10307263ECE: Authentic Curriculum that Connects with Children
Course Information
Description
Throughout this course, students will learn about the importance of creating curriculum that connects with children from diverse backgrounds. Students will also explore their role as leaders in the classroom and their program in creating a culturally competent environment for children and families. Students will create a capstone project as a summative assessment intended to demonstrate and display what they have learned throughout the four courses comprising this credential. Year Developed - 2019. Developed by University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. The Registry grants permission to all WI institutions of higher education to use these materials.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Apply principles of Backward Design while implementing the teaching cycle.
    Assessment Strategies
    Journal, Visual Representation
    Criteria
    Reflect on current processes used for curriculum planning.
    Explain the relationship between Assessment Based Teaching Cycle and Backward Design.
    Illustrate the stages of the Assessment Based Teaching Cycle using pictorial and written examples from your own teaching experiences.

  2. Demonstrate ability to integrate WMELS and Social Justice Standards throughout the curriculum.
    Assessment Strategies
    Journal, Required Portfolio Artifact - Learning Experience Planning Form
    Criteria
    Demonstrate understanding of WMELS standards and the developmental continuum developed for each.
    Explain the relationship between learning goals, standards, and the role of each in the Backward Design process.
    Identify appropriate learning goals and WMELS standards to serve as the foundation for authentic curriculum planning.

  3. Utilize best practice approaches to supporting literacy development in classrooms serving multiple cultures and languages.
    Assessment Strategies
    Journal, Literature Critique
    Criteria
    Understand the multiple forms of literacy development in young children, and how these forms intersect.
    Identify research-based strategies for supporting dual language learners.
    Critique children’s books for stereotypes and myths.

  4. Use culturally sustaining pedagogical approaches and authentic curriculum approaches.
    Assessment Strategies
    Journal, Glossary of Terminology, Required Portfolio Artifact - Activity Plan
    Criteria
    Understand the meaning of culturally sustaining pedagogy, authentic curriculum, anti-bias education and anti-racist education.
    Reflect on the difference between authentic curriculum and a tourist approach to curriculum planning.
    Utilize authentic and culturally sustaining pedagogical curriculum approaches that meet the needs of all learners and support Social Justice Standards
    Apply the components of "the umbrella framework" as it relates to collaborative planning for young children.

  5. Utilize culturally and linguistically relevant authentic informal assessment strategies as part of the teaching cycle.
    Assessment Strategies
    Journal, Informal Assessments Chart, Required Portfolio Artifact - Learning Experience Planning Form
    Criteria
    Understand the meaning of and critical role of authentic assessment as part of the teaching cycle.
    Critique various forms of assessment for cultural and linguistic appropriateness.
    Employ authentic assessment approaches when working toward identified learning goals and standards.

  6. Model understanding of the need for inclusive early childhood environments that support authentic curriculum goals for diverse learners.
    Assessment Strategies
    Journal, Required Portfolio Artifact - Socially Just Environments and Programs for All Children and Families Presentation
    Criteria
    Examine the environment’s role in supporting inclusivity and authentic curriculum goals.
    Critically critique early childhood environments through the lens of the Social Justice Standards related to Identity, Diversity, Justice and Action.
    Take steps to take to enhance your environment to make it more inclusive and supportive of children and families from diverse backgrounds.

  7. Develop strategies for holding all children to high expectations for thinking and learning.
    Assessment Strategies
    Journal, Contract with Families, Required Portfolio Artifact – Learning Experience Planning Form (Section C)
    Digital files or photographs, evidence of all assessment tools utilized, checklist, time sampling chart, student work samples
    Criteria
    Reflect on own assumptions and expectations related to young children’s ability to think and learn, and whether or not these expectations are culturally rooted.
    Understand the negative impact implicit biases and stereotypes may have on the expectations teachers hold for children from diverse cultures.
    Develop research based strategies for holding each child to appropriately high expectations for thinking and learning.

  8. Critically reflect on own growth and development in related to research based, equity-minded practices.

This Outline is under development.