Calumet College of St. Joseph

 

SYLLABUS FOR THEORIES & PRACTICES IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

 

Term:  Fall, 2001-2002 (011) (Sept. 4 – Dec. 15)                                                     

Course Number: EDU 426x

Instructor:   Dr. Joi Patterson  

Office:  509

Office Phone: 219.473.4293

E-mail:  jpatterson@ccsj.edu

Home Phone: (219)644.9077

Office Hours: M,W,R: 9:00 – NOON.; 2:00 – 3:00 P.M.

 

Instructor Background:

While living in Texas for four years, I received a Bachelors Degree in Biology/Chemistry.  Returning to Chicago to be near family I worked as a Research Microscopist at McCrone Associates while attending Governors State University where I received a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Biology. 

 

I started my teaching career as a bilingual science teacher at John Hope Community Academy Middle School in Chicago.  While working full-time as a teacher I received a Ph.D. in Education from Walden University.  Continuing at John Hope Academy I became an Assistant Principal and coordinator for the bilingual program.  During this time I attended Chicago State University to work on a degree in Education Administration. 

 

After being at John Hope for seven years I relocated to Arizona.  While in Arizona I taught part-time in the education program for Maricopa Community Colleges and Arizona State University.  I worked full-time as a K – 12 principal. 

 

I recently moved back to the mid-west area once again, to be closer to family and to work for Calumet College of St. Joseph as the Director of the Education Program. 

 

Course Time: Monday, 4 – 6:45P.M.

 

Course Description: This course examines the theoretical, historical, psychological, and sociological foundations of the middle school concept.  It also engages teacher candidates to discover current practices by researching literature, conducting interviews, and engaging in school observations. Teacher candidates are challenged to conduct original research to determine "best practice" for an ideal middle school.  Field Experiences Required.

 

Prerequisites: EDU 100, 200, 300, 311, and 342                    

 

Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:

Students in this course will:

 

·         Explore and express what qualities you possess as students that will make you an effective teacher

·         Examine the profiles of professionalism, knowledge and communication

·         Research the history of middle schools in the U.S.

·         Present organized detailed information about the origination and concept of middle schools

·         Design a model of an effective middle school

·         Develop strategies that can be integrated to promote positive classroom management

·         Design and understand the importance of a print rich environment

·         How to be an effective member of a team

·         How to conduct and have a productive team meeting

·         Develop lesson plans according to state guide lines

·         Develop lesson plan that integrates across the curriculum

·         Understand how to develop and the impact of thematic units

·         Develop thematic unit lesson plan with team

·         Practice a variety of teaching methodologies

·         Examine the strengths and weakness of different methodologies

·         Criteria for a successful teacher

 

 

Textbooks:

How To Be An Effective Teacher:  The First Days of School / Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong (Harry Wong Publications, Inc., 1998)

 

The Team Process:  A Handbook for Teachers, Third Edition / Elliott Y. Merenbloom (National Middle School Association, 1991)

 

Learning Strategies:

 

·         Development of lesson plans

·         Presentations

·         Group Discussions

·         Hands-on activities

·         Research

 

Assessment:

 

Exams (Midterm, Final, Quizzes)                                                     20           % of grade

Class participation/collaboration/attendance/assignments       40           % of grade

Class presentation and assessment instruments                         40           % of grade

 

Class Participation

·         Attendance

·         Homework assignments

·         Teamwork assignments

·         Classwork assignments

·         Presentation of homework and teamwork assignments

·         Roundtable discussions

 

Class Presentation

·         Research projects

·         Presentation of research projects

·         Presentation of a lesson

 

Class Policy for Assignments:

 

All assignments are expected to be on time.  No assignments will be accepted after the class period, which it is due unless special arrangements have been made with the instructor.  All presentations are expected to be presented at scheduled time.  Unless special arrangements are made prior to class, a loss in points for presentation will occur.

 

 

 

Grading Scale:

 

A: 92-100                A-: 90-91               B+:  88-89     B: 82-87         B-:  80-81    C+: 78-79

C: 72-77                 C-: 70-71              D+:  68-69     D: 62-67         D-:  60-61    F:  59 & below

 

Class Policy on Attendance:

 

Because of the content and participation in this course, it is essential that each student make every endeavor to attend each class.  Each student is allowed one unexcused absence, two absence will result in submitting a special project, after the third “unexcused absence you may be dismissed from this course.

 

 

Class Policy on Electronic Devices:

 

Please respect your classmates!  Cell phones, Beeper, Pagers are not permitted

 

 

 

Course Outline:

 

Class Dates:                                                                                                       Topics/Assignments:

 

Week 1                                                                                                  What Makes an Effective Teacher

Week 2                                                                                                  What Makes an Effective Teacher

Week 3                                                                                                  Understanding Middle School

Week 4                                                                                                  Effective Middle Schools

Week 5                                                                                                  Positive Classroom Management

Week 6                                                                                                  Positive Classroom Management

Week 7                                                                                                  Team Concept

Week 8                                                                                                  Team Concept

Week 9                                                                                                  Planning

Week 10                                                                                                Planning

Week 11                                                                                                Teaching Methodology

Week 12                                                                                                Teaching Methodology

Week 13                                                                                                What Makes a Successful Teacher

 

Class Participation:

 

·         At the beginning of each class you will present your hands-on activity assigned the week before. 

 

·         You are expected to participate and listen attentively, and communicate respectfully with your classmates.

 

·         You are expected to give feedback and interact with the instructor as well as classmates.

 

 

Center for Academic Excellence:

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.

 

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances. (Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27)

 

Citation Guidelines:

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.).  All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore.  These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

 

Withdrawal from Classes Policy:

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.

 

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).