Prior to beginning this assignment, you should review pages 7, 8, and 9 of the ECERS book, which explains how this tool is used. Then watch the ECERS Training Video. The Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale is a widely used system for assessing the quality of an early childhood environment. The video provides insight for ‘how-to’ use the ECERS system and may be helpful to address questions or concerns. You can find it at: https://vimeo.com/20883172.
When you are comfortable with how to use the ECERS, use the book and plenty of paper for notes as you watch the videos based upon your selected track. You can choose to watch the videos of preschool environments or the video showing Kindergarten environments,
Your task is to assess the classroom and outdoor area you observe on your selected videos, using the following items:
* Space and Furnishing (Items 1 through 7)
* Learning Activities (Items 17 through 27)
You should assess and score each of these items, taking notes as justification along the way. When you have completed your observation, please submit a 3-page typed paper using APA formatting, addressing the 17 items (1 to 7 and 17 to 27) individually. Provide the name of the item and what score was given. Then, provide a short description of what you observed and your rationale/ justification for your score.
Track 1 – Preschool Observation
For students interested in completing the PreK observation, your journey will follow Alexa Borrego who shares a three-day internship activity at the Little People’s Landing Center in Highlands Ridge, Colorado.
Additionally, you will meet Joyce Mee, a PreK teacher from Jubilee School in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. Ms. Mee provides a glimpse of a typical day working with PreK children. As she shares, ‘the children are not actors so what you see is what you get’ (2016, 1:32 minutes) in a typical day of a PreK classroom.
Pre-School Training Videos
Approximately 98 minutes
Borrego, A. (2017). Day care observation video #1. Little People’s Landing Observation. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDg2hR1FPgA
(31:14 minutes).
Borrego, A. (2017). Day care observation video #2. Little People’s Landing Observation. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljahBVDaBNE&t=4s
(27:46 minutes)
Borrego, A. (2017). Day care observation video #3. Little People’s Landing Observation. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz0Oh2cxoTU
(28:02 minutes)
Mee, C. (2009). A day in the life of Pre-K. Northwest School Division. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4KDE3CA6qo
(10:09 minutes)
Track 2 – Kindergarten Fieldwork
For students interested in a kindergarten fieldwork observation, Bridget Spackman will take on a ‘behind the scenes’ look at life of a kindergarten teacher. From organizational development, classroom setup, and student instruction, Spackman demonstrates a typical day in the life of a kindergarten teacher.
Additionally, you will view a training resource video created by the British Columbia Principals’ and Vice Principals’ Association. In this video you will explore a full-day of kindergarten as you gain insight for delivering a vibrant, effective kindergarten program
Kindergarten Training Videos
Approximately 72 minutes
BCPVPA Videos. (2013). Full-day kindergarten: Exemplar videos. 4 part series. British Columbia Principals’ and Vice Principals’ Association. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwU07NFMqKA
(51:38 minutes)
Spackman, B. (2016). A day in the life of a teacher. The Lettered Classroom. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuVY4IIuU6g
(20:15 minutes).
