COURSE SYLLABUS

Semester: FALL Year: 2014

Mission Statement:
Richard J. Daley College provides high-quality education which leads to academic success, career
development, and personal enrichment that fulfill diverse community needs.

Course (Discipline):

Number: 201

Section: N

IAI#:

Course Title: Observation, Assessment, Documentation and Support of the Young Child
Length of Course (Weeks): 16
Contact Hours: 3

Credit Hours:

Meeting Day(s): Mon and Wed

Building: Main Classroom #: 3202

Lab Hours: 0

Times: 3:20-4:35PM

Syllabus can be found on Blackboard website at

https://ccc.blackboard.com/webapps/login/.
Instructors Name: Benita Hunter
Phone #: 773.838.7745

E-mail Address: bhunter@ccc.edu

Office #: L411

Building: Main

Office hours: Tuesday & Thursday 7:00AM-7:45AM, 10:00AM-11:25AM, 1:35-3:05 PM and

5:00PM-6:15PM
(Office Hours are subject to change if no appointments are previously made)
Course Description:

This course provides an examination of developmentally appropriate techniques for observing,

documenting, and assessing the development of young children in order to inform curriculum
planning and promote positive guidance strategies. The course emphasizes a strengths-based
approach to assessment that includes building partnerships with families and professional
colleagues. Self-reflection is a major component of the course as well as the examination of bias
in the observation and assessment of young children from diverse backgrounds. 30 hours
observing young children in an early childhood education setting are required for the course.
Writing assignments and oral presentations as appropriate to the discipline are part of the
course.
Course Prerequisites:

Completion of CD 101, 107, 120, and 149 with a grade of C or better, or consent of
Department Chair. Completion or concurrent enrollment in 109, 143 and/or 262 is suggested.
Students Course is Expected to Serve: Students preparing to work with young children. This

course is required for students seeking an Advanced Certificate in Child Development and/or an
Associate in Applied Science Degree in Child Development.

Course Objectives:

This course will introduce:

1. Developmentally appropriate techniques for observation, documentation and assessment
of child development to inform curriculum planning and practice.
2. The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and protecting confidentiality of young children and
their families.
3. Positive guidance strategies, how they influence relationships between early childhood
professionals, young children, and their families, and what role bias plays in these
interactions.
4. Self-reflection as a major component of teaching.
5. The importance of parents, colleagues, and specialists as partners in the assessment
process.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to

Explain the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment in Early Childhood Education (Obj. 1).

Articulate the rules of confidentiality, and uphold the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and
other professional guidelines (Obj. 2).

Utilize developmentally appropriate observation, documentation, and assessment tools

that reflect the individual needs of children (Obj. 1).

Use observation and interpretation to assess and document child development in all
domains, and create an individualized development plan based on evidence (Obj. 1).

Analyze guidance strategies considering how they influence relationships between early
childhood professionals, young children, and their families and what role bias plays in
these interactions (Obj. 3).

Recommend environmental modifications to support small and large groups of young

children (Obj. 1).

Design developmentally appropriate activities that support positive social interaction

among children and adults, and that demonstrate sensitivity to cultural, linguistic, and
ability diversity (Obj. 1).

Design strategies for developing assessment partnerships with families and with
professional colleagues (Obj. 5).

Reflect on observation, documentation, and assessment data in terms of implications for

ones own professional growth (Obj. 4).
Course Syllabus - 2

Required Texts and Course Materials:

Text: Beaty,J. Observing Development of the Young Child (current edition). Columbus, OH:
Merrill/ Prentice Hall.
Materials: Most will be provided, however students will be responsible for bringing in THEIR own
personal items when working in groups or individual presentations. 1 Flash Drive.

Additional Course Requirements: (N/A means this section does not apply to this course.)
1 inch Binder with plastic cover and dividers.
Method of Instruction: (e.g., lecture, lab, case studies, guest lecturers, etc.)

D - Discussion/Lecture
G Groupwork
Other Methods Observations and assessments
Methods of Evaluation:
Your midterm and final course grades will be based on the following:

Regular classroom attendance

Participation in class activities
Case Study Report
Documentation and assessment notes & Signature Sheets
Documentation panel
Reflective journaling
Observation with interpretation
Parent teacher conference role play
Mock parent night Planning Activity
Observation Hours in ECE settings representing a range of age groups and various settings
E-portfolio
Sample Assessments:
Examinations and Quizzes
In and Out of Class Assignments
Case Study Report and Signature
e-portfolio

