Individual: My Educational Philosophy: A Reflective Comparison (Benchmark Assessment) 

1. Conduct interviews with teachers who have had a minimum of several years of experience in the classroom from 3 years -20+ years. In a 1500-1750-word essay, compare and contrast your own personal education philosophy as indicated in the Education Philosophy and Rationaleassignment (from Module 4) with those of your interviewees. Include reflections related to the interviews.
2. Consider the following, though not simply as short answers to these questions:
3. How is your philosophy and that of your interviewees similar? How are they different?
4. What elements of your interviewees’ philosophy would you appropriate for your own? Why? Provide examples.
5. Which elements of your interviewees’ philosophy can you not appropriate? Why? Provide examples.
6. How might your personal philosophy inform your professional practice? Provide a minimum of three examples.
7. How does a teacher’s increasing experience in the classroom affect his or her personal education philosophy?
8. Considering all you have learned, how would you revise your personal education philosophy?

NOTE:  For a professional presentation please remember to include the Rationale and Standards that apply to this assignment.

Comprehension Classroom Technology Plan

1. With the help of your instructor, refine and/or modify your Mission and Vision Statement as well as the other component parts of the Comprehensive Classroom Technology Plan from Modules 3 through 6.
2. Formulate a conclusion and include it in the Comprehensive Classroom Technology Plan.
3. In addition to the plan, write a 750-1,000 word reflection essay that summarizes how your comprehensive technology plan can increase productivity and efficiency for both students and teachers. Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

Submit the Comprehensive Classroom Technology Plan and the reflective essay

1. The Comprehension Classroom Technology Plan will include the following sections. Drafts of these sections will be submitted throughout the course for instructor feedback and will be revised for inclusion in the Benchmark Assessment, due in Module 7. The plan is composed of: 
2. Mission and Vision
3. Communications
4. Instruction (Hardware)
5. Assessment(Software)
6. Ethical Use and Evaluation
7. Conclusion

NOTE:  For a professional presentation please remember to include the Rationale and Standards that apply to this assignment. .

 Issues in Multicultural Education
i)    Explore local issues in your community that affect the education of diverse students. Possible issues may include but are not limited to inequities among districts in your area in regards to teaching materials, quality of school programs, funding for cultural enrichment activities, etc.
ii)    Research an issue described above and analyze possible solutions.  
iii)    Develop a 750–1000 word plan of action to solve the chosen issue, including the following:
(1)    A statement of the problem.
(2)    Who is involved:
(a)    As part of the problem?
(b)    As part of the solution?
(3)    What is the proposed solution?
(4)    What will be needed to implement the solution (e.g., money, time, manpower, materials, etc.)?
(5)    What is the projected timeline to implement the solution?
(6)    What is the expected outcome?
iv)    Use the GCU eLibrary to research a minimum of three to five peer-reviewed articles that can be used in support of your content.
v)    Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

NOTE:  For a professional presentation please remember to include the Rationale and Standards that apply to this assignment. .

STUDENTS: Submit documentation of your all completed field experience here.

• Field hours required for this course: 10 field hours.
• Form Hyperlink: http://www.gcu.edu/Documents/Education/Practicum-Observation-Activity-Log.pdf

Field Experience hours required for this course: 10 hours.

SIOP Power Point Presentation

For this benchmark, create an in-depth, 15-20 slide PowerPoint presentation to inform other teachers in your school district of the benefits of using the SIOP Model as a teaching framework. This presentation should elaborate on the empirical research that shows the benefits of the SIOP framework when used with general education students as well as with ELLs. Your presentation should include:

1. A title slide
2. A brief description of socioeconomic, political, ethical, and legal influences on instruction for ELLs.
3. At least one brief video showing SIOP strategies being used with students (any grade level or subject area).
4. The eight interrelated components of the SIOP model and their application with teaching examples for each component.  The eight SIOP components are as follows:
   1. Lesson Preparation
   2. Building Background
   3. Comprehensible Input
   4. Strategies
   5. Interaction
   6. Practice and Application
   7. Lesson Delivery
   8. Review and Assessment
5. Include presenter’s notes, in-text citations, and a reference slide that contains three to five sources from the required readings or the GCU Library.

In your explanation of the eight SIOP components, include considerations about meeting ELL needs, such as access to academic classes, appropriate resources, and instructional technology.

While GCU style format is required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected. For all assignment delivery options, documentation of sources should be presented using GCU formatting guidelines, which can be found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

NOTE:  For a professional presentation please remember to include the Rationale and Standards that apply to this assignment.

You are to submit: 

• SIOP Power Point Presentation
• Field Experience documentation required for this course: 10 hours
  • Form Hyperlink: http://students.gcu.edu/academics/college-of-education.php

STUDENTS: Submit documentation of your field experience here.

• Field hours required for this course: 15 field hours.
• Form Hyperlink: http://www.gcu.edu/Documents/Education/Practicum-Observation-Activity-Log.pdf

Dream Job Dialogue

i)        Create a script where you discuss with a friend your future career as an Educator.

ii)       Elaborate on the following questions:

(1)   What do you believe will be the future of American K-12 Education, and how will you make an impact on it?

(2)   What are the career possibilities you for in the field of education?

(3)   What is your dream job in the world of education and why are you qualified for it?

iii)      Your entry should be a minimum of 350-400 words.

iv)     APA format is not required, but solid writing skill in APA style and a title page are expected.

NOTE:   The portfolio format requirements of Rationale and Standards are not required for this assignment.

