Observation of Preschool Children Syllabus
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10
Week 1
Online Orientation
Objectives
- be familiar with the content and expectations of the course
- be familiar with the mechanics of this online course
- be aware of the advantages and challenges of taking a course in an online environment
Required Reading
- The Syllabus
- Grading Standards
- The Power of Portfolios by Lynn Cohen
- What Makes a Successful Online Student?
Learning Games
- What’s this course about?
- Are you ready to take an online course?
Discussion
Share a little about the kind of work you do, the advantage to you of taking this course online, what challenge you might have in completing this course and what you hope to gain from this online experience. Respond to at least one of your classmates.
Week 2
Overview of Portfolio Assessment
Objectives
- be able to explain the purposes of assessing young children
- understand the concept of portfolios, what they contain and how they can be useful in providing care and education for young kids
- be conscious of the professional responsibilities connected with gathering information about children
Required Reading
- NAEYC Position Paper on Curriculum, Assessment and Program Evaluation
- Assessment excerpt from Windows on Learning
- Lilian Katz on A Developmental Approach to Assessment
- Cathy Grace on The Portfolio and Its Use
- Portfolios by North Central Regional Educational Library
- Section II, Ethical Responsibilities to Families from the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment
- Job Aid on Confidentiality
Learning Game
Fact or Fiction Game
Journal Assignment--reflection on learning
Discussion
Post your thoughts/experiences on how portfolios might be useful in your program.
Week 3
Objective Observations
Objectives
- understand why it is important to gather objective information about children
- be able to conduct and record objective observations
Required Reading
- View chapter one on the Observation DVD
- You may have found observation of young children to be challenging. This article from Head Start, Overcoming Observation Challenges, addresses some of those challenges and gives some helpful hints to improve your techniques.
- Job Aids
- Guidelines for Accurate and Objective Recording
- Tips for Overcoming Preconceived Notions during Observation
- Keeping Preconceptions in Check
Learning Game
- Objective or Subjective Game
- Your Turn Game
Discussion
- How can objective observations help you know children better. Post your response and respond to the postings of two of your classmates.
- Post three objective observations based upon the following video clip of a child.
Week 4
Anecdotal Records
Objectives
- be able to observe a child and record an anecdotal record, including all of the essential components.
Required Reading
- Review chapter one on the Observation DVD
- Effective Observation Strategies from the Preschool Learning and Development Guidelines
Learning Game
- What’s Missing Game
- Your Turn
Journal Assignment--reflection on learning
Discussion
Your café assignment for this module is to view three video clips and post anecdotal records for each child using the guidelines suggested in the chapter.
Week 5
Work Samples, Photos and More
Objectives
- be able to identify when photos, videos, audios and work samples might be valuable documentation for a portfolio collection
Required Reading
- Work Samples from The Portfolio Book
- Take Photographs from The Portfolio Book
Learning Game
Photos and Work Samples Game
Discussion
For each learning, identify a form of documentation other than objective narrative that can help form a more complete picture of that child's development. Post your suggestions in the Café.
- Engages in cooperative play with peers
- Engages in conversations that develop a thought or idea
- Pedals a tricycle
- Draws a picture related to a story and talks about his or her drawing
- Writes three or more numbers or letters
Week 6
Checklists and other Quantitative Tools
Objectives
- be familiar with how to use various quantitative recording techniques, including event sampling, time sampling, frequency counts and checklists or rating scales
- be able to identify when the use of these tools would be a valuable contribution to a child’s portfolio
Required Reading
- Event Sampling from Seeing Young Children
- Frequency Counts or Duration Records
- Time Samples from Week by Week
- Activity charts, checklists, and rating scales from The Portfolio and Its Use
- Excerpt from Power of Observation
Learning Games
- Crossword Puzzle Game
- Test Your Knowledge Game
Journal Assignment--reflection on learning
Discussion
Are you already using some of these tools in your program? Are you thinking now of including additional quantitative tools? Please post your experiences, suggestions and plans in the Café.
Week 7
Organizing an Observation System
Objectives
- be able to design your own system for the systematic collection of information of each child, including recording tools, storage systems and a plan for organizing time to be able to collect and organize the information
Required Reading
- View chapter two of the Observation DVD
- Observation in Early Childhood Classrooms: Advice from the field by Ann Benjamin
- Building Portfolios from The Portfolio and Its Use
- Ways to keep anecdotal records
- Excerpt from Power of Observation
Learning Games
Which one is wrong? game
Discussion
Post a description of a system that works for you, including recording tools, storage systems and a plan for organizing time to be able to collect and organize the information.
Week 8
Involving Families and Children
Objectives
- involve families in the portfolio and assessment process on an ongoing basis
- involve children in the portfolio and assessment process on an ongoing basis
Required Reading
- Working with Parents to Enhance Observations from Observation and Recording: Tools for Decision Making
- Reflective Portfolios by Amy Smith
Learning Games
True or Not True Game
Journal Assignment--reflection on learning
Discussion
Do you already use your families and children as resources for evaluating children’s growth and development? Have you gotten any new ideas from these reading? Please visit the Café to share your own experiences, challenges and thoughts with your peers.
Week 9
Implications of Findings for Individual Children
Objectives
- assess each child’s growth over time
- plan for each child’s further growth and development
- communicate with families and support transitions to the next class
Required Reading
- Optional Child Summary Form
- Chapter three of the Observation DVD
- Interpreting and Using Observation Results from Observing and Recording: Tools for decision making
- Know how to use the information to look at one child
- From observations to curriculum planning
- Assessing Justin’s Block Play by Sharon MacDonald
- Communicating with Families: Building Relationships
Learning Games
- Order It Game
- True or False Game
- Your Turn
Written Assignment
- Write an series of objective narrative description from video clips
- Identify trends and conclusions about the child, and write a summary description of the child’s development in one area
- Identify strategies to scaffold this child’s development
Week 10
Implications of Findings for the Group
Objectives
- make decisions about curriculum and environment for the group
Required Reading
- Beyond Outcomes by Diane Tristar Dodge
- The Contribution of Documentation to the Quality of Early Childhood Education
- From observation to program evaluation
Learning Games
- Crossword Puzzle
- Assessment and Curriculum Game
- Your Turn
Written Assignment
Using a Summary Report for a group, you are asked to:
- Identify three areas that you would focus on for the next assessment period.
- Identify at least three activities, experiences and materials to support the entire groups growth in these areas.