COURSE INFORMATION:
Title: Futures in Education
Number: EDUC F200
Course Meetings: M-F every other day, 90 min. meeting time. 120 hrs contact time
Instructor: Melissa Raffelock
Phone: 574-254-7387 (574-254-7300 Office)
E-mail: Raffelockm@mishawaka.k12.in.us
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
COURSE OBJECTIVE: Designed to help students make a career decision and better understand the kind of teacher they wish to become.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This elective course provides students in grades eleven (11) or twelve (12) organized teaching experiences in kindergarten (K) through grade (9). The first semester is based on learning foundation knowledge in the classroom and observing students and teachers in pre-school thru ninth grade and special education. An extensive portfolio will be created and many occupations within education will be studied.
Second semester students are matched with a teacher for the entire semester. Cadet Teachers will report to their respective school during the designated FIE Block until 3:10 pm. While with their teacher, students will assist in a variety of areas and learning activities. This experience should be a hands-on learning environment in order to become aware of skills needed in the teaching area. A daily log will be kept each day with this activity. The final decision as to where the student will be placed is based on availability and the building principal’s decision.
Required Texts:
1) How to Talk so Kids can Learn by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, published 1995, by Fireside (Simon & Schuster), New York. ISBN # 0-684-82472-8; ($11.00)
2) A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby K. Payne, published 2003 (rev. ed.), by aha! Process, Inc., Highlands, TX. ISBN # 1-929229-14-3. ($20.00)
3) The First Days of School by Harry and Rosemary Wong, published 1998, by Harry K Wong Publications; ISBN#: 0962936022. ($29.95)
COURSE CONTENT AND REQUIREMENTS
Overview
Many students come to this course with questions about their careers and futures: What does it take to be a teacher? Is teaching for me? What do I really want to do with the rest of my life? I think I want to be a teacher, but do I have what it takes?
The purpose of this course is to present opportunities for students to confront the questions important to them and to help move them toward a better understanding of education as a career and to determine if an educational career fits with their personal goals and abilities.
The class explores a wide variety of issues under two main focus areas:
- Self-exploration and interpersonal communication
Students will conduct self-exploration through personal assessments, reflective journals, and class activities and discussions. Additionally, any member of the education profession must be able to communicate effectively with a diverse range of people. In this course students will learn and apply basic communication skills and dispositions such as active listening and appropriate responding, appropriate self-disclosure, genuineness and empathy, and respect for and understanding of diversity.
- Introduction to the teaching profession
Students will examine teaching from many different perspectives, integrating key concepts with real life experiences. These experiences include:
· A substantial field experience in which students shadow and assist a “Cooperating Teacher” (CT) in a K-9 class in an area school, working with students as the CT deems appropriate. This experience can be a valuable decision-making tool for students about the education profession and about particular positions in various educational settings.
· Students will explore current issues and trends in education through professional literature and interaction with education professionals. Students will also explore core issues in teaching such as teaching as a profession, classroom management, instruction, parent relationships, and professional development.
Field Experience
Beginning second semester I will arrange for students to work with a classroom teacher at the student’s preferred grade level (elementary or middle school). The student must complete a minimum of 30 hours in a K-8 classroom. Students will be observing a variety of grade levels in our corporation. This should give the students a better understanding of the grade level and school that they have an interest in. It would be very helpful if the student would have an idea of a teacher, grade level, subject, and school prior to second semester.
Required Topics
- Self-Assessment
- Field Experience Orientation Assignments
- Communication Skills Lessons and Application Activities
- Teaching as a Profession
- Classroom Management
- Overview of Instruction
- Issues in Education
Required Assignments
Students will place all required assignments in a course Portfolio (3-ring notebook) that when completed, will serve as the course evaluation.
Expectations:
· All student work will be word-processed, with the exception of field experience observation forms. EXPECTATIONS: Length requirements are met, work is typed with 1-inch margins, font is 12-point, Times New Roman. All work is double-spaced.
· Portfolio sections are labeled and work is organized according to the course index.
· A daily journal will also be kept allowing students to reflect upon their learning from the classroom and field experience portions of the course.
· Each student will complete a two-three page (typed, double spaced, 12-point font) final reflection summarizing his/her experiences in the Cadet Teaching Program.
