
Course Syllabus and Assignments
Instructor Contact: Joseph C’de Baca, MaEd. 727-258-7233, info@graduatecoursesonline.com
Credit Hours: 3 Semester Credits Grade Type: Letter Grade
Course Readings:
Achievement for African-American Students: Strategies for the Diverse Classroom
by Gary Reglin. (1995) Bloomington ID: Solution Tree Press. 114 pages
Course Description:
This course addresses achievement for African-American students by describing the behaviors and interactions with urban African-American students. Planning lessons inclusive of African American culture and interests are presented. Teachers will examine the latest research as it applies to academic achievement among Afro-American students. Educators will learn about improving instruction and academic achievement among all students. They will research the issue and develop writings, lessons or activities for classroom application to help students to become successful in school.
Course Objectives:
1. Teachers will develop a framework of knowledge and understanding of the various strategies for improving achievement for African-American students in the classroom and school situations.
2. Educators taking this course will learn about planning lessons inclusive to African- American culture as well as capitalizing on student interests.
3. Teachers will learn about the effective interactions with Urban African American
students and develop an awareness of African American gender issues.
4. Educators will examine the involvement of African-American parents in their child's educational experience and ways to improve support for schools.
5. Teachers will examine these complex issues and develop a lesson or unit plan that utilizes strategies or activities in the book and how they can use instructional techniques for improving student achievement and behavior in schools.
Chapter Review/Reflections: Write several paragraphs summarizing the main ideas or information you thought was significant from each chapter in the book. Extended bullet points of main issues are also acceptable. See rubric for guidelines.
Chapters:
1. Restructuring Instruction and Behaviors
2. New and Adapted Teaching Strategies for Multicultural Students
3. Effective Interactions with Urban African American Male Students
4. Involving African-American Parents in Their Children's Education
5. Conclusion - Resources - Staff Development - Bibliography
After the chapter reviews, write a two-page paper linking key concepts from the
book,Achievement for African-American Students: Strategies for the Diverse Classroom
to your specific classroom context. By focusing your essay on an area of interest that is relevant to your teaching or professional experience, you will enhance your capacity to apply new concept learned in this class. You may choose to specifically focus your paper on classroom-management strategies from the book that are a change from your typical teaching methodology or practice.
Respond to Questions
1. What are some of the strategies listed in chapter 1 might you consider implementing
in your classroom?
2. How could teachers include African-American culture into their lessons or instruction?
3. What are some of the social, cultural and socio-economic values that may impact student achievement for African American students?
4. Describe some possible ideas from chapter 4 about involving African American parents in their child's educational experience.
5. List several other considerations that may be implemented in schools and classrooms
that could improve educational attainment for African-American students.
Requiredassignments include: 1. Book readings 2. Chapter reviews 3. Research article review 4. Final application essay 5. project or activity (APA or MA writing style format.)
EmailAssignments:info@graduatecoursesonline.com instructor Joseph C'de Baca 727-258-7233
Mail registration: Teachers Learning Center 11246 68th Ave. Seminole, FL 33772
Grading |
|
Grade Distribution |
Chapter Reviews & Reflections |
30% |
90 - 100 = A |
DVD Movie Review/Reflection |
20% |
80 - 89 = B |
Project or Activity |
30% |
70 - 79 = C |
Application Essay |
20% |
0 - 69 = D - F |
Total |
100% |
|
Letter Grade |
% |
Possible Points Points Earned |
A |
90-100 |
100 |
B |
80-89 |
70 |
C |
70-79 |
50 |
Re-Write Assignments |
Based on Rubric Score |
Academic Standards: Academic standards that apply to this course will vary from state to state. Visit your district or state educational websites for academic standards that may apply to specific courses or subject areas and apply them as needed.
