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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend March 10, 2007 Classroom is their learning lab Early childhood education program through RCC links young students and student-teachers By Paris Achen Mail Tribune Sitting in a circle on the floor, the children at the new Redwood Early Childhood Center in Grants Pass exuberantly pat their thighs to produce the sound of running through a forest. "It's time to go on a bear hunt," a teacher says. "Are you afraid?" "I'm not afraid," shout the children, starting to giggle. Among the tiny 4- and 5-year-olds is a man who looks like a giant in comparison: Jarrod Goode, a student majoring in elementary education at Rogue Community College's Redwood campus, 3345 Redwood Highway. He is holding his 4-year-old daughter, Natalee, on his lap and chanting along. Doubling as a Head Start preschool and teaching lab for college students studying early childhood education, the center allows preschoolers and adults at RCC to learn in tandem. Advertisement "Parents have the opportunity to be closer to school, and parents who haven't attended college can learn about how to enroll and take the initial steps to go to school," says Nancy Nordyke, director of Southern Oregon Head Start. Between classes, Goode stops in at the center to visit Natalee and sometimes joins in on activities, building on a Head Start tradition of parental involvement in children's education. It's good to have him around, Natalee says with glee. Her dad says he likes being able to see how she is spending her day. In the other corner of the classroom, RCC student Brenda Carroll works with a group of Head Start pupils as part of her practicum for an associate's degree in early childhood education. A Head Start administrator can hide in an adjacent observation room disguised by a warped mirror to critique Carroll's techniques and later give her feedback. "It was a good way to find out what age group I want to work with," says Carroll, who is now considering pursuing a degree that will allow her to teach children in grades kindergarten through sixth. Parents also use the observation room to see their children. Head Start, a federally and state-funded preschool program offered free to low-income families, was previously housed in a cramped church near the campus. Through $1.2 million funding from various foundations and a federal community development block grant distributed by the city of Grants Pass, Southern Oregon Head Start, RCC and Josephine County Early Childhood Services joined forces to build the 7,000-square-foot center. It debuted Jan. 9 with two spacious classrooms, an observation room, kitchen, lounge, Head Start and college offices and a naturescape-style playground. The playground is still under construction by the Home Builders Association of Josephine County, which is donating labor and materials. About 75 pupils now attend the Head Start program there, an increase of about four students from the previous location, Nordyke says. The college launched the region's first early childhood education program in fall 2000 after Congress mandated that half of the nation's Head Start teachers have at least an associate's degree by 2003. Congress is expected to ratchet up that requirement this session. About 160 students are now enrolled in the college program. "I had heard Head Start is a really excellent program and really prepares kids for kindergarten," says Cassandra Macdonald, whose 5-year-old daughter is enrolled at the center. "It has already prepared Zoe. She can read two and three-letter words. It's wonderful." Reach reporter Paris Achen by calling 541-776-4459 or [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary