Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

As part of the NAEYC Accreditation, students must complete 10 hours of classroom time at a Head Start Site over the term.  The Head Start classroom time must include both observation and engagement with children.  The required course assignments ideally are completed at the Head Start site, but may be completed at a licensed preschool program with faculty permission. 

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

1. Develop plans for indoor and outdoor environments to support preschool age children's growth and development.
2. Develop group lesson plans based on formal observations and environmental assessment tools for preschool age classrooms.
3. Demonstrate emergent curriculum and project approach knowledge and skills.
4. Create a learning environment and lesson plans to reflect the culture of families, children and teachers represented.
5. Assess indoor and outdoor environments utilizing a validated observation tool.

Individual reading, PowerPoint, small and large groups, planning, implementing and evaluating activities and environments, field trips, community indoor and outdoor environment and curriculum observations, videos, guest speakers, documentation boards, reflection, environmental rating scales (ECERS or FECERS).

• Complete 10 hours of observation and participation at a Head Start Site

• Attend and actively participate in class and small group discussions.
• Complete site observation and evaluation reports.
• Complete and present a term project.
• Complete written quizzes or exams.
• Complete 10 hours of observation and participation at a Head Start Site

·         The role of play in developing: social, emotional, cognitive, physical and language development

·         Reflective Teaching and the cycle of teacher research

·         Developmental theories and curriculum models' impact on children’s learning

·         Define developmentally, culturally appropriate practices to support family involvement

·         Emergent curriculum and Project Approach and inclusion

·         Lesson Planning, cycle of planning and activity plans

·         Classroom environment set-up, classroom schedule, routine events, and transitions

·         Developing aesthetic physical environment

·         Using loose parts, recyclable, natural materials

·         Social environments (teacher’s role and coaching children) to support children’s learning

·         Documentation and Assessment