Lynn,
Here are chapters 12, 13, and 14 combined. Check out how the tasks are broken up over the two week and give me some feedback on it. This is a change for students and I hope it doesn't completely throw them off! I really needed to add chapter 12 to explain 13 and 14, and didn't want to just cram it in on top of discussion board tasks. I think students will welcome the change of pace, but maybe not. Let me know what you think!

Week 12?:
Chapters 12, 13, and 14
Note: There are 2 parts to this week's assignment:
1. Reading Assignment:
Chapter 12: Goals, Set Up, Materials, and Strategies
Chapter 13: Two-Dimensional Art
Chapter 14: Three-Dimensional Art

The assignment strategy changes during week 12 and 13(?) because we are covering three chapters in two weeks. Important: Read the instructions for both assignments right now, and ask questions if you need clarification on anything! Don’t wait until next week. Essentially, you will spend the first week reading the three chapters and planning your activities for the second week, then spend the second week carrying out your activities and writing up your assessment of those activities to share on the discussion board. Follow these directions carefully!
As you read the three chapters, take notes and highlight important elements to use in the following week’s post.
2. The second part of this week’s assignment is to contact teachers of young children and ask to visit their classrooms next week to observe both a two-dimensional art activity and a three-dimensional art activity. You will use the Observation Sheets below to document your observations and to plan your post for next week.

Discussion Board by midnight on Friday:
Submit a post (at least 100 words) to this weeks discussion board in which you tell us about your progress in reading the chapters (have you finished all 3 chapters?), briefly tell us your reactions to the three chapters, and confirm that you have made solid plans to visit classrooms for observations next week.

Note: There is no requirement for replies to peers in this week’s discussion board, but you are welcome to reply if you wish. The focus this week is on reading and understanding the three chapters, and making plans for classroom observations.

Initial post potentially worth 10 points.


Week 13?
No further reading for this week
Discussion Board by midnight on Friday:
Carry out your observations this week and document your observations using the 2 sheets below. You can print these out to take to the classroom, or use your laptop computer to document observations.

• Observation Sheet: Two Dimensional Activities (attachment)
• Observation Sheet: Three Dimensional Activities (attachment)

Discussion Board by midnight on Friday:
Using the notes you took while reading the chapters and your Observation Sheets, and write an essay (at least 500 words) in which you address all of the following:

• Age/Grade level of children observed:
• Amount of time spent observing:
• Number of children in group:
• Descriptive statements for all of the items on the observation sheet that you observed:
• Your rating of this lesson as to how it ranks in encouraging children’s creativity:
• 1 – Poor
• 2 – Below Average
• 3 – Average
• 4 – Above Average
• 5 – Excellent
• Rationale for rating:
• Suggestions for Improvements (including at least 2 ideas from the reading, cited):


Initial posts for this assignment should be at least 500 words in length, and include at least two ideas from the reading assignment (cited, of course).

Discussion Board by midnight Sunday:
Respond to at least three other student’s posts.

Initial post and a minimum of 3 replies: potentially worth 10 points.