Course Syllabus

Foundations Of Education

 EDU2523w ~ summer II 2008

 

Instructor: Mrs. Beth Davidson, M.ED.

Office: College Union, Room 207

Work Phone: 425-3267    Home Phone: 267-6901    School of Education: 425-3388

E-mail: davidson-b@lambuth.edu

Office Hours: MWF 10:00-12:00

                       TR 12:30-2:30

 

Class Meets: MTWR 9:00-11:45  College Union Room #217(always bring a jacket).

 

Required Text: 

Cooper, Ryan. (2007).  Those Who Can Teach. Houghton Mifflin: Boston, M.A.

 

A copy of the Teacher Education Handbook ($5.00) from the School of Education.  See Mrs. Kelley.

 

STEA membership ($40.00) provides liability insurance coverage needed to complete observation hours.

 

Course Description:

This course covers historical, philosophical, and sociological foundations of education an the emergence of the American school.  It is designed for the student who desires to enter the field of education.  Its primary intent is to provide the student with broad and detailed exposure to the realities facing modern educators, and an intellectual consideration of teaching that will prompt the student to find answers to the following questions:

1.       Do I want to be a teacher?

2.        What do I need to become the best teacher I can be?

3.        What can I do to become a real professional?

 

STANDARDS:

English Language Arts

  Standard 3:  Elements of Language:  Candidates know and understand basic English usage, mechanics,

  spelling, grammar, and sentence structure as tools to facilitate the writing process.

    Supporting Explanation:  Candidates understand and use the rules and conventions governing the

   structure and syntax of language as prerequisites to effective communication and as markers of literacy.

            Candidates construct simple, compound, and complex sentences, using correct word order, subject-verb agreement, and correctly placed modifiers.

            Candidates model effective oral and written communication skills.

Social Studies

  Standard 1:  Social Studies Process:  Candidates use effective instructional strategies that integrate social

  studies content and knowledge.

    Supporting Explanation:  Candidates recognize how culture; economics; geography; governance and

    civics; history; and individuals, groups and interactions impact the various elements of the Tennessee

    curriculum:  local communities, world communities, American history from its beginning to the present

    and early world civilizations.  Candidates understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to

    encourage the development of critical thinking, problem solving and performance skills in students.

1.2  Candidates use sources that include printed materials, maps, graphic representations, artifacts, physical and human environmental elements and media and technology sources.

 

1.4     Candidates use communication to convey ideas through individual expression, group dialogue, cultural communities, and global networks using oral, written, symbolic, visual and technological means.

  Standard 2:  Culture:  Candidates understand and demonstrate appreciation of the variety of human

  cultures.  Candidates recognize the contributions of individuals and people of various ethnic, racial,

  religious and socioeconomic groups to the development of communities and civilizations.

    Supporting Explanation:  Candidates explore different elements of societies to help develop their

    students’ appreciation of and respect for the variety of human cultures.  Candidates recognize the 

    contributions of individuals and people of various ethnic, racial, religious, and socioeconomic groups to

    the development of communities and civilizations.

2.1     Candidates explore different elements of societies to help develop their students’ appreciation of and respect for the variety of human cultures.

2.2     Candidates recognize the contributions of individuals and people of various ethnic, racial, religious and socioeconomic groups to the development of communities and civilizations.

  Standard 5:  Governance and Civics:  Candidates understand the concepts of governance and civics

     Supporting Explanation:  Candidates convey the structure and purpose of governance in a democracy in

     language that is meaningful and appropriate for students.  Candidates demonstrate an understanding of

     individual rights and responsibilities, including ethical behaviors, and the role of citizens.

5.2      Candidates demonstrate an understanding of individual rights and responsibilities, including ethical behaviors, and the role of citizens within their community, nation, and world.

  Standard 6:  History:  Candidates understand the importance of history and its relationship to informed 

  decisions in contempory life.

    Supporting Explanation:  Candidates understand the place of historical events in the context of past,

     present, and future.  Candidates construct sound historical arguments and perspectives on which  

    informed decisions in contemporary life can be based.  Candidates evaluate evidence, including primary

    sources, to develop comparative and causal analysis.

6.1     Candidates understand the place of historical events in the context of past, present, and future.

6.2    Candidates construct sound historical arguments and perspectives on which informed decisions in contemporary life can be based.

6.3    Candidates evaluate evidence, including primary sources to develop comparative and causal analysis.   

  Standard 7:  Individuals, Groups, and Interactions:  Candidates understand that personal development and

  identity are shaped by factors including culture, groups, and institutions and highlight the exploration,

  identification, and analysis of how individuals and groups work independently and cooperatively.

