Assignment 4: Case Study (30%)

Case Overview

This individual assignment consists of creating and writing up a case study around the language and mathematical/ scientific development of a child between the ages of three and seven years. Using information from observations, interviews, and student and parent perspectives, you will work closely with one child of your choosing to determine the child’s perspective and knowledge of reading and writing, mathematical reasoning and problem-solving. You will identify his or her needs in the areas of early literacy and numeracy and make theory-based recommendations and interventions that you will undertake to ensure the success of your chosen child in his or her language and mathematical development.

Process/Procedures

For this case study project, you will:

Choose a child and get permission to observe the child (teacher, parent). Provide proof of your permission letter in the appendix.

Have a conversation with the child to help you learn about her/his literacy and numeracy attitudes and knowledge. Provide the interview questions used in your appendix.

Have a conversation with someone in the child’s family or the class teacher to learn about the child’s home or classroom literacy and numeracy habits.

Observe the child in at least 3 different instructional settings, each of which will give you lots of opportunity to learn about the child and find ways to enhance his/her (and your own) understanding of early literacy and numeracy;

Take anecdotal notes while you observe the child;

Review all the data you have collected;

Share what you have learned in a professionally prepared paper, which also includes your anecdotal notes, evidence and reflections.

Product

Your Case Study must respond directly to each of the following steps and questions:

Part I—Description/Overview of the Project (Maximum length ½ page)

The first part of this assignment will provide the reader with an overview of the project. Introduce the project. Begin with an introductory paragraph in which you explain the purpose of the assignment. (Assignment length 10-12 pages)

Introduction (1-2 pages)

Give the child's name (Use a pseudonym), age, family make up, and a brief description of his physical appearance as well as the child’s unique characteristics and needs. If you can find out, describe the child's environment at home and/or at school. Identify the socioeconomic status of the child’s family. Describe the school and the particular class in which you are completing this field experience.

Why did you select this child for your case study?

Be sure to provide a basic context for selecting this child. What language or mathematical theory(ies) provides (provide) a framework for working with this child?

Section 2. Language Domain: (2-3 pages)

Tasks: Observe the child during reading lessons/sessions (Shared reading, individual reading, group reading, guided reading, interactive read-aloud lessons etc.). As the child participates in the reading sessions take anecdotal notes about the child’s reading behaviours. Write a description of your observations. What conclusions can you draw from your observations? Offer hypotheses to explain what you have observed. What theories of language development can you use to explain your observations about the reading and language development behaviours of your subject? Include references and resources in your reference section.

Section 3 Domain: Writing Development (2-3 pages)

Observe your subject for evidence of writing and spelling development. As the child writes, take notes about what you see. At the end of the class, review the child’s writing and spelling strategies based on the written evidence of writing and spelling produced by the child. What did you learn about the child’s writing and spelling development? Offer hypotheses to explain what you have observed. What theoretical perspectives in emergent literacy can you use to explain or justify the phenomena observed?

Section 4: Domain Emerging Numeracy and Science (2-3 pages)

Observe your subject during the regular Numeracy and Science-based activities in the classroom. What activities interest him or her and how does the child choose those activities? Using your anecdotal observations or informal interviews with the teacher, what evidence do you see of the child’s mathematical and /or science development? His or her problem-solving abilities? His or her level of reasoning in the domains of early math and science? Are there specific strengths observed in these domains? Are there areas that need improvement? What theoretical perspectives in early mathematics and science can you use to inform and justify your conclusions about the mathematical and scientific development and awareness of your subject?

Section 5. Summary and Interpretations. (11/2-2 pages)

In this section, summarize your findings about the child, backing them up with specific details from your data. Discuss the aspects of language and mathematical development in which the child seems to have strengths or needs, as well as any interesting patterns you see.

Based on your study of the child, identify and present a rationale for two of the child’s most immediate developmental needs in the language, numeracy or science domain

What actions will you take to begin to promote positive development and challenge the child to gain new competencies in each of the two areas that you have identified?

Describe immediate and long-term actions you will take to help the child meet each of the two goals you have selected. In your response to this question, make sure that you explain what standards, best-practices, and developmental research and principles you are using as a basis for your actions.

Summary

Summarize the most important points regarding this child in the areas of language, science and mathematical development. Be sure to conclude your case study with a strong and convincing presentation.

As part of your case study, include a range of references apart from the course and unit readings. These references should support your case study’s main ideas.

Ensure that all observation notes are included in an appendix.

Assignment 4: Case Study (30%) Case Overview This individual...