Essay ECS 565 All Assignments GCU
ECS 565 All Assignments GCU
ECS 565 Week 1 Child-Initiated Development and Learning
As an educator, what you do to guide young children into initiating their own development and learning is crucial.
For this assignment, create a 1-2 page newsletter to give to the parents at your Birth to Pre-K center. Consider GCU’s Statement on the Integration of Faith and Work that states, “Therefore, we are assured that our work within the world matters to God and our neighbors, and that we honor God by serving others in ways that promote human flourishing, as you introduce yourself and tell the families a little about yourself in the newsletter and discuss the importance of child-initiated development and learning particular to children from Birth through Pre-K.
In addition, discuss what you, their child’s educator, will do to guide the young children into initiating their own development and learning. Be sure to include in the discussion the following:
- The importance of individual and group guidance in the development of children ages Birth to Pre-K.
- Problem-solving techniques that help young children develop supportive relationships.
- Strategies to facilitate child-initiated development and learning.
Support your findings with 3-5 scholarly resources
While APA style format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and in-text citations and references should be presented using APA documentation guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
ECS 565 Week 2 Physical Environment Plan
By this point in your degree program, you have been exposed to many different classrooms with varying layouts. It is a good idea to start planning what your ideal classroom would look like. When you have your own classroom, you may have to make adjustments due to physical space, budget, or other obstacles. However, if you have an end goal in mind, you can work toward creating the setup that best fits the needs of your students and your own personal style.
Based on your own research, use a digital tool or other appropriate strategy to create an ideal physical layout of your birth to age 2 classroom. Your layout should include how you would organize the space, materials, and resources in order to maximize progress and promote social interaction. Consider areas centered on art, library, writing, science/math, dramatic play, blocks, and puzzles/manipulatives.
In addition, write a 500-750 word research-based essay explaining your layout. Explain how you would organize space, time, and materials/resources to maximize progress and promote social interaction amongst peers, parents, and caregivers. Furthermore, discuss any special attention you would give to areas that would accommodate students with exceptionalities.
Support your findings with 3-5 scholarly resources.
Submit the physical layout and the explanation as one submission.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite Technical Support Articles is located in Course Essay Materials if you need assistance.
ECS 565 Week 2 Practicum A – Selecting a Student
Allocate at least 2 hours in the field to support this field experience.
Part 1: Selected Child Background
In the “Practicum A” section of your “Case Study Analysis Template,” write a 250-500 word description of the child you have selected. Include in your description the child’s background, gender, age in months, length of time enrolled at the center, and hours per day/week spent at the practicum/field experience setting.
Provide a rationale for choosing the child. Note: Select a pseudonym for the student to use throughout your practicum/field experience activities to maintain confidentiality for the student.
Part 2: Professional Communication
In 100-150 words, describe your plan for ongoing communication with your mentor and the family of the child that will support of his or her development and learning. Explain the roles of each member of the team, how your plan will enhance team roles, communication, and problem solving in support of the child.
Provide a rationale for your communication plan choices and explain how you will use such communication in your future professional practice.
Add to the “References” and “Appendix” sections of the “Case Study Analysis Template” accordingly.
After working with your mentor to select a child for your case study, use any remaining practicum/field experience hours to tour the practicum/field experience setting and review your course requirements and activities with your mentor teacher. Develop a plan for the hours you will spend at your practicum/field experience setting over the next several weeks, and discuss the expectations you and your mentor have for your field experiences.
Submit the completed sections of your “Case Study Analysis Template.”
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Document the locations and hours you spend in the field on your Birth-Pre-K Practicum I Verification Form.
Submit the Birth – Pre-K Practicum I Verification Form to the LMS in the last topic. Directions for submitting can be found on the College of Education site in the Student Success Center.
ECS 565 Week 3 Discipline, Guidance, and Punishment
When managing challenging behaviors in infants and toddlers, you must consider when to use guidance, redirection, or discipline. Knowing the difference between these three approaches and coaching children to recognize them is vital in their development. In addition to coaching children, it is necessary to maintain a safe learning environment in which all can learn and grow.
Part 1: Infographic
Research and find a free online resource to create an infographic that you would share with colleagues that work with students’ birth to 2 years old. The infographic should include the following information:
- Strategies to teach social skills and conflict resolution
- Strategies to prevent and reduce challenging behaviors
- Depict the differences between discipline, guidance, and punishment
Part 2: Scenario
Read the following scenario:
Janice and Jose are 3-year-olds. Janice is aiming her paint brush at Jose’s picture. Twice this morning you have asked her to stop painting on her neighbor’s pictures.
