ELM-250 Assignment-Specific Questions
Here are some common concerns that students encounter when completing assignments. As a reminder, please refer to rubrics before beginning your assignment, as all assignments are graded using those. And if I haven’t addressed your question here, please send me a message using the Questions for Instructor Forum or Individual Forum, if it is personal in nature. Thanks!
Module 1: Professionalism as an Educator Table
You will be completing the "Professionalism as an Educator Table". This assignment has two parts:
Part 1: Complete the table, supporting every entry in the table with a citation and a reference.
Part 1: Complete the table, supporting every entry in the table with a citation and a reference.
- The references may include the NEA Code of Ethics, the NASDTEC Code of Ethics, the InTASC dispositions, the Arizona Administrative Code, the COE Professional Dispositions, the COE Learning, Leading, Serving Pledge, the GCU Statement on the Integration of Faith and Work, and other relevant resources such as the GCU eLibrary. For more details about using the GCU eLibrary, please visit the "APA Style & Research Tips" in the General Resources tab above.
- Tip: Summarize the information, as this will help keep your LopesWrite score a bit lower. Keep in mind that direct quotes will create a higher LopesWrite score, and the goal, per GCU policy, is 20% or lower.
- Tip: Write your reflection in the same document as the table in order to submit ONE document for submission to the assignment dropbox.
Module 2: Importance of Engagement
1. Create a PowerPoint presentation with 10-15 slides (this includes a title slide and reference slide).
2. Be sure to discuss each of the bulleted items from the syllabus.
3. Support your ideas with 2-3 scholarly sources; this means you will also include citations and references. Tip: Use the GCU eLibrary for finding quality research, and use the Student Success Center APA style (7th edition).
4. Finally, be sure to include slide notes - if you are not sure how to do this, visit the General Resources tab above, then click on PowerPoint tips. You will also find additional ideas for creating visually pleasing PowerPoint slides (like using short bullets, including a graphic, changing the background, etc.). This assignment allows for a litle creativity, so now's your time to bring it!
2. Be sure to discuss each of the bulleted items from the syllabus.
3. Support your ideas with 2-3 scholarly sources; this means you will also include citations and references. Tip: Use the GCU eLibrary for finding quality research, and use the Student Success Center APA style (7th edition).
4. Finally, be sure to include slide notes - if you are not sure how to do this, visit the General Resources tab above, then click on PowerPoint tips. You will also find additional ideas for creating visually pleasing PowerPoint slides (like using short bullets, including a graphic, changing the background, etc.). This assignment allows for a litle creativity, so now's your time to bring it!
Module 2: Clinical Field Experience A: Creating a Collaborative Environment
Allocate at least 2 hours in the field to support this field experience, observing a K-8 class; be sure to coordinate with your mentor teacher, as you will want to observe a group learning activity. Take notes of your observation using the first set of questions in the syllabus, then interview your mentor teacher using the second set of questions in the syllabus, recording the responses.
After your observation and interview, write a 500-750 word reflection, summarizing your observations and interview. Additionally, explain how you will use this observation in your future classroom.
After your observation and interview, write a 500-750 word reflection, summarizing your observations and interview. Additionally, explain how you will use this observation in your future classroom.
Module 3: Classroom and Behavior Management Framework
Be sure to get a jump start on this! Select two classroom management models and two campus wide behavior management systems from the list in the syllabus (or others, as appropriate); for EACH model and system, write 100-150 words identifying the strengths and weaknesses, as well as one online resource. Additionally, your reflection will be 250-500 words; this means your paper will be approximately 650 - 1,100 words. Be sure to include 3-5 scholarly resources; please use the GCU eLibrary for this.
Module 3: Feedback on Classroom Management Plan Rough Draft Sections 1-3
This assignment goes hand-in-hand with our Module 3 Peer Review Forum; you will compile the first three sections of your classroom management plan in ONE document in order to share it with your peers during Module 3. You will also be providing feedback to two of your peers' work. By the end of the week, you will have two reviews of your own work, as well! Please submit both your rough draft of the Classroom Management Plan (sections 1-3) AND the two peer reviews that you completed for your classmates. For ALL the details, please take a few minutes to watch this video.
