ECE 275: Strategies for Planning in Early Child Education

Course Description

The purpose of this course is for students to learn strategies for using both the ELDS and the DOTS in their early childhood settings. Learning experiences will provide students with opportunity to critically reflect on the role of observation and assessment in the cycle of intentional teaching, and how it all starts with having a solid understanding of each child’s growth and development. (1 credit)

Prerequisite

ECE 274: Assessment Strategies for ECE Documentation and Observation for Teaching System (DOTS)

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Charter Oak State College uses the ‘Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators’ to develop its students for work in a variety of early childhood settings. The Student Learning Outcomes listed below reflect the Professional Standards and Competencies that are focused on in this course.

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Apply strategies for using the Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS) and the Documentation and Observation for Teaching System (DOTS) to support developmentally appropriate, evidence-based teaching practices. [Standards 4b, 4c]
Demonstrate how intentional observation and assessment inform individualized instruction that reflects children’s cultural, linguistic, and developmental needs. [Standards 4b, 5b]
Identify and integrate community resources and services into planning and implementation to support children’s learning and family partnerships. [Standard 2c]
Analyze how observation data supports planning responsive interactions that promote positive, caring, and supportive relationships with young children. [Standard 4a]
Use ELDS and DOTS data to evaluate and adjust curriculum content, teaching strategies, and learning environments. [Standards 5a, 5c]
Collaborate with peers to reflect on and improve the use of ELDS and DOTS in curriculum planning and assessment. [Standard 6d]

Course Activities and Grading

Assignments	Weight
Discussions (Weeks 1-5)	30%
Assignments (Weeks 1-5)	30%
Key Assessment (Week 5)	40%
Total	100%

Required Textbooks

This course uses Open Educational Resources (OER). OER are openly licensed, educational resources that can be used for teaching, learning and research. OER may consist of a variety of resources such as textbooks, videos and software that are at little or no cost for students.
Resources used for course:
- CT Early Learning and Development Standards (CT OEC, 2014)
- Supporting All Children Using the CT Early Learning and Development Standards Supplemental Resources:
  - A Guide to Domains and Strands (CT OEC, 2016a)
  - Building Meaningful Curriculum (CT OEC, 2016b)
- CT OEC. (2018). Connecticut Documentation & Observation for Teaching System (CT DOTS) User’s Manual.
- CT OEC. (2018). Connecticut Documentation and Observation for Teaching System Observation Progressions

Course Schedule

Week	SLOs	Readings and Exercises	Assignments
1	1,2,3	Topic: Integrating the CT ELDS and CT DOTS in the Cycle of Intentional Teaching Readings: Supporting All Children Using the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards: Building Meaningful Curriculum (CT OEC, 2015) p. 4-5 and 19-23 Connecticut Documentation & Observation for Teaching System (CT DOTS) User’s Manual (CT OEC, 2018) p. 10-14	Read assigned material Review the lecture material Participate in Discussions Submit assignments
2	1,5	Topic: Planning Curriculum with the CT ELDS and CT DOTS in Mind Readings: CT Early Learning and Development Standards (CT OEC, 2014) Supporting All Children Using the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards: Building Meaningful Curriculum (CT OEC, 2015) 11-13 (top) Connecticut Documentation & Observation for Teaching System (CT DOTS) User’s Manual (CT OEC, 2018) p. 10-14	Read assigned material Review the lecture material Participate in Discussions Submit assignments
3	1,2,5	Topics: Connecting Standards, Objectives, and Assessment with CT DOTS Readings: CT Early Learning and Development Standards (CT OEC, 2014) Supporting All Children Using the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards: Building Meaningful Curriculum (CT OEC, 2015) CT Documentation and Observation for Teaching System Observation Progressions (CT OEC, 2018)	Read assigned material Review the lecture material Participate in Discussions Submit assignments
4	2,4,5	Topics: Analyzing Assessment Data to Inform Curriculum Adjustments Readings: CT Early Learning and Development Standards (CT OEC, 2014) Supporting All Children Using the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards: Building Meaningful Curriculum (CT OEC, 2015) CT Documentation and Observation for Teaching System Observation Progressions (CT OEC, 2018)	Read assigned material Review the lecture material Participate in Discussions Submit assignments
5	3,6	Topics: Engaging Families and Reflecting on the Intentional Teaching Cycle Readings: CT Early Learning and Development Standards (CT OEC, 2014) Supporting All Children Using the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards: Building Meaningful Curriculum (CT OEC, 2015) CT Documentation and Observation for Teaching System Observation Progressions (CT OEC, 2018)	Read assigned material Review the lecture material Participate in Discussions Submit Key Assessment Complete Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.