In 150-250 words, discuss whether you would use discipline, guidance, or punishment to handle this incident. Support your rationale with at least two scholarly sources.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Submit both Parts 1 and 2 as one deliverable.
ECS 565 Week 3 Practicum B – Observation I
Allocate at least 20 hours in the field to support this practicum/field experience.
Complete this assignment within the “Practicum B” section of your “Case Study Analysis Template.”
Part 1: Assessment
Using the “Milestone Development Observation Chart,” record your observations of interactions in which the child engages. Pay particular attention to the developmental domains in association with classroom activity, peer and adult interaction, student strengths and weaknesses, and theories supporting behaviors.
In addition, create one other form of raw data (e.g. frequency chart, notes, academic or social/emotional evidence) that can be shared with your mentor teacher to develop a clear assessment of the child’s interactions.
Present your observations to your mentor teacher and discuss potential areas of needed support for the child in the area of interacting with peers and adults. In 250-500 words, identify which age-appropriate milestones the child is meeting, and where additional support might benefit him or her.
Part 2: Intervention Strategies
Based on your observations of the interactions of the child, design 2-3 instructional support intervention strategies. Select one developmental area from your observation chart and design strategies that meet the specific needs of the child in that area. These strategies can be designed to be implemented by you, or in support of your mentor.
In addition, design 1-2 at-home activities to provide support in the same developmental area. Summarize each intervention strategy and at-home activity in 50-100 words, and explain how each meets the needs of the child. It is not necessary to share these activities with the child’s parents/guardians at this time.
Support your findings with a minimum of three scholarly resources.
Use any remaining practicum/field experience hours to assist the teacher in providing instruction and support to the class.
Submit the completed sections of your “Case Study Analysis Template.”
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Document the locations and hours you spend in the field on your Birth – Pre-K Practicum I Verification Form.
Submit the Birth – Pre-K Practicum Verification Form to the LMS in the last topic. Directions for submitting can be found on the College of Education site in the Student Success Center.
ECS 565 Week 4 Methods of Observation
Formative assessments are used by teachers throughout the school year to collect performance data on students for a variety of reasons. There are many different ways to perform these formative assessments. Observing young students at play is one such assessment that can yield a wealth of information.
Part 1: Graphic Organizer
After researching different types of observation methods, complete the “Methods of Observation Graphic Organizer” by describing the methods and the environment in which they are used. You may use a variety of resources for your information (research articles, teacher or school websites, etc.).
Support your findings with 3-5 scholarly resources.
Part 2: Scenario and Reflection
Respond to the scenario:
You are planning to observe one of your preschool students, Jamie, during free play to see if he is in need of services to assist him with gross motor development. Which observation method would work best for you – anecdotal records, running records, checklists, rating scales, event sampling, or time sampling?
In a 250-500 word reflection, discuss which observation method you would use to observe this student and why you feel it would be most appropriate. Describe the importance of conducting ongoing formative child, family, and setting assessments to monitor progress and instructional effectiveness and student progress.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Submit the “Methods of Observation Graphic Organizer” and reflection as one deliverable.
ECS 565 Week 4 Practicum C: Intervention Activity Implementation- Social Development
Allocate at least 8 hours in the field to support this practicum/field experience.
Complete this assignment within the “Practicum C” section of your “Case Study Analysis Template.”
Part 1: Social Development Mini-Lesson
The children within the age range you are observing should be communicating with peers through learning opportunities at a developmentally appropriate level. Your observations should provide a picture of the social development of the child within the learning environment.
Create a mini-lesson to implement with a group or class that includes the child. Review your observations to determine where the child is meeting social development milestones and where additional support might be beneficial. Use this pre-assessment data to develop a lesson plan that includes two social development activities. Your mini-lesson should include an outline of the following lesson components:
- Objectives
- Resources or Materials
- Activities
- Assessment
Once your mini-lesson is developed, share it with your mentor teacher, make appropriate changes based on his or her feedback, and then implement the lesson activity. After implementing your lesson activity, compile results of the aligned assessment to compare to the pre-assessment data and to document progress.
