ED235 BASIC MOVEMENT AND MOTOR FOR YOUNG CHILDREN Course Syllabus - Lorrie Russell

Term
Fall 2025
Section
M1
Course Delivery
ln person­[FTF]
Class Program

ED235:

Credits 2
Description
A study of movement concepts and principles; child development as it relates to motor skills; and assessment and evaluation for instruction within physical education. Students learn to understand and respect differences in physical abilities and learn to adapt physical education for young children by selecting developmentally and instructionally appropriate activities. The class emphasizes a variety of fundamental locomotive, manipulative, and stability movement skills. Students learn how to use physical/motor development to enhance play and infuse skills across the curriculum for younger children, and learn that control, movement, needs, and interests are different from those of older children. Includes field experience.

Prerequisites

ED230 recommended

Meeting Times, Location, & Course Delivery Details

Meeting Days:
M/W/F
Meeting Times:
9:10-10:10
Location:
CH109
Delivery Details

Face to Face

Contact Information

Instructor:
Lorrie Russell
Instructor Email:
lorrie.russell@wilmington.edu
Office Location:
300C
Phone Number
9374812389
Office Hours:
MWF 10:30-2:00 and other times by appointment
Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course...
1. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the nature and meaning of the movement concepts and
principles, including child development as it relates to motor skills. (PLO1)
2. The student will plan developmentally effective movement and motor skills curriculum and
instructional activities based on multiple means of assessment and knowledge of individual children, the
community, and curriculum goals and content that honor children's prior experiences at home and at
school. (PLO1)
3. The student will explain the rationale for developmentally effective methods that include movement
during play, small group projects, open-ended questioning, group discussion, problem solving, cooperative
learning, and inquiry experiences to help young children develop intellectual curiosity, solve problems, and
make decisions. (PLO2)
4. The student will demonstrate current knowledge of and ability to develop and implement meaningful,
integrated learning experiences, use the central concepts and tools of inquiry related to movement and
motor skills of young children. (PLO5)
5. The student will apply knowledge of fundamental motor skill development to provide all young
children with a variety of developmentally effective learning opportunities that promote and support
acquisition and development of motor skills. (PLO5)

Course Materials

Textbook
Name:  Learning Through Movement in the K-6 classroom
Edition:  1st
ISBN:
Author:  Kelly Mancini Becker
Publisher:   Routledge

Click on the link below to connect to our online campus bookstore and see purchase options for this course's required text book.

https://wilmington.ecampus.com/course-list?sbc=1&c=6602757

Instructor's Course Objectives

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate proficiency in basic movement patterns and coordination
  • Apply movement strategies to support learning in K–6 settings
  • Analyze the role of movement in cognitive, social, and emotional development
  • Design and implement movement-based activities aligned with educational standards
  • Reflect critically on personal movement experiences and pedagogical applications
Course Schedule

Tentative Schedule

 
 
WeekDatesTopics & ActivitiesReadings (Becker)Assignments Due
1Oct 14–18Intro to Movement & Course OverviewCh. 1: Let’s Get This Moving!Journal Entry #1
2Oct 21–25Locomotor Skills & Movement GamesCh. 2: Getting Ready to MoveReading Reflection #1
3Oct 28–Nov 1Non-Locomotor Skills & Spatial AwarenessCh. 3: Setting the Stage for SuccessJournal Entry #2
4Nov 4–8Movement & Literacy IntegrationCh. 4: Leaping for LiteracyReading Reflection #2
5Nov 11–15Movement in History & Assessment PrepCh. 5: Moving Through HistorySkills Assessment, Journal #3
6Nov 18–22Math & Science in MotionCh. 6 & 7: Moving Math, Science in MotionReading Reflection #3, Journal #4
7Nov 25Authentic Assessment & Group WorkCh. 8: Moving Toward Authentic AssessmentJournal Entry #5
Nov 27–29Thanksgiving Break – No Class
8Dec 2–6Group Presentations & Final ReflectionsReview All ChaptersLesson Plan Project, Journal #6
9Dec 9Final Paper & Course Wrap-UpFinal Reflection Paper
 
 

Subject to change during the semester. Adequate notice of changes will be given.

Course Assignments
AssignmentPointsPercentageDue Date
Participation & Effort10020%Ongoing
Movement Journal (6 entries)9018%Weekly Fridays
Reading Reflections (3 total)6012%Oct 25, Nov 8, Nov 22
Lesson Plan Design (Group Project)10020%Dec 2
Final Reflection Paper10020%Dec 9
Skills Assessment5010%Nov 15
Course Final Exam
Friday, Dec. 5th 8:00-10:00 am
Evaluation of Work

The grading scale will be as follows:

📝 Course Assignments & Grading

AssignmentPointsPercentageDue Date
Participation & Effort10020%Ongoing
Movement Journal (6 entries)9018%Weekly Fridays
Reading Reflections (3 total)6012%Oct 25, Nov 8, Nov 22
Lesson Plan Design (Group Project)10020%Dec 2
Final Reflection Paper10020%Dec 9
Skills Assessment5010%Nov 15
 

Total: 500 points

Grading Scale (with +/-):

  • A = 93–100%
  • A– = 90–92%
  • B+ = 87–89%
  • B = 83–86%
  • B– = 80–82%
  • C+ = 77–79%
  • C = 73–76%
  • C– = 70–72%
  • D = 60–69%
  • F = Below 60%

Instructor Course Policies

Instructor's Course Attendance Policy

Attendance is expected and required, it will be taken at every class.  Students may miss one class session over the course of the semester.  Any more absences (regardless of excused or not) may result in the lowering of a student's final grade up to one full letter grade, in addition to a lower attendance and participatin score.

