"LITTLE STAR SAFARI" for the children of OCU faculty & staff
The Early Childhood and Elementary Education majors at OCU are excited to announce an upcoming occasion open to children of our faculty and staff, “Little Star Safari.” The “Safari” will be held on Tuesday, April 15, from 3:30 to 5:30 in the Great Hall of the student center and will serve as our OCU Education Department’s celebration of “The Week of the Young Child” (April 14-19). This is an annual recognition sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and represents an effort to not only celebrate the joy of young children, but to focus attention on early childhood issues facing parents and educators today.
The Little Star Safari is a project involving students in our “Home, School, and Community Relations,” “Creative Activities for Young Children,” and “Children’s Literature” classes. Our students have planned developmentally-appropriate centers in the areas of creative art, music and movement, cooking, language, fine motor skills, math, science, and sensory play, each of which will be integrated into our “animal” theme.
This experience is primarily designed for younger children, so it will be open to those who are from 3 to 7 years of age. At this point, we would like to limit participation to no more than 25 children, so we will accept children based on a “first-come-first-serve” basis. To guarantee that your child has a spot for the Safari, email Sharon Pyeatt ( spyeatt@okcu.edu) and include: Your child’s full name Your child’s age and birth date Your name and position at OCU Your contact information, including phone; · Description of the type(s) of child care/preschool experiences your child has had
We would like to have this information by Wednesday, April 9. This will help us as we fine tune our planning and prepare the environment for two hour’s worth of exploration and play for your kids, while allowing our early childhood and elementary education students to practice many of the skills and competencies they are learning about in our program.
When we receive the information requested above, we will send confirmation to you, along with a general permission slip for you to sign and return. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact Professor Pyeatt, spyeatt@okcu.edu. We look forward to sharing this time with your child!
2008 OCU KES Golf Scramble
The Oklahoma City University Kinesiology and Exercise Science Majors Club will be hosting the 1st Annual Golf Scramble at Lincoln Park Golf Course on April 18, 2008. Tee-Times will begin at 11:00 A.M. Funds will be used to raise money for the OCU KES Club in order for its members to attend national conferences and have the opportunity to take certification exams upon graduation free of charge. Lots of Food and Fun will be provided!!
Time: 11:00 Tee times with Registration at 10 a.m. Entry Fee Non-Student: $75 Per person Entry Fee OCU Student: $41 Per person Includes: Green Fees, Cart, Range balls, Goodie bag, Dinner (burger, fries, and drink), & Door Prizes Deadline to Enter: Friday April, 11th, 2008 Questions: Stefanie A. Latham, Professor of KES at OCU slatham@okcu.edu
Thank you for supporting the Oklahoma City University Kinesiology and Exercise Science Majors Club!!!! We hope you can join us!!!!!!
Farha Edits Book, Confounds and Refutes Charlatans
Oklahoma City University Professor Bryan Farha has edited a book entitled “Paranormal Claims: A Critical Analysis.”
It is a compilation of serious, scientifically and logically grounded articles whose arguments confound and refute the exaggerated claims of cryptozoologists, ufologists, astrologers, psychics, medical charlatans, numerologists and others who falsely claim the mantle of science, religion and/or mysticism in order to intentionally dupe others for their own personal gain. It has been endorsed by some of the most prominent people in science, education and critical thinking.
“The purpose of this book is to educate people as to the dangers of pseudoscientific beliefs and to emphasize the importance of critical thinking to counter the dumbing-down of the public. It's appropriate that the book comes out on the 10th anniversary of the death of Carl Sagan--probably the best known skeptical thinker regarding extraordinary claims,” Farha said.
“Paranormal Claims: A Critical Analysis” (University Press of America, 2007, ISBN 0761837728) is available at amazon.com.
Education Professor Appointed to State Board
Early Childhood Education Professor Sharon Pyeatt has been appointed by Gov. Brad Henry to serve on the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board. Pyeatt will replace First Lady Kim Henry on the board for a four-year term. “I’m really honored and excited to join this group of dedicated individuals who have already made a difference in the lives of young children in Oklahoma through Smart Start and Success by Six initiatives,” Pyeatt said. “Hopefully, my public school experiences in early childhood will be an asset to the group and the knowledge I gain from them will help me here in working with our teacher candidates, especially as we look at new trends and issues in early childhood.”
Farha on Dr. Death
In an August Sunday edition of the Daily Oklahoman, Dr. Brian Farha, Professor of Education, was quoted in a story on euthanasia, called "Dr. Death Makes a Call." In early October he gave an interview on KOCU-TV on pseudoscience, and he will also be a Guest Speaker: OCCC Faculty Development, Critical Thinking Tools (10-10-07).