Part 2: Reflection
In 250-500 words, reflect upon working with your mentor teacher to create your mini-lesson, implement feedback, and discuss assessment data. In addition, rationalize your instructional decisions and reflect upon implementation of your lesson activities. Address how the unique background and social developmental needs of the child were addressed within the learning activities.
Use any remaining practicum/field experience hours to assist the teacher in providing instruction and support to the class.
Submit the completed sections of your “Case Study Analysis Template.”
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Document the locations and hours you spend in the field on your Birth – Pre-K Practicum I Verification Form.
Submit the Birth – Pre-K Practicum I Verification Form to the LMS in the last topic. Directions for submitting can be found on the College of Education site in the Student Success Center.
ECS 565 Week 5 Analyzing Emotional Competence
It is important, as a teacher, to recognize signs of emotional distress in young children and respond in developmentally appropriate ways.
Consider the following scenarios:
- Jackie, 1-year-old, seemed startled when she heard the fire alarm go off. She cried loudly even after her teacher picked her up and the fire alarm stopped ringing. The teacher held her gently and spoke softly and reassuringly to her. Jackie eventually cried less and became visibly relaxed in her teacher’s arms.
- Thomas is upset with Ruben. “You can’t play here, Ruben. You pushed me when we were in circle time,” said Thomas. Ruben responded by sweeping Thomas’s puzzle pieces off the table. Mrs. Harrel, their teacher, spoke privately with Ruben and one part of her message was this: “You can use words to tell Thomas that you are upset. Try saying, ‘I want to play with you. I’m upset because you said no.’” She had Ruben say those words, for practice. Then she said, “Would you like to tell him now?”
- Mr. Alexander noticed that his class was unusually active and even agitated after their walk to the library, and the children had difficulty settling back into their routine. Therefore, he gathered them on the carpet, turned on soft music, and led them in deep breathing exercises.
Write a 250-500 word analysis of the scenarios. Your analysis should include how the emotions were perceived by the teacher and the student, how the student expressed the emotions, and how the emotions were controlled in each scenario.
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
ECS 565 Week 5 Practicum D – Observation II
Allocate at least 20 hours in the field to support this practicum/field experience.
Complete this assignment within the “Practicum D” section of the “Case Study Analysis Template.”
Part 1: Checklist
Review the observation chart from your “Practicum B” assignment, paying attention to typical development patterns for the age range of the child. Focus on the child’s social interactions and their willingness to integrate the skills taught in the social development lesson into their learning environment.
Research potential checklists that can be used to assess the five developmental domains in young children during play. The checklist, when implemented, should help identify potential delays or intervention opportunities.
In collaboration with your mentor teacher, select or create a checklist that includes a minimum of two developmental indicators for each developmental domain. Observe the child using the checklist to determine areas of developmental weakness. Following your observations, identify potential intervention activities for addressing those areas of weakness.
Part 2: Reflection
After assessing the child with your checklist, present your findings to your mentor teacher and discuss the potential intervention activity you have identified.
In 250-500 words, summarize the data collected in your checklist, the possible intervention activity for the child, and reflect upon your conversation with your mentor teacher.
Use any remaining practicum/field experience hours to assist the teacher in providing instruction and support to the class.
Submit the checklist and the “Practicum D” section of your “Case Study Analysis Template” as one deliverable.
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Document the locations and hours you spend in the field on your Birth – Pre-K Practicum I Verification Form.
Submit the Birth – Pre-K Practicum I Verification Form to LoudCloud in the last topic. Directions for submitting can be found on the College of Education site in the Student Success Center.
ECS 565 Week 6 Social development in young children
Social development involves learning and interacting with other children, and is a critical piece in the development of a child. This learning has to be taught by the people that interact with the children most often. As children develop socially, they respond to the influences around them.
Create a one page Helpful Tips resource guide directed toward your teacher colleagues that include the following:
- How to guide young children in developing positive social behaviors.
- Social development in the area of friendship and relationship building skills.
- Strategies that can be used to teach children social skills and conflict resolution.
- How to advocate on behalf of the children and their families while respecting family choice.
Support your findings with 3-5 scholarly resources.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is/is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
ECS 565 Week 6 Practicum E: Intervention Activity Implementation- Emotional Development
Allocate at least 8 hours in the field to support this practicum/field experience.
Complete this assignment within the “Practicum E” section of your “Case Study Analysis Template.”
