EDU 227 - Early Childhood Curriculum and Implementation

Note: Students enrolled in Child Development Lab classes  automatically undergo a Criminal Background Check. If, as a result of the criminal background check, or if Grand Rapids Community College learns through an authoritative source, that a student has been convicted of ANY FELONY, or is listed on the  Public Sex Offender Registry, the student will be refused lab placement and removed from the course. Complete Policy Information is provided on the GRCC Education Website. 

1. Demonstrate the ability to plan and implement differentiated activities for children ages 30 months to 6 years, using observation, assessment, developmentally appropriate practices, and effective communication strategies that respect each child’s culture, home language, individual abilities, family context, and community.
2. Understand the value of documentation in informing authentic curriculum planning for teachers, visible learning experiences for children, and communication with families on the relationship between play and learning.
3. Apply a Teaching Cycle process of observing, planning, implementing, assessing, and reflecting to plan developmentally appropriate lesson plans for the following areas: group experiences, science, math, engineering, technology, creative exploration, and social/emotional learning.
4. Demonstrate appropriate relationships with children, supporting their social/emotional development through respectful interactions, positive guidance techniques, and effective communication strategies.
5. Demonstrate the awareness and ability to actively supervise an early childhood classroom by communicating and collaborating with other adults to maintain a safe and healthy environment for children.
6. Understand the importance of consistency and the role it plays in the daily schedule, classroom procedures and activities for children, and adults.
7. Model supportive interaction strategies that help children use self-regulation and language to resolve conflict and solve problems in a nurturing and respectful environment. 

II.The Importance of Play and Intentional Teaching

• Developing Curriculum for a Play Centered Approach
• Setting the Stage for Play: Environments

III. Reflective Teaching Cycle of Curriculum Planning

• Developing Curriculum through the Planning Cycle
• Documentation and Assessment
• Various Curriculum Models

IV. Managing the Classroom Environment

• Appropriate guidance techniques that support children’s self-regulation
• Consistent Daily Schedules
• Well Being and Safety

V. Anti-Bias Curriculum Planning

• Social/Emotional Development
  • Using the Pyramid Model
• Language and Literacy
• Creative and Expressive Arts
• STEM

Facilitated Discussion: 10-15%

Group Work: 10-15%

Workshops: 10-15%

Lab Experience: 35%

Student Presentation: 10-15%
Mandatory Course Components:
Lab

Weekly Lab Activities 

Weekly Lab Activity Reflections 

Rebuild Project 

Overall Lab Participation (midterm & final)

Class

Overall Lab Participation Self-Reflection (midterm & final) 

Journal Article Presentations          

Cultural Curriculum Project 

Documentation Project 

Preparing for Lab Activities

Class attendance and participation
Equivalent Courses:
None

Individual Activities and rubrics

Rebuild Project and rubric   

Cultural Curriculum Project and rubric

Documentation Project and rubric