ECS 560 Full Course GCU
ECS 560 Child, Family, Cultural, Community, Relationship and Advocacy GCU
ECS 560 Full Course Discussions GCU
ECS 560 Topic 1 DQ 1
What does family engagement mean to you? List a barrier to family engagement discovered from this topic’s readings and one approach you might take towards overcoming that barrier.
ECS 560 Topic 1 DQ 2
There are many Bible verses calling Christians to show respect to others. For example, Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” How might a teacher ethically and respectfully respond to families who do not value education?
ECS 560 Topic 2 DQ 1
In your opinion, what challenges are presented with a class full of children from diverse backgrounds? What are the benefits of having a diverse group of students? How can you promote diversity and be sensitive to differences, while still maintaining a cohesive classroom environment?
ECS 560 Topic 2 DQ 2
How might you respond to a parent who alerts you that their religious practices prohibit their child from participating in activities that you regularly engage in? (For example, the child whose family does not celebrate any holidays or salute the flag or the child whose religion prohibits girls from interacting with boys)? How could you ethically and respectfully include the child in the class while still continuing your daily activities?
ECS 560 Topic 3 DQ 1
Families in transition are often dealing with difficult (and unexpected) circumstances. Consider your childhood or some of your friends’ early childhood histories. Are there any transitions that stand out as particularly stressful for you (or your friends)? Briefly describe the transition and what you think an educator could have done to help.
ECS 560 Topic 3 DQ 2
Read the scenario to inform the questions that follow:
Neveya, a second grader, regularly does not bring school supplies needed to school due to financial hardships in the family that include the caretaking of an elderly family member. Frustrated, her teacher, Mrs. Williams, has stressed to her administra tor that she feels Neveya’s parents do not care about her education. Upon hearing Mrs. Williams’ strong opinion, the administrator quickly explained that the family was going through turmoil. Mrs. Williams was immediately regretful of her comments as she had no idea of the family’s situation.
How would you ensure you have an open line of communication and know the circumstances of your families? How would you deal with a child not bringing the proper supplies to school? What would you do to support the child’s family during this crisis?
ECS 560 Topic 4 DQ 1
Consider that some students may come from conflict-ridden or violent families. How might an educator need to modify his or her de-escalation strategies and conflict resolution techniques to account for these considerations?
ECS 560 Topic 4 DQ 2
Child development experts understand that children develop at different rates and interact with their peers differently based on this development. Why might early childhood educators need to consider these developmental differences before resolving conflicts between the peers? Would the considerations be different for students with developmental delays? Why or why not?
ECS 560 Topic 5 DQ 1
Often, students enter school with delays of which parents were not aware. What resources would you offer a family when they are first discovering their child may have a disability? How can you support them, and help their child get the appropriate referrals, services and supports?
ECS 560 Topic 5 DQ 2
Parents may not know the expectations of them or their child when he or she first enters school, particularly if the child is a first child or the family is new to the school. How can you ease the fears and anxieties these families have and set up clear expectations? Name three ways you might accomplish and reinforce these expectations.
ECS 560 Topic 6 DQ 1
Research indicates that people perform better and are more engaged at work when they enjoy coming to work and have good relationships there; spiritual leadership is one such way to encourage work satisfaction and efficacy. Fry (2003) defines spiritual leadership as “the values, attitudes and behaviors that are necessary to intrinsically motivate one’s self and others so that they have a sense of spiritual survival through calling and membership.” How will you be a spiritual leader in your classroom? What values will you bring to the classroom? How do you know this is your calling?
ECS 560 Topic 6 DQ 2
The old adage that people learn more from what you do than what you say holds true for many relationships. How will this affect your leadership of paraprofessionals, volunteers, and service providers in the classroom? What behaviors will you exemplify in order to be an effective leader by actions? What behaviors might you need to keep in check?
ECS 560 Full Course Assignments GCU
ECS 560 Topic 1 Difficult Decisions Case Study
While teachers are always expected to be professional and uphold professional standards of practice, they also have to make decisions that sometimes do not have a clear response. In these situations, teachers must turn to the ethical standards and relevant laws and policies to guide their decisions. The purpose of this assignment is to allow you to practice making some of those difficult decisions.
For this assignment, read “Case Study – Danny,” In a 500-750 word essay, provide answers to the following questions related to the case study:
- Summarize the key issue from the case study.
- What are the ethical considerations? How could Ms. Rodriquez have better responded to Ms. Tang?
- What are 2-3 possible alternative responses?
- Out of the possible alternatives, which do you recommend and why?
Support your findings with a minimum of three scholarly resources, in addition to the textbook. Be sure to cite the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment we well.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
ECS 560 Topic 1 Family Engagement Attitude Reflection
In 150-250 words, reflect upon your attitude towards family engagement and the effect it can have on students. Consider the following questions in your reflection:
- How can a teacher’s attitude toward family engagement ultimately affect student development and achievement?
- What insights did you gain about your own attitude toward family engagement?
- What areas do you feel are your strong points?
- What areas do you feel you need to develop further?
- How will you find development opportunities to improve these areas?
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
ECS 560 Topic 2 Diversity Matrix
Create a matrix of 10 possible family structures, traditions, cultures, languages, and/or religious practices that you may encounter in a classroom. Address the following within your matrix for each area identified:
- Briefly describe the family structure/tradition/culture/language/religion.
- Discuss one engagement strategy you would use to encourage parents/families with that background to participate in the classroom.
- Discuss classroom environment considerations you will keep in mind. This should include both routines and visuals around the classroom.
In addition, beneath the matrix, describe a classroom activity you could create to respect and honor diversity within your classroom in 100-250 words.
