Topic Reports (40 pts)

Purpose: 1) To research and share pertinent, usable information about a topic of interest to students in the Health and Safety course.

2) To utilize and apply critical thinking and college level writing skills.

1. Use a minimum of five current, up-to-date resources: The print sources should be journals and/or periodicals of a professional caliber appropriate for college level work. Resources may also include agency visits, first person interviews; speakers; media sources such as television documentaries, CD ROMs, and the internet (a maximum of three internet sources can be used).

2. Your report should start with a title page that includes all required bibliographic information about the 5 sources used in your report. Following are the specifics required for each type of resource:

Bibliographic Information (print material):

Author

Title of journal or periodical

Title of article

Publisher

Date of publication

Volume and number if available

Pages

Media/Speaker Information:

Writer/presenter

Title of program

Title of series (if appropriate)

Producer/Sponsor

Date of production and date of viewing

Length of program

Interview:

Name of person interviewed

Title/position

Qualifications (both education and experience)

Professional affiliations

Date of interview

Website Information:

Internet address

Agency/person/organization sponsoring the site

Author/writer of material

Author’s credentials/professional training

Title of material

Most recent date/update of cited material

3. Your research and reactions will be organized into a 3-5 page paper to be turned into the instructor on 4/14/04. The write-up will be graded on the mechanics of writing (neatness, organization, spelling, etc.) as well as content (depth, clarity, accuracy, and demonstration of critical thinking skills).

IMPORTANT NOTES:

You must give credit to the source of the information as you include it in your written report. You may do this by including the author and page of the source in parentheses immediately following the information. Sources must be cited for both direct quotes and paraphrased information. Do not take credit for something you did not write. Do not include material taken directly from the internet. A “cut and paste” report does not reflect college level writing. You must synthesize and summarize your findings, not copy or repeat what someone else wrote. If you don’t understand what this means, be sure to come talk with me personally. Your grade on this report will be affected if you plagiarize; in some cases, your work may be returned ungraded.

Written report:

Section 1: List the three main points of your report.

Section 2: Provide a 1-2 page summary of the main findings about your special topic. Remember to include the citations about quotes and paraphrased material.

Section 3: Describe why this topic is important to study in the Health, Nutrition, and Safety for Young Children course.

Section 4: How could you effectively educate the parents in a preschool about the information in your report?

Section 5: In 1-2 paragraphs, describe how you did your research for this report.

Section 6: In 1-2 paragraphs share a little of your personal reaction to your research and what you learned.

4. A 5-7 minute verbal description of your most interesting findings will be shared with the class. Tell us about what you learned. You may refer to notes, but please do not read your report. I suggest making a chart, poster, or some other kind of visual aid to share along with your report. It makes it easier to share the information.

Your one page summary will be distributed to the class for their resource files.

Some ideas about topics (these are just suggestions):

car safety infectious disease prevention

burn/fire awareness playground dangers

personal hygiene childhood illnesses

dental care ear infections

mental health issues toxic materials

preschool safety picky eaters

healthy snacks diet and behavior

safe toys orthopedic injuries

skin disorders recreation activities

check-ups lice

nutrition exercise

Purpose and overview of assignment: Each student in the class will research

an area of special needs of particular interest to him/her. This is your

opportunity to spend time finding out about a topic of your choice - something

you've been wanting to learn more about or investigate. It is also a wonderful way

to share something you learned with your fellow students, to be an advocate in

the area of your special need topic.

The Written Report:

Your research and reactions will be organized into a 3-5 page paper to be

turned into the instructor on 5/10/04. The write-up will be graded on the

mechanics of writing (neatness, organization, spelling, etc.) as well as content

(depth, clarity, accuracy, and demonstration of critical thinking skills).

IMPORTANT NOTES:

You must give credit to the source of the information as you include it in

your written report. You may do this by including the author and page of the

source in parentheses immediately following the information. Sources must be

cited for both direct quotes and paraphrased information. Do not take credit for

something you did not write. Do not include material taken directly from the

internet. A “cut and paste” report does not reflect college level writing. You

must synthesize and summarize your findings, not copy or repeat what someone

else wrote. If you don’t understand what this means, be sure to come talk with

me personally. Your grade on this report will be affected if you plagiarize;

in some cases, your work may be returned ungraded.

Your written report will be 3-5 pages and will be organized in the following

format:

1. What topic (example: "animals and children with special needs") or special

need (example: "cerebral palsy") did you investigate? If you choose a topic

not associated with a specific special need, you will need to adapt and modify

some of the following required areas of the report.

2. Briefly summarize the special need or topic. Include information about

cause and most common characteristics. (only one-half to one page in length)

3. What might a preschool teacher notice in the classroom that might alert

him/her that a child might have this special need? (the "red flags")

4. What can be done in a preschool setting to successfully include a child

with this special need? (modifications and accommodations).

5. What are two community services, agencies, supports, therapies, or

interventions are available in San Diego county? (Where can you and/or a child's

parents turn for help?) You may include both educational and community resources.

6. What are some of the common misconceptions and/or public concerns

regarding this special need? (for example, some people still believe that autism is

caused by inattentive parents).

7. What are two ways to educate the public and/or be an advocate for this

special need? (one example: volunteer to serve at an information desk at the

local agency)

8. Your personal reaction to what you learned through your research. Include

insights and comments about the process of your research as well as the actual

content of the report.

9. A bibliography of the resources used in writing your report. Provide the

following for each resource:

Bibliographic Information (print material):

Author

Title of journal or periodical

Title of article

Publisher

Date of publication

Volume and number if available

Pages

Media/Speaker Information:

Writer/presenter

Title of program

Title of series (if appropriate)

Producer/Sponsor

Date of production and date of viewing

Length of program

Interview:

Name of person interviewed

Title/position

Qualifications (both education and experience)

Professional affiliations

Date of interview

Website Information:

Internet address

Agency/person/organization sponsoring the site

Author/writer of material

Author’s credentials/professional training

Title of material

Most recent date/update of cited material

Agency:

Name:

Location and address:

Phone number:

Key contact person:

Primary recipients (who uses the services):

Class Sharing: Please do not read your report to the class

You may use a few notes to guide you, but the oral report should be you just

talking to the class. Tell them the key points you think they should know

about your special topic.

Also, part of your sharing is to demonstrate the two activities you have

chosen as effective for young children with the special need discussed in your

report. These should be activities that could be easily modified and implemented

in a preschool setting.

Your presentation will include:

1. A 5-7 minute opportunity to educate the rest of the class about your

chosen topic/special need.

2. A visual aid: this can be a poster from an agency, a chart you’ve made, a

display that you’ve put together, etc. (This is only an aid - what you share

orally and through the activities are the most important parts).

3. Brochures or other printed materials collected from your two community

resources/agencies. If the agencies could not provide materials, please list

name, address, and phone number of each agency.

4. Two activities with modifications to be demonstrated or shared with the

class. Bring in all necessary materials to actually do the activity. This is not

just a verbal description on what you would do - it's hands-on.

5. A one page typewritten summary, including description of activities and

the community resources. You will provide copies of the summary to distribute

to classmates.