ECS 560 Laws and Policies Full Course Assignments

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:

1. At least 2-3 de-escalation techniques for conflict between Kimber and Crystal.
2. At least 2-3 strategies to create a calm, positive atmosphere for the other students during a conflict.
3. At least 2-3 strategies to incorporate positive interactions between Kimber and Crystal and the other students.
4. 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:

1. Methods of communication for parents/teachers/volunteers/other service providers to promote respectful, reciprocal relationships.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Strategies and procedures for sharing educational and community resources with families of students with and without exceptionalities.
5. 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.

1. 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.
2. 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?
3. How can you utilize your paraprofessionals to maximize student engagement in your classroom as well as help maintain a structured learning environment?
4. 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?
5. 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.