EDUC 0508 - Early Childhood Curriculum


Credits: 3

This graduate course offers a foundation in early childhood curriculum design, development, and implementation. Course participants will examine how early childhood educators design and teach standards-based units of study that are anchored in rich content and authentic learning and assessment experiences. Culturally responsive curricula and teaching practices that convey high expectations and meet the needs of all learners are explored through readings, discussions and guided activities. Differentiation and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) practices are applied to a backward design approach to curriculum development. As part of the course, students apply course knowledge, skills, and understandings in an early childhood field placement. Course participants create well structured lessons with measurable outcomes and explore a range of informal and formal assessment methods and teaching approaches. In their field placement, students practice skills for effective and respectful partnerships with families, and work to create safe and inclusive learning environments that value diversity, empower students as learners, encourage positive behavior, and embrace collaboration with school colleagues and the community.  Throughout the course, students engage in critical reflection relative to their work in both the course and the early childhood classroom. Students develop the capacity to use observation, anecdotal notes, and feedback from course instructor and supervising practitioner to improve their developing practice and sense of professionalism.  This graduate course is cross-listed with EDUC 0308 and is differentiated by assignments, learning outcomes and expectations at an advanced level.  Thirty hours of field experience in an approved PreK-2 setting is required.

Prerequisites: GNSC 0560  , EDUC 0515  , EDUC 0505  and a grade of B or better in EDUC 0519   or permission of instructor.


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