Grand Canyon – ECS 501 Foundational Studies in Early Childhood and Special Education

ECS 501 Foundational Studies in Early Childhood and Special Education GCU

ECS 501 Full Course Discussions GCU

ECS 501 Topic 1 DQ 1

ECS 501 Topic 1 DQ 2

ECS 501 Topic 2 DQ 1

ECS 501 Topic 2 DQ 2

After reading the “Title IX” document, answer the following question:

What is Title IX and how does it affect you as a student?

ECS 501 Topic 3 DQ 1

ECS 501 Topic 3 DQ 2

ECS 501 Topic 4 DQ 1

ECS 501 Topic 4 DQ 2

ECS 501 Topic 5 DQ 1

ECS 501 Topic 5 DQ 2

ECS 501 Topic 6 DQ 1

ECS 501 Topic 6 DQ 2

ECS 501 Full Course Assignments GCU

ECS 501 Topic 1 Class Wall B iography

ECS 501 Topic 1 Theories of Development

Part 1: Chart

Using information from your required readings and the GCU Library online database, complete the “Theories of Development Chart.” For each of the theories listed on the chart, provide a brief description of the theory, the associated age group or stages of development, and an example of a classroom application or approach informed by the theory. Be sure to cite your sources in the reference column.

Part 2: Further Analysis

Select a theory-based approach or teaching practice from your chart that you find particularly interesting. In 250-500 words, describe how this practice or approach would vary across stages of development and how it could be utilized for students with exceptionalities.

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.

ECS 501 Topic 2 Historical Perspective

In a 750-1,000 word essay, describe relevant historical events and legislative actions that have shaped early childhood education. Choose actions that have been integral in making early childhood education what it is today.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU 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.

ECS 501 Topic 3 Legislative Actions Photo and Synapsis

Successful educators should understand the important legislative actions and events that have helped shape our current special education climate.

Choose three significant legislative actions that have influenced special education. For each of the legislative actions that you have chosen, select an image from the Internet to creatively depict the relevance it has had on special education. Devise a caption for each of your images that expresses the relevance of the legislative actions.

Present these images in a graphic timeline on the “Legislative Actions Photo and Synapsis Template.” Include descriptions of these actions along with a few paragraphs regarding their effects on special education. Be sure to include citations for each of your images on your APA formatted reference page.

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.

ECS 501 Topic 4 Professional Dispositions: Survey and Video Assignment

The disposition to teach has been identified as the most influential quality of highly effective educators. Dispositions are the values, commitments, and professional ethics that influence behaviors toward students, families, colleagues, and communities and affect student learning, motivation, and development as well as the educator’s own professional growth.

Part 1: Dispositions Self-Assessment Survey

Complete the “Dispositions Self-Assessment Survey.” For each of the dispositions, check the corresponding box on the survey to rank how you currently value the disposition on a scale from Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree.

Part 2: Video Submission

Based on your understanding of your own dispositions, respond to the following questions in a 3-5 minute video submission:

1. What dispositions do you possess that make you a successful teacher?
2. What dispositions do you need to work on to grow as an educator?
3. What are the expectations of a professional in the field of education and how will you uphold these expectations?

Show professionalism in your speech and appearance.

Use an online video platform such as Loom, YouTube, or Vimeo to upload your completed video. Be sure that others can access and view your linked video prior to submitting.

Copy and paste your video link onto your completed Dispositions Self-Assessment Survey.

Part 3: Path to Certification

Write a 250 word statement regarding the steps and requirements for early childhood and special education teacher certification in your state. Include this statement on the page below your video link on your completed Dispositions Self-Assessment Survey.

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.

ECS 501 Topic 5 Benchmark – Advocating for Students and Families

Early childhood and special education teachers should understand their role as advocates for children who may have exceptionalities. Teachers can promote professional practice by taking part in professional development opportunities to explain this role and other responsibilities to their colleagues. Professional development enables teachers to stay informed of current practices and ethics associated with the discipline.

