SUNY ORANGE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT COURSE SYLLABUS COURSE #: EDU 208 I NAME: Home, School and Community: Families and Teachers as Partners INSTRUCTOR: Pamela Burns SEMESTER: Spring 2008 PHONE: 341-4367 OFFICE: Sarah Wells Room 101 EMAIL: pam.burns@sunyorange.edu HOURS: As posted, or by appointment COURSE DESCRIPTION This course will address issues in communication, barriers to effective dialogue, active listening, conflict resolution, and classroom expectations of families and teachers. Parenting styles, skills and community, as well as local resources and referrals will be considered. Diversity and multicultural awareness and importance will be stressed and celebrated. A grade of C or better is required to continue and graduate in the AAS/Certificate program. Prerequisite: EDU 101 Pre/Co-requisite: EDU 102 3 lecture hours 3 credits RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAMS This course is part of the AAS in Early Childhood, but may be applicable to other programs. Consult your advisor and refer to the SUNY Orange catalog for further information and advice. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES 1. Recognize the demographics of the modern family. 2. Interpret the roles that parents, teachers, schools, and communities play in education. 3. Identify the legal, corporate, and advocacy dimensions of the community play as an educational resource. 4. Examine perspectives on family involvement in teacher-school partnerships. 5. Define the benefits and barriers to teacher-family relationships. 6. Identify and explain possible emotional responses of parents and the implications for teachers. 7. Identify six (6) attitudes or ideas of teachers that are conductive to forming an effective teacher-school partnership. 8. Recognize advantages and problems of parent involvement in the classroom. 9. Identify the steps a teacher can take to ease transitional times; i.e., separation from adult, switching activities, change of teacher. 10. Appraise the separation experience for child and parent. 11. Design methods for positive partnerships among children, families, teachers, and schools. 12. Formulate parent education programs. 13. Appraise how schools can work with families of diverse backgrounds. 14. Assess how schools can work with families in stressed or hostile situations. REQUIRED TEXT Home, School, and Community Relations, C. Gestwicki, Delmar Publishers, 6th ed. COURSE CONTENT 1. Families Today 2. Parenting 3. A Study in Diversity 4. What is Family Involvement? 5. Teacher-Family Partnerships � Benefits and Barriers 6. Foundations for Positive Teacher-Family Partnerships 7. Formal and Informal Teacher-Family Communication 8. Family Involvement in Classrooms 9. Parent Education 10. It Takes A Village 11. Attention to Families of Diverse Backgrounds 12. Attention to Families in Special Situations 13. Causes and Solutions to Teacher-Family Tensions 14. Successful Programs � Models and Methods MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS/ACTIVITIES 1. Twelve (12) Journal Entries 2. Analysis of three (3) Handbooks from Early Childhood Education Facilities 3. Interviews of Parents and Teachers�Oral Presentation 4. Summary of two (2) NAEYC Articles on Public Policy 5. Design Family Questionnaire�Group Project 6. Evaluation of Guest Speaker(s). 7. Participate appropriately in P3 Project with online tracking and postings, reflective responses and other assignments as required. GRADING SYSTEM Approximate Breakdown: 20% - Test/Quizzes/Class Activities/Evaluations of Guest Speakers 30% - Twelve (12) Journal Entries 40% - Two (2) Student Assessment/Evaluation Presentations 10% - Attendance and Class Participation GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION 1. All work must be typed or computer text, preferred use of Times New Roman, Font Size 12 or 14, unless otherwise specified. 2. Proper grammar and correct spelling are mandatory for each written assignment. Please do not rely solely on your spell/grammar check. Points will be deducted if work is not at �college level.� 3. Due dates are serious. Grade point reductions will be given for late work according to specific course/assignment guidelines. 4. Attendance is critical. Each unexcused absence beyond ONE will reduce your final average by six (6) points per week. 5. You must be present for the entire class to be counted as attending that day. If absence is unavoidable, you MUST contact me prior to class. This is CRUCIAL. Unusual circumstances MUST be communicated to me. 6. Make-up work, notes, and exams are YOUR responsibility to obtain/schedule. 7. Make-up assessments will be given only for excused absences and must be scheduled and administered as close to the original date as possible. 8. Students may withdraw themselves and receive a �W� during the first 10 weeks of the semester. During weeks 11 through 13 they may only withdraw and receive a �W� with the permission of the instructor. All others receive a final mark which may be A, B, C, D, or F. 9. Please remember to keep a copy of ALL of your assignments for your own personal files. 