10%
35%
Sheets 35%
20%

Grading Scale:
A = 90 100 %
B = 80 89 %
C = 70 79 %
D = 60 69 %
F = 0 59 %

Course Syllabus - 3

See the Student Policy manual regarding grade appeals at

http://www.ccc.edu/student/files/ccc_grade-appeal_form_8_17_07.pdf.
NOTE: Type or copy and paste the link above into a web browser (i.e. Internet Explorer, Firefox or
Google Chrome, etc.) to view its content.
Exit Exam Policy: (N/A means this section does not apply to this course.)
N/A
Late Work and Make-up Assignments: (N/A means this section does not apply to this course.)
Late Assignments Policy: Late assignments will only be accepted with PRIOR permission from the
instructor.
In the case of an emergency, late work will be accepted, after discussion with the instructor,
up to one week after the due date. Late assignments may be reduced by at least one full letter grade.
Students who are having any difficulty keeping up with assigned coursework are encouraged to speak
with the instructor. In-class activities cannot be made up when missed. The total points accumulated for
these activities by the end of semester may determine the difference between one grade and the next
higher or lower one.
See the Student Policy manual regarding grade appeals at
http://www.ccc.edu/departments/Documents/CCC%20Grade%20Appeal%20Form.pdf
NOTE: Type or copy and paste the link above into a web browser (i.e. Internet Explorer, Firefox or
Google Chrome, etc.) to view its content.

Early Alert Plan/GradesFirst:

Below is the Early Alert Plan that will be used to identify students who are not meeting the academic
requirements of the course before midterm of the semester. This plan is designed to provide students
with timely interventions that will help improve the students academic performance in the course.
Students who do not complete the remediation plan developed by the instructor may not be successful in
the course. This information will be documented on GradesFirst, a web-based and student support tool
used by both faculty and advisors.

Withdrawing from the Course:

Remember you may withdraw from the course at any time up until the last student-initiated withdrawal
date (see Other Important Dates). In order to do this, you can withdraw from the course online at
http://My.CCC.edu or you can obtain a drop slip from the Registrars Office or College Advisors Office. A
college advisor or any faculty member or administrator at the college can sign the drop slip. It is not
necessary for your instructor to sign the drop slip. Also, please keep a copy of the drop slip for your
records.

Important Dates:
Tuesday August 26, 1st Day of Class
Monday September 1st Labor Day Holiday Campus Closed
Tuesday October 14th Midterm
Thursday October 16th 1st 15 hours of Observation Due (Signature Sheet Completed)
Monday November 17th Last day for Student Initiated withdrawal
Thursday & Friday November 27th & 28th Thanksgiving Holiday NO CLASSES Campus Closed
Tuesday December 2nd Last 15 hours of observation due (Signature Sheet Completed)
Course Syllabus - 4

Thursday December 4th Final Projects Due: E-Portfolio (e-mail to Professor Hunter @ bhunter@ccc.edu by 5:00 PM)
Thursday December 11th Last Day of Class
Saturday December 13th Last day of the Semester

Classroom Etiquette: (N/A means this section does not apply to this course.)
All students are expected to act like mature adults. No cell phone use and profanity.

Academic integrity:
The City Colleges of Chicago is committed to the ideals of truth and honesty. In view of this, students are
expected to adhere to high standards of honesty in their academic endeavor. Plagiarism and cheating of
any kind are serious violations of these standards and will result, minimally, in the grade of F by the
instructor.

Student Conduct:
City Colleges of Chicago students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which is considerate
of the rights of others and which will not impair the educational mission of the College. Misconduct for
which students are subject to College Discipline (e.g. expulsion) may include the following: (1) all forms of
dishonesty such as stealing, forgery, (2) obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration,
disciplinary proceeding, (3) physical or verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, and/or other
conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person, and (4) carrying or possession of
weapons, ammunition or other explosives.

Disability Access Center:

Please note: Any student with a disability, including a temporary disability, who is eligible for reasonable
accommodations should contact the Disability Access Center located in Room 1401 on Daleys main
campus, or call (773) 838-7578 as soon as possible.

Wellness Center:
The Wellness Center is here to provide support and eliminate obstacles that might be getting in the
way of you being a successful student. The Wellness Center offers referrals to community
resources, individual counseling, stress management, support groups, and psychological testing. If
you need support, someone to talk to, or help finding resources, stop by and speak with one of the
Wellness Center counselors. The Wellness Center is located in Room L315. You can also call (773)
838-7871 to schedule an appointment. All services provided by the Wellness center are free and
confidential.

General Responsibilities/Student Policy Manual:

Students have a great deal of responsibility. The majority of these duties and responsibilities are laid
out in the Student Policy Manual. Each student is encouraged to view this manual when they enroll in
any CCC course. A copy may be obtained from the Admissions Office or Dean of Student Services
or online at: http://www.ccc.edu/menu/pages/policies.aspx
NOTE: Type or copy and paste the link above into a web browser (i.e. Internet Explorer, Firefox or
Google Chrome, etc.) to view its content.

Course Syllabus - 5