Part 1: Advocacy Presentation

For Part 1 of this benchmark assignment, create a 15-20 slide presentation in digital format (e.g., PowerPoint, Prezi) using relevant, current research to inform early childhood and special education teachers about their role as advocates for young children and their families. Address the following within your presentation:

• Specify the importance of detecting possible exceptionalities (including disabilities and giftedness) in Pre-K through Grade 3 children.
• Include at least three laws or policies related to identifying or providing services to children with exceptionalities.
• Relating to the early detection of possible exceptionalities, provide at least three examples of ways in which advocating for students and families optimizes learning opportunities for young children, strengthens learning environments, and advances the early childhood profession.
• Provide 3-5 talking points that teachers could use to inform paraeducators, tutors, and volunteers about some of the more important legal and ethical practices regarding students who may have exceptionalities and how to interact with their families (e.g., confidentiality).

Include presenter’s notes, a title slide, in-text citations, and a reference slide that contains 3-5 scholarly sources from the required readings or the GCU Library.

Part 2: Ethical Analysis

For Part 2 of this benchmark assignment, write a 250-500 word statement regarding how the advocacy role of early childhood educators (as described in your presentation) promotes compassion, justice, and concern for the common good of students, families, and colleagues and reflects the GCU College of Education’s Professional Disposition of Advocacy (provided below). Beneath the Professional Disposition of Advocacy description is a section of the GCU Statement on the Integration of Faith, Learning, and Work, which you may also (but are not required to) refer to in your response.

GCU College of Education’s Professional Disposition of Advocacy

Educators should promote positive change in schools and communities that benefit the welfare of others.

• Actively building positive relationships with the students.
• Engaging students in conversations beyond the scope of the classroom.
• Taking time to understand student issues and concerns.
• Assisting students in finding resolutions to their problems.
• Guiding students through the problem-solving process.
• Seeking to understand the issues and challenges facing students.
• Sincerely getting to know the students’ interests and needs in their context.

GCU Statement on the Integration of Faith, Learning and Work:

“

WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is both Savior and Lord and that all who follow Jesus should seek His Kingdom and His righteousness in relation to all aspects of human experience, including culture and society. Therefore, we have resolved to carry out our work within the public arena with compassion, justice and concern for the common good.”

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.

Standards and program competencies assessed in this assignment:

COE 5.1: Engage in ongoing, collaborative professional development from the early childhood education/special education field to inform practice in order to maximize learning outcomes for all students. [CEC 6.4; NAEYC 6a, 6c; InTASC 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 10(a), 10(b), 10(f)]

COE 5.2: Model the expectations of the profession by upholding ethical standards, professional standards of practice, and relevant laws and policies. [CEC 6.1; NAEYC 6b; InTASC 9(o), 10(i)]

COE 5.3: Analyze ethical decisions that promote the common good for students, families, and colleagues that are consistent with the Christian worldview. [MC 3]

COE 5.5: Integrate relevant, research-based perspectives on early childhood education/special education to promote professional practice. [CEC 6.2; NAEYC 6d; InTASC 10(h)]

COE 5.6: Engage in informed advocacy to optimize the learning opportunities for young children, strengthen the learning environment, and advance the early childhood profession. [CEC 6.5; NAEYC 6e; InTASC 10(j), 10(k); MC 2]

COE 5.7: Provide guidance and direction to paraeducators, tutors, and volunteers. [CEC 6.6; InTASC 10(n); MC 2, MC 3]

ECS 501 Topic 6 Evaluating Lesson Plans

Teachers engage in a continuous cycle of planning, facilitating instruction, assessing learning, reflecting on experiences and outcomes, then planning again (and continuing through the cycle). The lesson plan template is the primary tool used in the planning and instruction stages.

Compare the “Small Group Guided Reading Lesson Plan” with the “Parts of a Plant Lesson Plan” to determine which is the most effective for meeting the learning needs of early childhood special education students. Address the following questions on the “Evaluating Lesson Plans Template” to complete this assignment:

• How well do the learning targets/objectives align with the national/state learning standards? Are the learning targets/objectives written well enough?
• Do the learning activities align with the learning targets/objectives? Are learning activities engaging and developmentally appropriate for the intended group of students?
• Is there sufficient differentiation to meet the learning needs of the intended students?

Include a 250-500 word justification on the template, based on your findings, explaining which lesson plan would be more effective for meeting the learning needs of early childhood and special education students.

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.