Individual: My Personal Classroom Management Plan

1. Create your personal comprehensive classroom management plan. Utilize the steps outlined in the Charles text, Chapter 15:
2. Specify how you will present and conduct yourself.
3. Specify the behavioral goals for you students.
4. Describe the classroom conditions you will provide.
5. Specify how you will help students conduct themselves appropriately.
6. Indicate how you will intervene when misbehavior occurs.
7. Think through and write out how you will introduce and explain the system to your students.
8. Your plan should be presented as a 1500-1750 word essay. Consider the myriad of classroom management strategies you have learned throughout the course and the interaction you have had with classmates through the CLC and Discussion Forum.
9. Use standard essay format in APA style, including an introduction, conclusion, and title page. An abstract is required. Level headings are recommended in organizing your plan. Annotated bullet points and first person point of view are acceptable where appropriate within the essay.

NOTE:  For a professional presentation please remember to include the Rationale and Standards that apply to this assignment. .

 Developing a Personal Learning Philosophy (Benchmark Assignment)

For this assignment, use your field experience hours.

Examine a variety of early childhood learning theories and begin to articulate your own personal learning philosophy. Use course readings on particular theories and theorists, as well as the GCU Library for scholarly articles that can be used in support of your philosophy.

Write an essay of 1,000-1,250-words based on discussion with the classroom teacher and research. Include the following:

1. The nature/nurture concept and debate;
2. What it means to be an early childhood professional;
3. The role of the early childhood educator as a professional in the teaching and learning of children;
4. The role of the early childhood educator as an advocate on behalf of children;
5. The meaning of teaching and learning for Birth-Grade 3 children, including your views on the statement “all children can learn” and key assessment practices;
6. The role of technology in the education of young children; and
7. The importance of environment to teaching and learning for Birth-Grade 3 children.

Use 3-5 scholarly resources.

Prepare this assignment according to the GCU guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

NOTE:  For a professional presentation please remember to include the Rationale and Standards that apply to this assignment.

Everything in Its Place: Designing and Managing the Early Childhood Classroom

1. Review the instructor feedback on your posters and schedules from Module 5 and revise both accordingly.
2. Design a visual classroom environment plan (1000-1250 words) that includes the physical arrangement and organization of materials and resources. Be creative: there are no money or size constraints.
3. Consider creating a 2-room suite, one for Birth-PK, the other for K-3. What would each look like? Describe them and support your choices with theory and research.
4. Your plan must demonstrate best practices for development of a healthy, supportive and challenging environment for learning, which embraces the diversity of your students, addresses their interests and special needs, and includes families as partners.
5. Prepare this assignment according to the GCU guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

NOTE:  For a professional presentation please remember to include the Rationale and Standards that apply to this assignment. .

Wellness Week in a First Grade Classroom

1. It is Wellness Week in your K-3 Title 1 school. In your 1^st grade classroom, you have designed a curriculum unit that comprehensively covers health, safety, nutrition, and fitness for your precious young students.
2. For each of these areas, design two lessons. Use the EEI template on the College of Education’s page in the Student Success Center. Ensure that you address applicable content and early childhood standards for each area and that your learning outcomes promote the ongoing development of the children. Clearly define the assessments you will use to determine student learning.
3. To extend the lessons, design an End-of-Unit parent afternoon event that will address each area. Decide which health and safety issues will be addressed, what nutritional food will be served, and what physical activities will take place. Create an invitation that indicates all of this. Be creative.
4. Write a 500-750 word essay that explains the developmental benefits of the curriculum unit to young children and that describes the parent event. Prepare this essay according to the GCU guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
5. Submit the 8 lessons, the essay, and the end-of-unit event invitation 

NOTE:  For a professional presentation please remember to include the Rationale and Standards that apply to this assignment. 

Keeping an Eye Out:Child Advocacy

1. Choose a child advocacy issue that is important to you as an education professional. Use the GCU eLibrary to select a minimum of 5 scholarly articles that deal with your chosen topic. Search the Web for 3 additional sources.
2. Write an essay of 1000 words that summarizes the issue, explains why it is important, and defines its risk factors for children and families. The essay should also identify community and cultural resources that address the issue. Take a personal stance regarding the issue and support your opinion with research.

Choosing either the PK or K-3 learning environment as a backdrop, design four (4) events that might strengthen the family concerning the issue. One event should include a technology component. One event can be faith-based. Consider cultural, family, and community factors. Describe each event in 250 words. Include these as part of your essay

NOTE:  For a professional presentation please remember to include the Rationale and Standards that apply to this assignment. 

Making Friends with Phonemes Using Environmental Text

1. Research the effectiveness of using environmental text to enhance phonemic awareness in emergent readers. Use the GCU eLibrary to identify a minimum of 5 peer-reviewed scholarly articles and review the following website: http://www.sharonmacdonald.com/environmental-print.aspxto support your efforts.
2. Create two environmental print scavenger hunts looking for opportunities to identify and use phonemes, one for pre-schoolers and one for first graders. Ensure that you select bias-free, culturally relevant environmental text for your hunts. Decide appropriate sources for the environmental print for the hunts.
3. Create an invitation for the children’s parents to accompany them on the hunts. Be creative. In your invitation, explain how and why the hunts will benefit their children.

Present your hunts and the invitations in a 15-18 slide Power Point presentation, not including title and reference slides. Use the Notes section of the slides to present the narrative that would accompany the hunts and their research support.

NOTE:  For a professional presentation please remember to include the Rationale and Standards that apply to this assignment.