COLLEGE OF SAINT MARY

EDU/SPE/ECE 240 Guidance and Professional Collaboration

Course Syllabus

Fall 2005

Course Objectives: This is a required course for education majors which stresses the importance of providing students an emotionally healthy classroom environment. Students learn techniques, models and psychological theories of related to managing individuals, small and large group learning activities. Practical methods are emphasized that enhance self control and self concept. Students identify potential problem situations and anticipate strategies to prevent them. Age appropriate behaviors for young children through secondary school are compared with problem behaviors of various intensity which may require special intervention or placement. Common behavior problems of exceptional children and assessment techniques are addressed. Special issues and needs of families of exceptional children including local, state and national laws and agencies are discussed. "Hands on" learning is provided through participation in a service-learning component. Effective communication skills with students, families and professionals are emphasized.

Attendance Policy:

It is a necessary job skill that teachers develop the habit of consistent attendance. Call instructor prior to missing class. Follow-up with peers or professor to obtain information missed. This course is built on hands on experiences and attendance is necessary for learning and meeting the objectives. Missing class will jeopardize you grade. Each tardy or early departure will lower your grade 1%. Each absence will lower your grade 2%. Exceptions can only be made at the discretion of the professor.

Should adverse weather conditions cause the cancellation of class, an announcement will be made on the radio. If in doubt call the professor.

Important Information:

Students who will do well in this course have enthusiasm, attend regularly, score well on tests, complete outside projects and assignments, and participate in class.

CSM seeks to maintain a supportive academic environment for students with disabilities. If you have a disability and need accommodations to succeed in this course, please contact me to verify that the required documentation is filed with the Academic Affairs Office and that an accommodation plan is in place. Please remember that the law places the responsibility on you, the student, to notify the College of your disability and to request information.

If you have a certifiable learning or physical disability and require special accommodations, please call and make an appointment with Julie Taylor Costello in the Achievement Center ADA office at 399-2366. Considerable lead-time is required for accommodations, so it is important that your request is received in the Achievement Center ADA office as early in the semester as possible. Please note: your request will be handled confidentially.

All forms of dishonesty and misconduct including cheating, plagiarism, and forgery, knowingly furnishing false information to the instructor, and intentional disruption or obstruction of learning or teaching will not be tolerated. At the professors discretion these acts will result in a failing grade for the course and a letter regarding the behavior will be filed with Academic Affairs and Student Affairs offices. All work should be your own and must represent new work prepared specifically for this class.

Quality of work. Assessment of the quality of your written and oral communication skills will be included in the evaluation of your work. These two skills are professionally very important for teachers. All written work is to be typed, double-spaced, and must include correct grammar, form, punctuation and spelling. All sources must be cited with complete bibliographic references. (See APA guide) You will use technology skills in this class to explore resources and create lesson plans, e-mail reflective journals and class presentations.