Instructor's Academic Integrity Policy

You are not permitted to use generative AI tools for any work in this course.  This includes use of popular tools like ChatGPT, as well as all other tools built on generative AI technologies.

Assignment Rubrics

🧍 Participation & Effort (100 points – 20%)

CriteriaExcellent (25)Good (20)Fair (15)Poor (10)
Attendance & PunctualityAlways present and on timeMostly present, rare tardinessOccasional absences/tardinessFrequent absences/tardiness
Engagement in ActivitiesFully engaged, enthusiasticParticipates consistentlyMinimal effort or engagementRarely participates
Respect & CollaborationHighly respectful, supports peersGenerally respectfulOccasionally disruptiveDisrespectful or uncooperative
PreparednessAlways dressed appropriately and readyUsually preparedSometimes unpreparedFrequently unprepared
 
 

📓 Movement Journal (90 points – 18%)

6 entries, 15 points each

CriteriaExcellent (15)Good (12)Fair (9)Poor (6)
Reflection DepthInsightful, connects theory to practiceThoughtful, some connectionsBasic observationsMinimal effort or vague content
Clarity & OrganizationWell-written, clear structureMostly clearSome disorganizationHard to follow
Personal EngagementShows personal growth and curiositySome personal insightLimited self-awarenessNo personal reflection
 
 

📖 Reading Reflections (60 points – 12%)

3 reflections, 20 points each

CriteriaExcellent (20)Good (16)Fair (12)Poor (8)
Understanding of TextDemonstrates deep comprehensionUnderstands key ideasBasic summaryMisinterprets or lacks understanding
Application to MovementStrong connections to course contentSome relevant connectionsFew or vague connectionsNo clear application
Writing QualityClear, concise, well-editedMinor errorsSeveral errorsPoor grammar or structure
 
 

🧠 Skills Assessment (50 points – 10%)

CriteriaExcellent (50)Good (40)Fair (30)Poor (20)
Execution of SkillsAccurate, fluid, confidentMostly accurate, minor errorsInconsistent executionMajor errors or lack of effort
Body AwarenessDemonstrates control and alignmentGenerally awareLimited controlPoor awareness
ResponsivenessAdapts well to cues and feedbackSome responsivenessMinimal adjustmentUnresponsive to instruction
 
 

🧑‍🏫 Lesson Plan Design (Group Project – 100 points – 20%)

CriteriaExcellent (25)Good (20)Fair (15)Poor (10)
Creativity & EngagementHighly original, engaging for K–6 learnersCreative, mostly engagingBasic activitiesUninspired or inappropriate for age group
Integration of MovementMovement is central and purposefulMovement is present but secondaryLimited movement integrationMovement is unclear or missing
Educational AlignmentAligns with standards and learning goalsMostly alignedSome alignmentNo clear educational purpose
Collaboration & PresentationSeamless teamwork, clear deliveryGood teamwork, mostly clearUneven collaborationDisorganized or unclear presentation
 
 

📝 Final Reflection Paper (100 points – 20%)

CriteriaExcellent (25)Good (20)Fair (15)Poor (10)
Depth of ReflectionDeep insight into personal growth and learningThoughtful reflectionBasic summarySuperficial or vague
Connection to CourseStrong integration of course conceptsSome connectionsFew connectionsNo clear relevance
Writing QualityWell-organized, polished writingMinor errorsSeveral errorsPoor grammar or structure
Critical ThinkingDemonstrates analysis and synthesisSome critical thoughtLimited analysisNo critical thinking evident

Institutional and Program-Level Policies

Final Exam Schedule

All exams will follow the Final Exam Schedule. Students scheduled to take three or more final examinations on one day may request to arrange their examination schedule, so no more than two exams occur on one day.
Requests for early or late exams are considered only under extreme circumstances. Prior to the exam period, the student must file a written request on the Early/Late Exam Form available in the Student One Stop Center, Academic Records, and on the WC portal. The form must be signed by the Instructor and the Academic Dean, approving the alternate exam time. This process must be completed prior to the scheduled exam period.

Undergraduate:  SP25 Final Exam Schedule    Graduate:  

 

Out-of-class Work Expectation

A minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work is expected for each hour of in-class time for traditional face-to-face courses. For online and hybrid courses, the combination of face-to-face time and out-of-class work should be equal to 3 hours per credit hour per week.

Instructional Course Delivery                                                                                                            

Definition of Courses

Academic Integrity Policy

The use of generative AI is prohibited except where expressly allowed in assignment instructions.

Academic Integrity Policy

Class Attendance Policy                              

Institutional Class Attendance Policy

Accessibility and Disability Services