Commentary Paper

Commentary Paper Draft & Final Paper

6+ pages, type written, double-spaced,12 pt font, 1” margins, APA format for citations

In this paper you will have the opportunity to analyze all of that information you have gathered about the baby and family you studied to give a coherent and thoughtful picture of the infant in the context of their  family. You will describe the child and family in detail, then analyze your description based on what you have learned in class and assigned course readings. You will compare what you have learned about the baby and family to what you have read learned in the class.  Over the course of this semester, you have gathered information about the child and family in the following ways:

1. By interviewing/ talking to family members.
2. By observing the baby and family.
3. Interacting with the baby

Stage I: Commentary Paper Draft

• Reread your Interview with the Family of an Infant Paper and Observation of an Infant Paper. Decide what you want to include from each paper.
• Look over your course readings and materials. Mark pages in assigned course readings, other readings you have done on your own, and other materials from class. Note where in your paper you will want to include those ideas or quotations.
• Review your class notes. Decide how they support or are in contrast to what you have said in your papers so far.
• Cite your readings whenever you refer to one. See the APA Guideline starting on page 15.

When developing your draft, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is it complete? Have you written and analyzed about:

• The child’s appearance
• The child’s prenatal history, birth, and early days
• Developmental domains
• Play & learning
• The family & cultural practices

2. Does the paper refer to six assigned course readings, and class materials?
3. Are observations and interpretations non-judgmental (objective) and respectful of the baby and family?
4. Does the organization of the paper make sense?
5. Is it written in a way that enables the reader to picture the infant and family?

Note:  You are expected to revise your draft based on the comments & feedback you receive to create the final version.

Stage II: Commentary Paper Final

This paper is in place of a final exam.

Assessment Rubric (1 point – must meet Learner in all tasks):

ELEMENT	NOVICE (.5 points)	LEARNER (1 point)	COMPETENT (1.667 points)
USE OF FEEDBACK	Several revisions were made based on feedback & comments.	The paper was thoughtfully revised based on feedback & comments received.
BABY’S APPEARANCE	The paper included a description of the baby’s appearance	The paper included a rich, detailed vivid description of the baby’s appearance	The paper included a rich, detailed vivid description of the baby’s appearance so the reader could picture the baby
BABY’S PRENATAL HISTORY, BIRTH & EARLY DAYS	The paper included info about the prenatal history, birth, & early days.	The paper included detailed info about the prenatal history, birth, & early days with thoughtful analysis of how it impacted the baby, family & teachers.	The paper included detailed info about the prenatal history, birth, & early days with thoughtful analysis & well-developed examples of how it impacted the baby, family & teachers.
DEVELOPMENTAL DOMAINS	The paper included info about how the child used each developmental domain	The paper included detailed info about how the child used each developmental domain with thoughtful analysis of how the baby demonstrated each domain, skills/ processes, & milestones & what teachers can do	The paper included detailed info about how the child used each developmental domain with thoughtful analysis of how the baby demonstrated each domain, skills/ processes, & milestones & what teachers can do with well-developed examples
CAREGIVING ROUTINES	The paper included info about the family’s caregiving routines	The paper included detailed info about the family’s caregiving routines with thoughtful analysis of how it impacted the baby & their future teachers.	The paper included detailed info about the family’s caregiving routines with thoughtful analysis of how it impacted the baby & their future teachers with well-developed examples.
PLAY & LEARNING	The paper included info about play & learning	The paper included detailed info about play & learning with thoughtful analysis of how it impacts the baby’s future teachers.	The paper included detailed info about play & learning with thoughtful analysis of how it impacts the baby’s future teachers with well-developed examples
FAMILY & CULTURAL PRACTICES	The paper included info about the family & cultural practices	The paper included info about the family’s & their cultural practices with thoughtful analysis of how it impacts the baby & their future teachers	The paper included info about the family’s & their cultural practices with thoughtful analysis of how it impacts the baby & their future teachers with well-developed examples
USE OF RESOURCES	The paper cited 6 or fewer materials from class	The paper clearly, & meaningfully connected & integrated 6 or more assigned course readings into what was written about the child/ family	The paper clearly, & meaningfully connected & integrated 6+ course readings/ materials into what was written about the child/ family; the materials were used to support ideas presented.
CLARITY	The paper was vague, disjointed, had few details, &/or not easy to understand at times	The paper was coherent, clear, organized, & had rich, vivid supporting details.	The paper was coherent, clear, organized, had many rich, vivid supporting details, & had been edited

 

Your Commentary Paper must meet the criteria of a “Learner” in ALL FOUR criteria areas in order to be uploaded into your e-Portfolio:

 

SCORING RUBRIC (15 points)

TASK	NOVICE	LEARNER	COMPETENT
LEARNING ABOUT THE CHILD	There is no evidence of visits with the child.	The paper has few details, in not specific, & does not did not demonstrate significant learning about the child.	The paper included rich, vivid detailed info that demonstrated research & thoughtful reflection about the child over time.
LEARNING ABOUT THE FAMILY	There is no evidence of visits with the family.	The paper has few details, in not specific, & does not did not demonstrate significant learning about the family.	The paper included rich, vivid detailed info that demonstrated research & thoughtful reflection about the family over time.
UNDERSTANDING OF THE INFANT IN CONTEXT OF THEIR CULTURE	The paper expressed judgements as fact & ignored the family’s culture	The paper partially described & interpreted the family’s culture.	The paper analyzed the family’s culture with rich vivid details & the interpretations show understanding & appreciation of the family’s culture.
OBSERVING TO LEARN ABOUT DEVELOPMENT	The paper does not demonstrate an understanding of child development as illustrated by descriptions & analysis of the child.	The paper demonstrated little understanding of child development as illustrated by descriptions & analysis of the child.	The paper demonstrated in-depth understanding of child development as illustrated by rich, detailed descriptions & analysis of the child.
APPLICATION OF MATERIAL FROM CLASS	The paper showed no evidence that the material from class was applied & used in the paper (role of play, infant curriculum, etc.).	The paper showed little evidence of the curriculum from class was applied &/ or used in the paper to the child (role of play, infant curriculum, etc.)	The paper fully integrated, used & applied material from class in the paper (role of play, infant curriculum, etc.).