ECE 251 - Authentic Assessment and Curriculum Integration for Young Children

3 Contact Hours, 3 Credits
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods

Integrated curriculum which is developmentally, culturally and age appropriate. Integrated subjects include language, math, science, social studies, and the arts, and are based in developmentally appropriate instructional methodologies. Includes instructional design and lesson planning focus on assessing children’s needs, establishing clear objectives, including modifications/accommodations for identified needs, and measuring learning outcomes through authentic assessment. Also includes assessment incorporated into lesson planning in order to monitor, report and plan for the progress of young children. Also includes family, colleague and community involvement in assessment and curriculum development.

Prerequisite(s): ECE 117 and ECE 118
Information: This course requires delivering an original lesson to a group of preschool children at an approved program. This course also includes an NAEYC Key Assessment to measure understanding of key early learning elements. Students must have college-level reading and writing skills to be successful in ECE courses.

Course Learning Outcomes

Integrate academic subjects across the curriculum using developmentally appropriate practices and the backward design framework (NAEYC 4b, 5b, 5c)
Apply authentic assessment methods to measure learning outcomes using developmentally appropriate practice (NAEYC 1a, 1b, 2a, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d)
Create play-based lessons that build on children’s experiences and learning (NAEYC 4b, 5a, 5b, 5c, 6c)
Identify strategies which involve the child, families, and colleagues in children’s curriculum development and assessment (NAEYC 1a, 2a, 4b, 5a)
Explain ethical issues related to curriculum development and assessment (NAEYC 3d, 6b)

Outline:

Integration and Backward Design
1. Developmentally Appropriate Practice
2. Curricula and Approaches
3. Early Learning Standards
4. Measurable Learning Outcomes
5. Authentic Assessment
6. Academic Subject Disciplines
7. Learning Experiences/Areas
Assessment
1. Authentic Assessment
2. Formal Assessment
3. Portfolios
4. Collaboration
Learning Plans
1. Play
2. Environment
3. Schedules
4. Strategies
5. Catalytic Event
6. Circle Time
7. Active Learning Time
Curriculum and Assessment Engagement Strategies
1. Theory
2. Engagement with Children
3. Engagement with Family
4. Engagement with Colleagues and Community
Ethics
1. Assessment Bias
2. Curriculum Differentiation
3. Curriculum and Assessment Modification
4. Curriculum and Assessment Accommodation