    Supporting Explanation:  Candidates describe the responsibilities that individuals have both to

    themselves and the group to which they belong.  Candidates convey how interactions between

    individuals and groups can influence communities and the individuals therein.  Candidates assist

    students in understanding how groups can impact change at the local, state, national, and international

    levels

7.1     Candidates describe the responsibilities that individuals have both to themselves and the

group to which they belong.

7.3     Candidates assist students in understanding how groups can impact change and the local, state, national, and international levels.

.

~ Course Policies ~

Attendance

Students should attend classes to actively participate in group discussion and collaborative assignments.  Attendance is expected at every class.  Two unexcused absences will result in the final grade being lowered by one letter grade.  Excused absences are those excused by Lambuth University for school-related events or illnesses.  Three class tardies equal one absence.  Tardies include leaving class early.  Students will be excused from class and allowed to make up assigned work for the following reasons:

1.       Medical emergencies with appropriate documentation.

2.       Family emergencies with appropriate documentation.

3.       University sponsored activities with appropriate documentation.

 

Late Assignments

Assignment due dates are strictly observed.  If you know you are unable to attend class on the date of an assignment is due, you will need to make arrangements to get you assignment to me.  A penalty of 10% will be assessed for each day, not class period, an assignment is late.  No assignment will be taken after 7 days.  If an assignment is turned in 7 days after the due date a “0” will be the grade awarded.

 

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is copying from another’s published or unpublished works without permission, or using another’s words without giving credit to the author.  Plagiarism is illegal by the State’s standards, and unethical according to the academic standards of Lambuth University.  Copying and/or any indication that a student has not done his/her own work in class, on papers, reports, and presentations will merit an automatic “F” on the assignment for both the person who copies and the person from whom the work is copied.

 

Academic Honesty

Cheating in any form will mean automatic “0” on the assignment/exam, and the Academic Dean will be informed.  A second incidence of cheating will result the failure of this course.  Dishonesty about observation hour totals, ‘faking’ visits, or using another’s time as your own will be treated as a cheating offense.

 

Confidentiality

The student will protect the right to privacy of all children and families observed in the classroom or elsewhere.  No reference should be made to them in any way that would identify them to another person.  All information about students, their families, or problems are considered confidential and not to be revealed to anyone without the consent of the parent.  Please use first names only.

 

American  Disabilities Act

Lambuth University is committed to making every reasonable accommodation to assist any student with a documented disability meet the requirements expected of all students enrolled in this course. Students who have special needs or disabilities that may affect their ability to access information and/or material presented in this course should contact the instructor.

 

Liability Insurance

 Each student taking this course will be required to carry liability insurance for individual protection during observations and other work in schools or clinics. Liability insurance may be obtained at minimum cost through membership in the Student Tennessee Education Association (STEA). This must be done prior to your receiving your observation placement.

 

Please silence all cell phones and beepers during class.

 

All papers should be typed with a cover sheet and neatly

 presented to the professor unless otherwise indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grading Scale

100 -- 93% A

92-85% B

84-78% C

77-71% D

 

Class Participation ____/50

Papers ____/200

Examinations __/100 __/100 __/100 __/100

Theorist Presentation _____/100

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


~ Course Requirements ~

 

1.       Class Attendance/Participation (50 points). Materials and activities presented in this course are designed to enhance your development as an educational leader. Students pursuing the teaching profession are mature enough to take the responsibility of facilitating the acceptable completion of course requirements and for judging the role of class attendance in meeting this goal.

 

2.       Examinations (500points).  There will be four examinations. The tests will be worth 100 points each and consists of short answer, multiple choice, and essay questions from the text. The final exam will be worth 100 points.  See syllabus schedule for the dates of review and tests.

 

3.       Creative Writings(200 points).  This is a writing credit course.  There will be four assignments this semester that will include creative writing.  They are listed on the syllabus schedule in italics and are due on those dates.  The writing assignments are two page typed essays that will be checked for organization, references to reading involved, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and neatness.  You will need a cover sheet and a bibliography with at least two sources.  Writings are worth 50 points for a total of 200 points.

Required: 

1.       Why you choose to be a teacher

2.       No Child Left Behind

3.       Options: (you may choose two from the following list for your other two papers)

1.       Performance Pay

2.       Single-Sex Schools

3.       Charter Schools

 

 

4.       Theorist Presentation (100 points). You will be responsible for creating a 20-30 min. presentation on an education theorist.  You will be representing your theorist using a poster or a tri-fold board.  You will need to answer the question “Why is your theorist the best?”  See rubric for details.

 

Tentative Schedule

EDU 2523W

 

Monday, July 14            Review of Syllabus

                                                Introduction to Course                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

TEP Handbook

                                     

Tuesday, July 15            Chapter 1:  Why Teach?

Chapter 2:  What is a School and What is it For?       

