ECE II Notebook

Introducing... Your Notebook for Early Childhood Education II What? –Your notebook will be a 2- to 3-inch three- ring-binder, preferably with a view-through cover. –The binder will be used to store your work for each unit of the course. It will contain a section called “Learning Log” that will serve as a place to journal your thoughts, responses, reflections, and questions.

Why? The purpose of your student notebook is to help you organize and keep track of what you are learning and doing. You will have opportunities to personalize and process the information you are given in class. As you did last year, you will use your notebook for notes, assignments, and other creative activities. You will also use your notebook as a “starter” resource to prepare your ECE portfolio. You will take the portfolio with you when you complete the program and use it as you plan for and seek further study and work opportunities in the early childhood field. All of this is designed to empower you to become an independent thinker and will put you in charge, to a large extent, of your own learning and your own future.

When? You will use your notebook almost every day, either for instructional or internship activities. You may pick up your notebook each day when you arrive and return it near the end of the class period.

Where? Your notebook will be stored in an assigned place in the classroom and should be returned there at the end of each class. During the year, the notebook is not to be taken home with you or to other rooms in the school building. When you complete Early Childhood Education II, you will be given both your ECE I and ECE II notebooks.

How? Your notebook will be organized into five main sections, one for each unit of the course and one for your Learning Log. It will contain a cover, first page, table of contents pages, unit divider pages with tabs, unit content pages, Learning Log divider page with tab, and Learning Log content pages. See the next page, “How to Set Up Your Notebook” for detailed suggestions about how to prepare the parts of your notebook.

How to Set Up Your Notebook Cover –Decorate the cover of your notebook to represent who you are and what makes you unique. –You may include photos, words, and/or clip art. –For binders with a see-through cover, prepare on separate paper/card stock and slide into place. –For binders without a see-through cover, decorate your cover, then secure with clear contact paper.

First Page Use the first page to show the early childhood career that you are interested in. Include one or more pictures to illustrate that career. Write your career goal in one sentence. Note that as you go through the course, you may revise this page as needed to reflect your goal.

Table of Contents Prepare one Table of Contents (TOC) page for each unit and one for the Learning Log section. Prepare each TOC page in a two-column format, with the title of each activity listed on the left and the beginning page number on the right. –Use a computerized table format if you wish. As you complete activities, record the name of each activity by title.

Unit Divider Pages Prepare a unit divider page for each unit –A: Planning and Managing Programs –B: Developmentally Appropriate Practice for Early Childhood Programs –C: Working with Special Groups of Children and Child Care Issues –D: Career Development and Professionalism Each divider page must have a tab. –Option: Recycle manila folders, cut and shape to make tabs. At the beginning of the course, label each divider page with the name and letter of the unit. Label each tab with the word Unit and the letter – for example, “Unit A.” Decorate each divider page while studying the unit so you can incorporate what you are learning. Follow the Rule for decorating –use at least 3 colors, 3 pictures, and 3 facts in your design. After your design is complete, you may need to use clear contact paper to secure it.

Unit Content Pages As you receive handouts, write your name and the date in the top right corner. If you receive an “Unpacked Content” or syllabus, place that at the front of the unit. Prepare a page for recording your grades for each unit. This should be the second page of each unit. If you receive a page of “Key Terms,” place that at the back of the unit. Unless otherwise instructed, place all other pages behind the grades page in order of date received.

Learning Log Divider Page Prepare a divider page with a tab for your Learning Log. Label the tab and the page with the words “Learning Log.” Decorate your Learning Log divider page following the Rule After your design is complete, use clear contact paper to secure if needed.

Learning Log Content Pages You will be expected to add at least one new entry to your Learning Log each week. Entries in the Learning Log may be responses to questions or writing prompts given in class or things you want to write about what you are learning and what you are doing in your internship. Each entry in the Learning Log must be dated

Table of Contents Prepare one Table of Contents (TOC) page for each unit and one for the Learning Log section. Prepare each TOC page in a two-column format, with the title of each activity listed on the left and the beginning page number on the right. Use a computerized table format if you wish. As you complete activities, record the name of each activity by title.

Unit Divider Pages Prepare a unit divider page for each unit –A: Planning and Managing Programs –B: Developmentally Appropriate Practice for Early Childhood Programs –C: Working with Special Groups of Children and Child Care Issues –D: Career Development and Professionalism. Each divider page must have a tab. Option: Recycle manila folders, cut and shape to make tabs. At the beginning of the course, label each divider page with the name and letter of the unit. Label each tab with the word Unit and the letter –for example “Unit A” Decorate each divider page while studying the unit so you can incorporate what you are learning. –Follow the Rule for decorating --- use at least 3 colors, 3 pictures, and 3 facts in your design. After your design is complete, you may need to use clear contact paper to secure it.

3-3-3 RULE Decorate each divider page while studying the unit or after you have studied the unit so you can incorporate what you are learning. Follow the Rule for decorating your unit divider and learning log page –use at least 3 colors, 3 pictures, and 3 facts in your design.