10. Changes in topics, due dates, assignments or presentations may occur due to unforeseen circumstances with or without prior notice. � SUPPORT SERVICES SUNY Orange is committed to assisting students to achieve their best. Resources for you include: Tutorial Center, Writing Lab, Math Lab, Student Success Center, Advising and Counseling, Library and Career Services. Computers and printers are available for your use in the Library, Shepard Student Center and Bio Tech Building. ADA DOCUMENTED DISABILITY If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please make arrangements with me soon. Please request that the Advocate for Services for Students with Disabilities send a letter verifying your disability. To receive help, contact 341-4000. CELL PHONE USAGE POLICY The active use of any device classified as a telecommunications device including, but not limited to: pagers, cellular phones, PDAs, and messaging devices, is prohibited in classrooms, as well as in other areas where a classroom atmosphere is assumed (e.g. libraries, labs, theaters, administrative offices), except by special permission of the instructor. Passive use, including silent and vibrate mode, may be used, provided it does not compromise the education process or promote an unethical situation. Instructors reserve the right to regulate the monitoring of such devices as necessary. PLAGIARISM Any student or organization found to have committed or to have attempted to commit any of the following acts of misconduct is subject to the disciplinary sanctions outlined in Article IV. Acts of dishonesty, including, but not limited to: a. Cheating, including cybercheating b. Fabrication c. Facilitating academic dishonesty d. Plagiarism, including internet plagiarism e. Forgery f. Bribery g. Multiple submission (submitting the same assignment to more than one instructor without the permission of the instructors). Please refer to the College Academic Policy for other means of resolution for academic dishonesty issues. WEATHER EMERGENCIES/CANCELLATIONS In the event that this class is cancelled, there will be a makeup class scheduled ONLY for evening classes, NOT day classes. Check the college website or local radio station for closings. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RESOURCES The Education Department provides numerous resources for its students: * Education Curriculum Resource Area�Located on the second floor of the library, this area houses books and periodicals for use by students. * Education Department Hallway�The hallway in the Sarah Wells Building contains Education Department faculty and staff offices as well as Bulletin Boards with course listings, job postings, event times and dates, club meeting times and contact information. * Education Resource Room�Located in Sarah Wells Workroom, this area holds consumables for student use, as well as a TV/VCR and video tapes, CD-ROMs and DVDs. * Education Department Website�Log on to www.sunyorange.edu/education for the most current information. DATES TO REMEMBER 1/14 Classes begin Spring 2008 1/21 Martin Luther King Jr. Day�College Closed 2/4 First day to apply for May graduation 2/14 Last day for student withdrawal from first half semester classes with �W� 2/29 Last day to apply for May graduation 3/12 Mid-semester �U� grades distributed to students online 3/21 Good Friday�Classes in session 3/22 Saturday before Easter�Classes in session 3/24-3/30 Spring Recess�No Classes 3/31 Early registration for Summer 2008 4/4 Last day for student withdrawal for Spring 2008 with �W� 4/15 Early registration for Fall 2008 4/18 Last day for instructor withdrawal for Spring 2008 5/14 Grades distributed to students online 5/17 Commencement 5/26 Memorial Day�College Closed **Changes in topics, due dates, assignments or presentations may occur due to unforeseen circumstances with or without prior notice.** CHRONOLOGY OF STUDY EDU 208 I Spring 2008 Date Topic/Chapters Covered Assignments for NEXT class 1/15/08 - Course Overview 1/17/08 - Families Today Read Ch. 1, 2, 3 Write Journals 1, 2, 3 Choose One (1) Reflection for Journal Entry from Each Chapter 1/22/08 - Parenting Ch. 4 1/24/08 - A Day with Two Families: Diversity of Experience Journal 4 Hand in Journals 1-4 1/29/08 - What is Family Involvement? Ch. 5 1/31/08 Journal 5 Oral Presentation� Parent/Teacher Interviews Due 2/7 2/5/08 - Benefits of Teacher-Family Partnerships for Children, Ch. 6, 7 2/7/08 Parents, and Teachers Journal 6, 7 -Oral Presentations Hand in Journals 5, 6,7 2/12/08 - Potential Barriers to Teacher-Family Partnerships Handbook Analysis�Due 2/28 2/14/08 - Foundations of a Successful Partnership 2/19/08 - Student Assessment/Evaluation Ch. 8, 9 2/21/08 - Student Presentations Journals 8, 9 Test Ch. 1-7 2/26/08 - Test Ch. 1-7 2/28/08 - At the Beginning with Parents and Children Ch. 10, 11 - Informal Communication with Families Journal 10, 11 3/4/08 - Parent-Teacher Conferences Ch. 12, 13 3/6/08 - Home Visits with Parents and Children 3/11/08 - Families in the Classroom Ch. 14 3/13/08 - Parent Education Hand in Journal 12 3/18/08 - It Takes a Village: Teachers, Families, and Communities Article Summaries Due 4/3 3/20/08 - Journals 8-14 3/25/08 SPRING RECESS 3/27/08 NO CLASSES Date Topic/Chapters Covered Assignments for NEXT class 4/1/08 - Student Assessments/Evaluations Ch. 15 4/3/08 - Student Presentations: Summary of 2 NAEYC Young Children articles relative to Washington updates, Public Policy Reports 4/8/08 - Working with Families from Diverse Backgrounds Ch. 16 4/10/08 4/15/08 - Working with Families in Particular Circumstances Ch. 17, 18 4/17/08 Group Project�Family Questionnaire Due 5/1 4/22/08 - Working to Resolve Troublesome Attitudes 4/24/08 and Behaviors - Looking at Parent-Involvement Programs That Work Take home test Ch. 10-18 4/29/08 - Student Assessment/Evaluations Family Questionnaire 5/1/08 - Student Presentations: Family Questionnaire TBA - Student Presentations DATES TO REMEMBER 1/14 Classes begin Spring 2008 1/21 Martin Luther King Jr. Day�College Closed 2/4 First day to apply for May graduation 2/14 Last day for student withdrawal from first half semester classes with �W� 2/29 Last day to apply for May graduation 3/12 Mid-semester �U� grades distributed to students online 3/21 Good Friday�Classes in session 3/22 Saturday before Easter�Classes in session 3/24-3/30 Spring Recess�No Classes 3/31 Early registration for Summer 2008 4/4 Last day for student withdrawal for Spring 2008 with �W� 4/15 Early registration for Fall 2008 4/18 Last day for instructor withdrawal for Spring 2008 5/14 Grades distributed to students online 5/17 Commencement 5/26 Memorial Day�College Closed **Changes in topics, due dates, assignments or presentations may occur due to unforeseen circumstances with or without prior notice.**