Support your matrix with at least three scholarly resources, in addition to the textbook.
While APA style format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and in-text citations and references should be presented using APA documentation guidelines, which can be found in the Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
ECS 560 Topic 3 Families in Transition and Crisis Presentation
Create a digital presentation of 15-20 slides that would be used in a teacher in-service about families in crisis, in transition, and in abusive/neglectful situations.
Your presentation needs to include the following:
- At least 8-10 situations educators might encounter with students and their families, and possible ways to respond to those situations both in and out of the classroom.
- Signs or behaviors educators might see in children or family members who are experiencing the above situations.
- How the situations might affect a child’s performance in school. Additionally, consider how the situation could affect the classroom as a whole.
- Empathetic, ethical, and legal considerations with regard to these situations. This does not have to be an exhaustive list; however, be sure to include your state’s mandatory reporting laws for educators in regards to ethical actions for abuse, neglect, and dangerous situations that may be occurring in the child’s household or family.
Include at least three scholarly sources and detailed presenter’s notes, a title slide, and reference slide.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
ECS 560 Topic 4 Student Conflict Resolution
Conflict is a natural part of the human experience. Young children are experimenting with their autonomy and independence, and developmentally they are egocentric. In your classroom and at the school site, there will be conflicts. Consider how children interact with others at a young age and learn how to resolve conflict.
Use the following scenario to inform your assignment:
Crystal and Kimber are kindergarteners in your class. They alternate between being best friends and worst enemies, depending upon the day. Today, during center time, Crystal accidentally hit Kimber with the dump truck. Kimber cries and cries and refuses to be solaced. She angrily shoves Crystal, who hits her head. Both children are cleared by the nurse and parents are called. However, the classroom conflict escalates throughout the day.
In a 1,000-1,250 word essay, create a specific plan to resolve the conflict that includes the following:
- At least 2-3 de-escalation techniques for conflict between Kimber and Crystal.
- At least 2-3 strategies to create a calm, positive atmosphere for the other students during a conflict.
- At least 2-3 strategies to incorporate positive interactions between Kimber and Crystal and the other students.
- Description of a follow-up or debriefing session with Kimber, Crystal, and their families.
Support your plan using at least three scholarly resources.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
ECS 560 Topic 5 Benchmark – Family and Community Engagement Plan
For this assignment, you will create a plan for your second grade class describing how you would engage families and the community in the development and learning of young children with and without exceptionalities in your class.
Review the “Class Profile” and the students’ needs, strengths, and demographics. Based on the diversity of the “Class Profile,” create a 1,000-1,250 word family and community engagement plan that you will use for this class of students.
Use the “Family and Community Engagement Plan Template” to complete this assignment. Include the following in your plan:
- Methods of communication for parents/teachers/volunteers/other service providers to promote respectful, reciprocal relationships.
- Volunteer opportunities within your classroom and school, for the community and families, that accommodate different schedules and needs (including working families), and are designed to help build safe, positive learning environments with supportive and respectful interaction. In addition, include a description of how you will provide orientation/training for the volunteers.
- How you will respond empathetically, ethically, and legally to family emergencies or families in crisis. Include safe intervention strategies in your plan for these unexpected circumstances for families with children both with and without exceptionalities.
- Strategies and procedures for sharing educational and community resources with families of students with and without exceptionalities.
- Brief rationales for each section as indicated on the template. Rationales should address how the “Class Profile” was incorporated into the section.
Include research to support and explain your choices. Specifically, include three or more resources that discuss how language, culture, and family background can influence the learning of students with and without exceptionalities, as well as the importance of family involvement in student achievement, especially in the early years of an education.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
ECS 560 Topic 6 Classroom Culture and Relationships
As an educator, you are the leader in the classroom. You are leading children, parents, paraprofessionals, other service providers, and community members. Consider your role as this leader. Answer the following questions, using supports fromthe readings and outside sources. Each answer should be between 150-250 words.
- Collaboration is an essential component to early childhood education. Why is collaboration necessary to meet the needs of young learners and their families? Cite evidence and specific codes of ethics, teacher dispositions, and/or standards that apply.
- Paraprofessionals are often assigned to classrooms by administrators. You will likely be the direct supervisor of a paraprofessional who was hired and assigned by someone other than you. What will you do in the event that your personality or general philosophies about education seem to clash with those of your paraprofessional? How will you maintain a positive relationship and a professional rapport? What strategies could you use to teach, lead, and model appropriate interactions and responses to student needs so that you and your paraprofessional are on the same page?
- How can you utilize your paraprofessionals to maximize student engagement in your classroom as well as help maintain a structured learning environment?
- You have a paraprofessional who is older than you and more experienced. She has been at the school for the past 15 years and this is your first year there. As you set up the classroom and begin lesson planning, she challenges you at every turn, stating that, “this is not how it is done here.” When your students arrive, she begins undermining you and dismissing your comments, even when you are managing classroom behaviors. On two occasions, she refuses to comply with your classroom management plan and instead sends students to the office for minor behavioral infractions. What will your plan of action be to gain control of your classroom, maintain professionalism, and address the paraprofessional’s actions?
- You have a paraprofessional who comes to school late every day, takes frequent bathroom breaks that last 20-30 minutes or more, and leaves early at least three days a week. What strategies will you use to gain rapport, set limits, and reduce these absences? Are there any procedures you can think of that might reduce these “disappearances”? At what point will you need to contact your administration and have them intervene? What steps should you take before that point? How might building a rapport help reduce these issues?
While APA style format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and in-text citations and references should be presented using APA documentation guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
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