Achievement for African-American Students
Course Assignments and Rubric
Chapter Reviews/Reflections
Chapter Reviews |
Basic (50 pts.) |
Proficient (60 pts.) |
Advanced (70 pts.) |
Read the book and write chapter reviews and reflections for each chapter. Write 3 to 6 paragraphs summarizing the ideas, knowledge, and information that you thought was significant from each chapter. Consider reflecting on a paragraph or a concept that was enlightening and applicable to teaching. Address or apply any state, district, or national academic standards. Expanded bullet points of main issues are also acceptable. Include your personal experiences, ideas, and critical analysis. |
Writes a basic narrative of the chapters’ contents. Includes major points expressed by the author. Includes at least one citation or example. |
Writes a general narrative of the chapters' contents with limited personal reflection. Expresses major points of each chapter. Writing includes any state, district, or national academic standards that apply. Includes several citations or examples. |
Writes a complete narrative of the main points of each chapter. Writes personal reflections that include the student's experiences with these issues as they relate to their personal classroom experience. Expresses major points of each chapter and provides in-depth elaboration. Includes any state, district, or national academic standards that apply. Includes critical analysis of the course’s positive and/or limiting content and offers solutions as they apply to instructional applications in classrooms and schools. Error-free. |
Research Article Review Rubric Assignment:
Article Review |
Basic (10 pts) |
Proficient (15 pts) |
Advanced (20 pts) |
Research course topic and locate a relevant article that relates to the course content. Write an article review and personal reflection connecting article with the course content and school environment. (3 to 6 pages) *Include a copy of the article utilized in this assignment. |
Writes review of article with basic citation information and briefly shows connection between course and article content. |
Writes review of article with a few references of information. Some critical analysis and solutions. Explores the connection between course and article content, showing full understanding of both interrelationship for teaching considerations. |
Writes review of article with several informative references and thoroughly demonstrates the connection between article and course content. Reflection incorporates abstract and critical analysis and alternatives or solutions. Personal experiences and perspectives are included. Review applies information learned to potential classroom situations. |
Required Unit Plan or Activity Rubric
Activity Lesson/Unit Plans |
Basic (10 pts.) |
Proficient (20 pts.) |
Advanced (30 pts.) |
Write a unit or lesson plan, project or activities that demonstrate the course concepts in a school classroom or instructional environment. (3 to 6 pages) Other activities include: staff development, state academic standards, parent outreach, department or committee work, curriculum development, presentations, and school events. |
Creates a minimal activity and lesson plan that briefly demonstrates a simple application of a course concept or strategy that can be utilized in classrooms for instructional and/or evaluative applications. |
Creates a general activity and lesson plan or unit plan that demonstrates two or more course applications of the various topics or concepts. Includes any state, district, or national academic standards that apply. Contains a variety of teaching or learning styles and concrete or abstract practical applications of a concept from the course materials. |
Creates a detailed activity and lesson plan or unit plan that includes a variety of teaching and learning styles. Contains concrete and abstract activities for practical classroom applications of several concepts from the course content. Addresses any state, district, or national academic standards in the activity. Creates a lesson plan or activity that helps students utilize course content to apply the knowledge or skills to school curriculum for their affective needs and improving academic achievement. |
Final-Application Essay Rubric Assignment
Final-Application Essay |
Basic (10 pts.) |
Proficient (20 pts.) |
Advanced (30 pts.) |
Write an essay (3 to 6 pages ) combining all the course content or assignments and show how they can be applied to teaching students, schools settings and staff and personal development. |
Writes an essay addressing how the course content can be applied to classroom instruction, student achievement, and the overall school environment. |
Writes an essay with one or two examples of how various course concepts can be developed and implemented in the classroom and school environments. Writing addresses any state, district, or national academic standards. Addresses instructional methods, teaching strategies and effective lessons as well as students' affective needs and academic achievement. |
Writes a thorough essay with multiple examples of how various course concepts can be developed and implemented in classroom and schools. Includes student's personal and experiential reflections and any state, district, or national academic standards that apply. Writing has critical analysis of the course’s positive and/or limiting content and offers solutions as they apply to instructional applications in classrooms and schools. Addresses instructional methods, teaching strategies and effective lessons as well as the affective needs of students along with academic achievement. |
