(and with Parents In Difficult Situations)
EDUC 600
Course Syllabus and Assignments
Course Instructor: Joseph C’de Baca, MaEd. 727-258-7233, info@TeacherRecertification.com
Credit Hours: 3 Quarter Credits Grade Type: Letter Grade
Course Readings: Dealing with Difficult Parents and Parents in Difficult Situations by
Todd Whitaker. (2001). New York: Eye on Education. 193 pages
Course Description:
This course explores the dynamics of today’s difficult parents who may challenge schools or teachers. Analyzing the cause of combative parents such as poverty, affluence and family system dynamics help educators understand these parents. Ways of dealing with and communicating with difficult parents are presented. Strategies for teachers and school personnel to prevent conflict with parents and handling difficult situations are discussed. Presenting bad news to parents as well as increasing parent involvement is also addressed. Educators will research this issue and write an application essay or project activity that addresses difficult parents in schools.
Course Objectives:
1. Educators will review the historical dynamics of today’s parent and their relationship to schools, how that has changed and how to handle parenting situations that may arise.
2. Teachers will be presented with a variety of strategies to communication and cultivating relationships with parents as well as being proactive to avoid potential problems that may arise in difficult situations.
3. Educators will examine ways of presenting bad news or other student deficiencies to parents in a manner that is none threatening and yet is consistent with school policy.
4. Teachers will explore the curriculums focus and how teachers, principal, students, and parents all contribute to the harmony of a positive school experience for students.
5. Educators will then research this topic and parent involvement in monitoring student responsibilities such as homework as well as parent involvement in school activities.
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. An Overview: Dealing with Difficult Parents
2. Today’s Parents: Who Are These Guys? Describing Today’s Parents
3. What’s Wrong with These Parents Anyway?
4. Communicating with Parents: Building Credibility
5. Positive Communication with Parents- an Ounce of Prevention
6. Listen, Learn, and Cultivate 7. Soothing the Savage Beast
8. What if the Parent is Right? 9. Best Way to Get in the Last Word
10. Do You Feel Defensive? If So, Something is Wrong
11. Dealing with Parents in Difficult Situations – Delivering the Bad News
12. But I Did Get A Good Deal – Examining the Car Salesman
13. What if they Use the “F” word – Fair? 14. Focus on the Future
Writing Assignments:
After the chapter reviews, write a two-page paper linking key concepts from the book Dealing with Difficult Parents by Hara Estroff Marano, 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 instructional practice.
Required assignments 1. Book readings 2. Chapter reviews 3. Research article review. 4. Project or activity 5. Final application essay. (APA or MA writing style format.)
Email Assignments:info@TeacherRecertification.com instructor Joseph C’de Baca 727-258-7233 Mail registration: Teachers Learning Center 11246 68th Avenue. 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.
Dealing with Difficult Parents
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 Lesson 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. |
Feel free to email or call the instructor
Joseph C’de Baca with any questions.
info@TeacherRecertification.com
1-727-258-7233
To pay by check remit to:
Teacher’s Learning Center
11246 68th Ave.
Seminole, FL 33772
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