achieving similar learning outcomes. Decide what will be learned and ways to achieve it Course Goal: The goal of this course is to provide proven teaching methods coupled with effective instructional theory to pre-service teachers. We want to develop the premise that the teacher is an educational leader and decision-maker who directly affects the students and influences the presentation of subject matter. We will offer a broad spectrum of instructional methodologies, techniques, and approaches that are workable in today’s classroom. Course Texts: Muth, Denise K., Alvermann, Donna E., (1999). Teaching and Learning in the Middle Grades. (2nd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Charles, C. M. (2005). Building Classroom Discipline. (8th ed.). New York: Longman.Brief Assignment Descriptions: Departmental two week core unit: Design and present in class a two week unit. The unit should contain the following: 1. Illinois State Goals 2. Rationale and objectives 3. Materials needed 4. Implementation procedures 5. Assessment tools 6. Incorporate five (5) www sites 7. Post one lesson plan on Live Text. Leadership of Discussion/Personal Discipline Plan: Lead the class in discussion concerning one style of discipline. The purpose of the discussion is to facilitate thinking and to explore alternate ideas while allowing for equal participation and contribution of opinions and thoughts about various modes of discipline. Based on text, practicum experience, and classroom discussion, select/design a discipline plan, which you feel provides the best environment for learning and teaching within your classroom Journal Reviews/ Film Review: Read two professional journals or articles that deal with any aspect of education. Write a one-page reflection about your findings include referencing the article. Reflections will be written on films viewed in class. Mid Term Final Exam: The final exam will include a reflective piece to show the insights gained about what makes an exemplary teacher. Participation/Goal Achievement: All notes, in-class work, and assignments should be kept neatly organized in a three-ring binder. These will be reviewed during the final exam and used to aid in evaluating class participation. You also will be expected to establish at least one personal goal for this course, reporting at the end of the semester your attempts and efforts to attain that particular goal. Component of Middle School: A group presentation of one component of the middle school will be demonstrated: interdisciplinary units, teaming, exploratory, advisory, scheduling, grouping practices, academic enrichment. You need a lesson plan for the instructor, group participation for the class, and a handout for each class member. Attendance: Consistent attendance is a basic expectation and extremely important to educational progress. You are expected to notify the instructor prior to any absence. LiveText: Students who do not successfully complete the required performance assessments will earn less than a “C” for the course. a. Participation/Goal 10 b. Article reviews/reaction paper to films 30 c. Unit of study/web sites 100 d. Mid-Term and Final 100 e. Group presentation of discipline plan 75 f. Group presentation of one core component of middle school 35 Grading Scale: 100-92 = A *All information in this syllabus should be considered subject 91-82 = B to change based upon the instructor’s discretion. 81-72 = C 71-62 = D **If you need course adaptations or accommodations due to a disability, please make an appointment to see me as soon as possible or contact the Director of Disability