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Art of Awareness, The: How Observation Can Transform Your Teaching
Deb Curtis, Redleaf Press
Margie Carter
Redleaf Press

ISBN-10: 0131727958
ISBN-13: 9780131727953

Publisher: Merrill
Copyright: 2006
Format: Paper; 192 pp
Published: 08/10/2005

Suggested retail price: $32.67
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Core or supplemental text for Observation or Assessment in Early Childhood Education courses in Early Childhood Education department or in Child and Family Studies department.

 

This very practical book is organized in chapters by what children do--explore and invent, use their senses, seek drama and adventure, connect with nature, espress themselves through literacy activities--and how to observe these behaviors. Other chapters include how to record, document, and display observations.  A very practical book written by well-known authors in the field.

  • Series of Study Sessions-Designed to heighten observation skills in the classroom, as well as learning to really see children, not for the purposes of analyzing, but to value who they are and the experiences of childhood.  (Ex. pp 1-8).
  • Study Session activities throughout-Help to replace labels or preconceptions, with a simple appreciation of the descriptive details of what the teacher is actually seeing.  (Ex. pp 44, 57).
  • Foundational ideas and practical strategies-Heighten self-awareness to develop an overall sense of objectivity when dealing with students and the classroom environment. (Ex. pp 124, 128).
  • Photographs and observation stories throughout the text-Valuable resources from the actual text, including examples of teachers' self-reflections and communications with childrens' families.  (Ex. pp 23-24, 107-110).
  • List of resources at the end of every chapter-Opportunities to further one's thinking, sharpen skills, and nourish the spirit.  (Ex. pp 115).

Introduction

Chapter 1  A New Way of Being with Children: Overview of the Study Sessions

Chapter 2  Study Session: Learning to See

Chapter 3  Study Session: Observing for Children's Perspectives

Chapter 4  Study Session: Observing How Children Use Their Senses

Chapter 5  Study Session: Observing How Children Explore, Invent, and Construct

Chapter 6  Study Session: Observing How Children Connect with the Natural World

Chapter 7  Study Session: Observing How Children Seek Power, Drama, and Adventure

Chapter 8  Study Session: Observing Children's Eagerness Toward Representation and Literacy

Chapter 9  Study Session: Observing How Children Form Relationships and Negotiate Conflict

Chapter 10  Study Session: Observing Children with Their Families

Chapter 11  Using Your Observations

Chapter 12  Getting Organized to Make Childhood Valued

Chapter 13  Making Observations Visible

Sample Documentation Displays

Index

Deb Curtis has been teaching and caring for children since 1969, and she has been training teachers for over 20 years.  Now teaching in a community college, she has also been a Head Start Education Coordinator, and she has served as the Vice President for Professional Development for her state AEYC affiliate.  She recently returned to the classroom to be a part-time preschool teacher again.

Margie Carter writes a column in Child Care Information Exchange and has contributed to several books and videos.  She has worked as an elementary school teacher, a preschool teacher, and a child care center director.  She has an M.A. from Pacific Oaks College and serves on the adjunct faculty there.

Both Deb Curtis and Margie Carter travel extensively to conduct seminars on their work and have been active in professional organizations, including CDA, NAEYC accreditation, and the Culturally Relevant Anti-Bias Leadership in Education Project.  The Art of Awareness is their fifth book together.

 Discover a new way to be with children

The key to observing children, state authors Deb Curtis and Margie Carter in The Art of Awareness, is using observation as more than just a teaching technique.  Observing children closely provides a new way of thinking about learning and teaching, a way of making children visible as they are, not just as we want them to be.

Observant teachers will find more than techniques for wtching or taking notes about children--they will discover a different way of being with children.

Featuring nine Observation Study Sessions, The Art of Awareness offers ideas, activities, and experiences--much more than just a set of checklists and facts to learn.  Chapters cover seven different aspects of children's lives and how to observe them, as well as tips for gathering and preparing documentation.

Observation requires a committment to systematic study and ongoing practice, write Curtis and Carter.  The Art of Awareness is an inspiring and practical look at how to see the children in your care--and how to see what they see.

View a Sample Chapter PDF:

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This title is a member of the Redleaf Press , which also contains the titles below . You can also visit the Redleaf Press page.

    Core or supplemental text for Observation or Assessment in Early Childhood Education courses in Early Childhood Education department or in Child and Family Studies department.

     

    This very practical book is organized in chapters by what children do--explore and invent, use their senses, seek drama and adventure, connect with nature, espress themselves through literacy activities--and how to observe these behaviors. Other chapters include how to record, document, and display observations.  A very practical book written by well-known authors in the field.

  • 0131727958Art of Awareness, The: How Observation Can Transform Your Teaching
    Curtis, Carter & Redleaf Press
    © 2006 | Merrill | Paper; 192 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0131727958 | ISBN-13: 9780131727953
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

    • A supplemental text for an Administration (Preschools and Child Care Programs) course, an Introduction to ECE course, or a Practicum/Student Teaching course in Early Childhood Education departments or in Child and Family Studies departments. Covers the nature of leadership, how to be a leader in the various settings in early  care and education, how to work in early childhood teams (staff, faculty, other professionals) and with families, and how advocacy is a form of leadership. Includes cases and reflection questions.  Emphasizes that regardless of position, ALL early childhood professionals can be leaders in their field.
  • 0131727907Learning to Lead: Effective Leadership Skills for Teachers of Young Children (Redleaf Press Series)
    Sullivan
    © 2006 | Merrill | Paper; 144 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0131727907 | ISBN-13: 9780131727908
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

    • Core text for Curriculum in Early Childhood Education in College of Education, department of Early Childhood Education or in Child and Family Studies department.

    Discusses how to recognize children's interests through observation, and create themes and curriculum that are developmentally appropriate and based on those interests.  Also contains checklists, practical suggestions, and stories from practitioners.  Written by well-known early childhood educators who emphasize a child-centered curriculum and who eschew a "cookie-cutter" teacher-directed curriculum.   

  • 0131727915Reflecting Children's Lives: A Handbook for Planning Child-Centered Curriculum (Redleaf Press Series)
    Curtis, Carter & Redleaf Press
    © 2006 | Merrill | Paper; 240 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0131727915 | ISBN-13: 9780131727915
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

    • Core text for Multiculuralism in Early Childhood courses (also sometimes called Cultural Diversity or simply Diversity in ECE) in Early Childhood Education department or in Child and Family Studies department. Provides a practical introduction to multicultural and anti-bias issues in working with children and families in early childhood settings. Focuses on discussions on prejudice, racism, bilingual education, and multicultural education.  Includes suggestions for making the classroom more culturally relevant and over 100 activities. Very popular book in community colleges on understanding cultural diversity in young children and their families.
  • 0131727931Roots and Wings: Affirming Culture in Early Childhood Programs (Redleaf Press Series)
    York
    © 2006 | Merrill | Paper; 288 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0131727931 | ISBN-13: 9780131727939
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

    • A supplemental text for an Issues in Early Childhood Education or Introduction to Early Childhood Education course in Early Childhood Education departments or in Child and Family Studies departments. Covers five leading theorists whose perspectives are studied and applied widely in early childhood education.  The book distills each theorist's work and explains how it relates to early care and education.  Brief, inexpensive; a perfect complement to foundational courses.
  • 013172794XTheories of Childhood: An Introduction to Dewey, Montessori, Erikson, Piaget & Vygotsky (Redleaf Press Series)
    Mooney
    © 2006 | Merrill | Paper; 120 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 013172794X | ISBN-13: 9780131727946
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students, browse our available packages below, or contact your Pearson Higher Education representative to create your own package.



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