Module 4: Classroom Procedures, Rules, Consequences, and Rewards
It's time to think about your procedures, rules, consequences, and rewards! As a note, you are given a class profile, but don't feel like you need to make this document "fit" into your assignment; if you want to use it...awesome! If you don't, awesome! Please be sure to use the template provided for you in the course and include the following (with appropriate details per the syllabus):
- Procedures: Five procedures you will teach (one must be technology-related).
- Rules: Five rules for your future classroom.
- Consequences: Five consequences for your future classroom
- Rewards: Describe your personal reward system.
- 2-3 Scholarly Resources: The GCU eLibrary is a great resource for this.
Module 4: Clinical Field Experience B
In this observation, focus on observing the procedures, routines, rules, consequences, and rewards in your mentor's classroom; try to observe two more classrooms, as well, as each teacher has his/her own style to learn from! Be sure to take notes and to discuss your observations with your mentor teacher. Finally, write a 250-500 word summary highlighting your vision of your future classroom environment. Be sure to address the following questions:
- Why is it important to create a classroom that is safe, organized, and productive?
- How will a safe, organized, and productive classroom meet the needs of diverse students?
- What procedures, routines, rewards, and rules did you observe that you would consider implementing in your future classroom?
Module 5: Classroom Arrangements & Cooperative Learning
This assignment asks you to think about the design of your classroom; you may use a digital tool, a PowerPoint presentation, or other appropriate resource to complete this assignment (there are even some design websites located in the Topic 5 Student Materials). As a note, you are provided with a Class Profile; you are welcome to use this when creating your classroom design, but you are not required to. Here are the key elements to include in your design:
- Layout of desks/tables to facilitate group learning (include a map of your classroom...check out the Main Forum discussion for ideas!)
- Location of resources and technological tools
- Traffic flow considerations appropriate for your selected grade level
- Equal access for all
Module 5: Feedback on Classroom Management Plan Rough Draft Sections 1-6
It's time for our second round of peer reviews! This assignment goes hand-in-hand with our Module 5 Peer Review Forum; you will compile the first six sections of your classroom management plan in ONE document in order to share it with your peers during Module 5. You will also be providing feedback to two of your peers' work using the Peer Review Worksheet. By the end of the week, you will have two reviews of your own work, as well! Please submit both your rough draft of the Classroom Management Plan (sections 1-6) AND the two peer reviews that you completed for your classmates.
Module 6: Benchmark - My Personal Classroom Management Plan
You've done all the hard work laying the foundation for your classroom management plan. Now it's time to review, revise, refine, and reflect! The final draft of your classroom management plan should have a title page, table of contents page, and all resources you've used; include the following sections:
**Need to see a sample? Check this out.
- Professionalism
- Student Engagement Strategies
- My Philosophy of Classroom Management
- Classroom Procedures
- Rules, Consequences, & Reward System
- Classroom Arrangement & Cooperative Learning
- Communication with Families
- Classroom Management Evaluation
- AND a 150-200 word Reflection regarding the feedback you received along the way
**Need to see a sample? Check this out.
Module 7: Clinical Field Experience Verification Form
Here are some tips for submitting your form:
- Resources for completing the Clinical Field Experience Verification Form can be found in the Student Success Center (or here).
- If you are working with a mentor, he/she will sign your completed form.
- If you are watching supplemental videos for your practicum hours, you will be sending ONE form to me via email ([email protected]) and I will sign as your mentor. You can use GCU’s contact info for the school contact info. Please only submit ONE form to me that includes all of your hours/details.
- If you are working with a mentor AND watching supplemental videos, you will have TWO completed forms (one signed by your mentor and one signed by me).
Module 7: Legal & Safety Responsibilities in Education
This assignment asks you to create a 10-12 slide PowerPoint presentation addressing legal and safety issues; be sure to include the following:
- A title slide
- A discussion of the current school/district policies and applicable federal/state/local laws related to teachers responsibilities to protect students' rights and safety
- A discussion of digital citizenship with relevant examples
- A discussion of TWO of the following topics, with relevant examples: Bullying/harassment/intimidation/violence, searches of students, reporting of suspected child abuse, FERPA/students' privacy rights, trauma/traumatic events
- A discussion of ONE of the following topics, with relevant examples: extracurricular teacher assignments/responsibilities, inclusive classrooms/IEPs, management of 1:1 technology, teachers' professional behavior on/off campus/online
- A references slide
- Presenter/slide notes
- Use of at least three resources for support