           

Wednesday, July 16       Chapter 1 and 2 quiz

Chapter 3:  Who Are Today’s Students in a Diverse Society?

 

Thursday, July 17                                Chapter 4:  What Social Problems Affect Today’s Students?

                                   

                                               

Monday, July 21            Chapter 5:  What is Taught?

Writing #1 Due:  “Why I chose to be a teacher”

 

Tuesday, July 22            Chapter 3,4, and 5 quiz

                                    Chapter 9:  What Are the Philosophical Foundations of American Education? 

Chapter 10:  What is the History of American Education?

 

Wednesday, July 23       Chapter 11:  How are Schools Governed, Influenced, and Financed?

Chapter 12:  How Should Education be Reformed?   

 

Thursday, July 24          Chapters 9,10, 11, and 12 quiz

Chapter 6:  What Makes a Teacher Effective?

 

 

Monday, July 28            Chapter 7:  What Should Teachers Know About Technology and Its Impact on Schools?

                                    Prepare for Chapter 8 – Literature Circles

 

Tuesday, July 29            Chapter 8:  What are the Ethical and Legal Issues Facing Teachers?

                                    What is NCLB and Reading First?

Writing #2 Due:  No Child Left Behind

 

Wednesday, July 30       Freedom Writers

 

Thursday, July 31          Freedom Writers

                                    Guest Speaker:  Why I choose to teach?

 

Monday, August 4         Theorist Presentations

 

                                   

Tuesday, August 5         Chapter 13:  What Are Your Job Options in Education?

                                                Chapter 14:  What Can the New Teacher Expect?

Writing #3 Due

 

Wednesday, August 6    Chapter 15:  What Does it Mean to be a Professional?

                                    Chapter 16:  Why Teach?  A Final Word        

 

Thursday, August 7       Chapter 13,14,15,16 Quiz

                                    The Transgender Teacher

 

 

Please Note: Although changes in the course schedule and requirements are not expected, they are occasionally necessary. The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to maintain course flow and integrity.

 

 

Foundations of Education

Observation Packet

            Section II

            Experiences with Children

 

Creative Writings

            Why do I choose to teach? – Section III – Reflective Practitioner

 


Theorist Presentation

Foundations of Education EDU2523W

Spring 2008

 

Date of Presentation: __________________

 

Group Members:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

_________ Length of Presentation – 15 minutes (20 points)

           

__________Handouts for Class Members (5 points)

 

__________Creative Presentation (10 points)

 

__________Interactive Presentation (10 points)

 

__________Visual Included (10 points)

 

__________Explanation of why your theorist is the best (10 points)

 

__________Students Display Knowledge of Theorist (20 points)

 

__________Professional presentation – proper dress, eye-contact, voice, syntax (15 points)

 

 

 

 

Additional Comments:  ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

Final Grade _______/100 points

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rubric for Writing Assignments

Foundations of Education EDU2523W

Spring 2008

 

1=Weak                 2=Moderately Weak            3=Average            4=Moderately Strong          5=Strong

 

 

 

  1. Each paragraph in the assignment starts with a topic sentence.

1              2              3              4              5

 

  1. The organization of the writing assignment is clear and easy to follow.

1              2              3              4              5

 

  1. The assignment id concise and well written.

1              2              3              4              5

 

  1. The assignment employs the appropriate information or facts.

1              2              3              4              5             

 

  1. The content demonstrates an understanding of the topic and related concepts.

1              2              3              4              5

 

  1. The assignment is neatly typed using 12 point Times New Roman font and double spaced with a cover page.

1              2              3              4              5

 

  1. The spelling, punctuation, and grammar on the writing assignment are accurate.

1              2              3              4              5

 

  1. If appropriate, the assignment appears to have been well researched.

1              2              3              4              5

 

  1. The content fulfills all the requirements of the assignment.

1              2              3              4              5

 

  1. Overall, the work represents the writer’s full potential.

1              2              3              4              5

 

 

Additional Comments:  __________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Total Points: _______/50

 

Grade:  _________

 

 

­Point Scale

50-46 = A

45-38 = B

37-30 = C

29-20 = D

19-0   = F

Member Evaluation for Group Presentation

Foundations of Education EDU2523W

 

1 -2 = Weak                  3-4 = Moderately Weak            5-6 = Average                                        7-8 = Moderately Strong            9-10 = Strong

 

Name of Group Member:  _______________

 

  1. Work Ethic.

1          2          3          4          5          6          7          8          9          10

 

  1. Organized.

1          2          3          4          5          6          7          8          9          10

 

  1. Helped when needed.

1          2          3          4          5          6          7          8          9          10

 

  1. Met with group.

1          2          3          4          5          6          7          8          9          10

 

  1. Prepared his/her findings report.

1          2          3          4          5          6          7          8          9          10

 

 

 

 

_________ 50 points