10307128Engaging Youth in Groups (Madison)
Course Information
Description
This course explores the dynamics of working with children and youth ages 5 to 12 in groups and group settings. Examination of program and group relationship factors that support or inhibit positive adult-to-youth and peer-to-peer relationships. Students develop knowledge and skills for designing program spaces, using multiple grouping formats in programs, facilitating group activities, fostering youth social skills and peer relationships, using positive guidance techniques, and leadership techniques promoting youth choice and active participation.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Design programming for diverse groups and individuals within afterschool and youth programs.
    Assessment Strategies
    Write a comparison and contrast piece of the structure and assignment of youth to classrooms or activity groups
    Write a weekly schedule for an afterschool youth program serving 80 children ranging in age from 5 to 12, given facility and participant parameters
    Criteria
    Prepare notes for discussion that differentiates the structure and assignment of youth to classrooms or activity groups
    Differentiate ways to structure and assign youth to classrooms or activity groups for a year-long afterschool youth program.
    Develop weekly afterschool schedule for a large group

  2. Develop a facilitative learning environment that is developmentally appropriate for youth ages 5-12.
    Assessment Strategies
    Complete a personality and leadership self-assessments
    Complete an interactional style assessment with a co-worker/ mentor
    Write an reflection of your approach to group-based leadership interactions with youth
    Criteria
    Explore personality and leadership self-assessments
    Participate in  a personality and leadership self-assessments that foster self-understanding of one’s leadership style with others
    Explore an interactional style assessment
    Participate in an interactional style assessment with a co-worker/ mentor
    Explore reflective practice writing about group-based leadership

  3. Cultivate guidance techniques that enhance group experiences.
    Assessment Strategies
    Present case study on social and problem behaviors and techniques for resolving behavior issues
    Submit Case Study on social and problem behaviors
    Submit completed reading list of six friendship and social behavior children’s books that are intended for at least two school age groups
    Criteria
    Assess real world case situations and scenarios of social and problem behaviors
    Explain behavior and techniques for resolving behavior issues
    Create a friendship and social behavior reading list

  4. Design group activities and spaces based on sociogram analysis.
    Assessment Strategies
    Submit a sociogram analysis of your program
    Present new activities to class
    Submit new activities
    Criteria
    Investigate sociogram construction through selected reading and research
    Design new activity spaces using sociogram data
    Design social skill building group activities
    Conduct a sociogram analysis in your program
    Plan activities that engage youth in new social interactions based on sociogram data
    Develop 3 developmentally appropriate social skill building group activities
    Facilitate 1 social skill building group activity with your peers

  5. Create group experiences that incorporate appropriate organization, flexibility, safe environments and healthy practices.
    Assessment Strategies
    Write a plan for program supply purchases within a given budget
    Submit an indoor group space plan
    Present your indoor group spaces design
    Submit 3 ideas for contents of activity backpacks holding materials that quickly construct activity spaces and/or activities for school-age youth
    Criteria
    Create a plan for purchase of program supplies and equipment
    Design indoor group spaces
    Show ideas for contents of 1 of the 3 portable developmentally appropriate activity backpacks

  6. Design group experiences to promote engagement, learning and cooperative group skills.
    Assessment Strategies
    Write an adaptive lesson plan that modifies a competitive or individualistic activity or board game to a cooperative group activity
    Write a cooperative activities lesson plan differentiated by age, including ages and activity rationale
    Criteria
    Create an individual/competitive to cooperative/group adaptive  lesson plan
    Design a lesson plan consisting of cooperative activities

  7. Create group management strategies to improve guidance and support for groups as well as individuals.
    Assessment Strategies
    Lead a developmentally appropriate cooperative icebreaker, game, or learning activity with your peers
    Submit completed group project activity plan
    Submit your compiled selection of group games and activities that build skills and enhance group functioning given characteristics and stages of group development
    Present one new engaging group activity idea that builds skills and enhances group functioning with your peers
    Submit 2 activity choices or engaging group activities that build social skills and friend skill development
    Criteria
    Design group activity plans that include cooperative icebreakers, games, and learning activities
    Compile a selection of group games and activities
    Design 2 new activity choices or engaging group activities

  8. Incorporate new elements into After School and Youth Program Credential Portfolio.
    Assessment Strategies
    Add new sections of the web-based electronic portfolio
    Add required portfolio elements under the appropriate tab
    Complete required portfolio elements according to portfolio guide
    Manage portfolio regularly with required components for eventual submission to the Credential Commission
    Criteria
    Develop Section 2: Core Competency Areas
    Construct 10 tabs – based on the Core Knowledge and Competencies for Afterschool and Youth Development Professionals from the National Afterschool Association including:
    Child/Youth Growth and Development
    Learning Environments and Curriculum
    Youth Observation and Assessment
    Interactions with Children and Youth
    Youth Engagement
    Cultural Competency and Responsiveness
    Family/School and Community Relationships
    Safety and Wellness
    Program Planning and Development
    Professional Development and Leadership