Part 1: Emotional Development Mini-Lesson
Create an emotional development mini-lesson to implement with the child. Review your previous observations to determine where the child is meeting emotional developmental milestones and where additional support might be beneficial. Use this pre-assessment data to develop a min- lesson that includes two separate activities that can be implemented to improve the emotional development of the child. Specifically focus on supporting transitions among settings, based on the milestones identified during observations. Your mini-lesson should include an outline of the following lesson components:
- Objectives
- Resources or Materials
- Activities
- Assessment
Once your mini-lesson is developed, share it with your mentor teacher, make appropriate changes based on his or her feedback, and then implement the lesson activity. After implementing your lesson activity, compile results of the aligned assessment to compare to the pre-assessment data and to document progress.
Part 2: Reflection
In 250-500 words, reflect upon working with your mentor teacher to create your mini-lesson, implement feedback, and discuss assessment data. In addition, rationalize your instructional decisions and reflect upon implementation of your lesson activities. Address how the unique emotional developmental needs and diverse background of the child were addressed within the learning activities.
Use any remaining practicum/field experience hours to assist the teacher in providing instruction and support to the class.
Submit the completed sections of your “Case Study Analysis Template.”
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Document the locations and hours you spend in the field on your Birth – Pre-K Practicum I Verification Form.
Submit the Birth – Pre-K Practicum I Verification Form to the LMS in the last topic. Directions for submitting can be found on the College of Education site in the Student Success Center.
ECS 565 Week 7 Infants and Toddlers with Challenging Behavior
Often children birth to age 2 exhibit difficult and challenging behaviors. How you react to these behaviors in a classroom is very important. In this assignment you will explore different ways to deal with challenging behaviors. What works for one teacher may not work for others so researching different options is important.
Create a 12-15 slide presentation that explores how to support infants and toddlers with challenging behaviors. Your presentation should include the following:
- Describe ways to assess progress in the five developmental domains, play, and temperament.
- Describe the roles, responsibilities, and processes related to integrating assessment results in the development and implementation of individualized plans.
- Describe the importance of providing social and emotional support to young children, as well as strategies to address challenging behaviors.
Include a title page, speaker’s notes, and reference page.
Support your findings with 3-5 research-based sources.
While APA format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and in-text citations and references should be presented using APA documentation guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
ECS 565 Week 8 Positive Intervention Strategies
It is important to use positive intervention strategies with challenging behavior for children. These interventions should be positive and proactive and not all should be reactive and consequence-based. Children at a young age both with exceptionalities and without need to be taught routine and recognition of their behaviors.
In a 500-750 word research-based essay, discuss the importance of positive intervention strategies particular to children in a Birth to Pre-K setting. As an educator, what can you do to promote self-efficacy related to behavior management in young children? Your essay should discuss:
- Three to five positive and proactive intervention strategies.
- How chosen intervention strategies positively support and guide children in the accessibility of the general curriculum and daily routines.
- How to provide support to families in the decisions and priorities made regarding the development of goals and intervention strategies in place for young children.
Support your finding with 3-5 scholarly resources.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is/is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
ECS 565 Week 8 Practicum F – Case Study Analysis and Presentation
Allocate at least 2 hours in the field to support this practicum/field experience.
Complete this assignment within the “Practicum F” section of your “Case Study Analysis Template.”
Part 1: Case Study Analysis and Conclusion
In 250-500 words, summarize your overall analyses and findings from the case study. Review the observations of the child you noted in the template, including how the child performed on the two mini-unit assessments. Compare your observations to determine if any developmental growth has taken place. Include additional suggestions you would share with the child’s teachers about ways to provide future support. Suggest two resources that could be shared with the family to support the natural development of their child.
Part 2: Mentor Feedback
Share your completed “Case Study Analysis Template” with your mentor teacher, and ask him or her to complete the “Case Study Analysis Presentation Evaluation Form” to provide you feedback. Incorporate this feedback into your “Case Study Analysis Template,” as well as feedback from your instructor that you received throughout the course. Describe feedback received and rationalize adjustments made within your case study in 100-250 words.
Use any remaining practicum/field experience hours to assist the teacher in providing instruction and support to the class.
Submit your completed “Case Study Analysis Template.”
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Document the locations and hours you spend in the field on your Birth – Pre-K Practicum I Verification Form
Submit the Birth – Pre-K Practicum I Verification Form to the LMS in the appropriate assignment submission space. Directions for submitting can be found on the College of Education site in the Student Success Center.