Week by Week: Plans for Documenting Children's Development with Professional Enchancement Booklet

Week by Week: Plans for Documenting Children's Development, 4e is a reference that not only presents the technical aspects of many various methods of documentation, it also reviews domains of development and the efficiency of each method to capture important information. Early childhood professionals should be keeping written records for every child in their group, documenting events, achievements, and concerns. There are many methods or types of documentation to use. The dilemma of both child development learners and professionals is how to manage detailed, meaningful documentation while attending to all the functions that they need to perform to keep children safe and actively involved in learning. This book is an all-purpose guide for learners and practitioners to gather meaningful developmental information. The new online companion contains forms and additional resources that will assist in using the child assessments to guide curriculum planning. Also added to this new edition are ?It Happened To Me? vignettes that illustrate key points and are both entertaining as well as illustrative of the experiences of real professionals. It also includes an expanded discussion of the implications of No Child Left Behind and authentic assessment by portfolio documentation. The book can be useful for courses in observation methods, child development, curriculum planning and practicum. This reference is a must-have that provides a year's plan for gathering developmental data on every child; something every classroom teacher needs.

Review :
"The textbook features are excellent. The vignettes, topics in observation, review sections, and summary sections including uses, advantages, disadvantages, pitfalls, and technology suggestions are all great. I love the "It Happened to Me"; who of us has not experienced at least one of these moments in our experience with children"' Alice D. Beyrent, M.Ed., Hesser College, Manchester, NH "Week by Week is a comprehensive text, which effectively combines the personal, practical and professional to provide student teachers and practitioners with a complete system for looking closely at young children's progress and development.... There were points when I found that I was reading the text with as much absorption as if I were reading a novel." - Elizabeth A. Jenkins, Orlando Tech, Orlando, FL Strong organization of various methods of documentation that teachers can implement. The preface and introduction were both extremely informative. Chapter layout is organized, well formatted, and user-friendly. Topics in Observation" and "It Happened to Me" sections were very useful. "Key Terms" were useful. Glossary was great. Chapter-ending "Plans" could be integrated into classroom discussion. "Review" boxes can be used as a quick reference when text is used by a practitioner. Text gives user flexibility and options for observing children. Language is appropriate. Writing style is easy to follow. Wonderful job of explaining the importance of observation; great description of creating a portfolio; great job of teaching methods of observing and recording children; "It Happened to Me" and "How to Find Time" features are strong. Preface thoroughly explains book's purpose. Introduction tells reader how to use book. Layout, use of illustrations, lists, and diagrams break up content and make it more readable. Topics are relevant and appropriate. Author identified all major types of recording methods and connected them to a specific area of development. Has an updated research base and provides new information; designed to be a useful guide; very specific and detailed; text accurately reflects appropriate assessment for young children; and organization is logical. Author's tone is conversational, which lends itself well to topics presented. Author uses great examples and exercises. Author provides comprehensive research base that has been updated to reflect current trends and focuses in the profession. Information is clearly presented. Author connects other forms of recording formats to each developmental topic. Application section is useful to all audiences. Both Preface and Introduction help reader understand author's intent and objectives. Diagrams summarize and illustrate developmental information. The two-color format is likeable. Features are excellent: vignettes, Topics in Observation, review sections, and summary sections including uses, advantages, disadvantages, pitfalls, and technology suggestions are all great.