None

Course examines the group as a vehicle for promoting constructive individual and collective growth.  Topics explore individual’s relationship with other staff, children, and parents, with focus on achieving group goals, effective classroom management through team communication, and positive relationships with parents.

At the conclusion of the course, students who satisfactorily complete all work will:

A.    Be familiar with the principles of group process.
B.    Recognize characteristics which promote good group functioning and the qualities which characterize good group members.
C.    Understand the process of interpersonal communication and its importance in group process and decision making.
D.    Be aware of the group dynamics of the classroom (Teacher/children, teacher/staff, teacher/parents.)

Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic integrity and follow Oakton's Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:

• cheating,
• plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
• falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
• helping others to cheat,
• unauthorized changes on official documents,
• pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
• making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
• any other behavior that violates academic integrity.

There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton's policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.

A.    Communication Skills

B.    Teacher in a Group
1.    Staff Communication
a.    Self Understanding
b.    Interstaff Relations
2.    Staffing Partners
a.    Self contained classroom
b.    Team Teaching
c.    Large Center vs. Small Center
3.    Creating a Healthy Environment in the Classroom
4.    Staff Meetings
5.    Professional Development

C.    Children in Groups
1.    Role of Teacher
a.    How the teacher acts, feels, and interacts with groups of children
b.    Roles teachers play in the classroom
1.    Leader authority
2.    Model
3.    Counselor
4.    Creator
5.    Storyteller
6.    Actor
7.    Evaluator
2.    Children’s groups-studying children in groups.
a.    Group membership roles
b.    Mixed age vs. same age
c.    Large group vs. small group
d.    Friendship patterns – interaction patterns
e.    Understanding children’s feelings

D.    Classroom Management
1.    Group instruction with young children
2.    Discipline
a.    Setting limits
b.    Scheduling
c.    Transitions
d.    Dealing with aggressive behavior

E.    Working with Parents
1.    Parents involvement in the classroom
2.    Incidental meetings with parents
3.    Conferences
4.    Planning and conducting parent meetings

Methods of presentation include lectures, class discussion, films, guest speakers, observations, exercises in group interaction, group projects.
Course may be taught as face-to-face, media-based, hybrid or online course.

A.    Students will be required to present a group project to the class.  Project topics will be discussed and decided on in the group and checked with the instructor prior to the class presentation.
B.    Quizzes and examinations will be given to assess the student’s theoretical knowledge of group process.
C.    Observations of groups in action.  A written observation report is required.

Varies by instructor.

Tests, reports, oral presentation, and written assignments.

The instructor will provide each class with further information as to attendance, policies, and support systems.

Plagiarism/Cheating policies are covered under the Academic Dishonesty Section of the current catalog.

If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in the Learning Center. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.