Elementary Education (ELED)

This course is designed to allow elementary education teacher candidates to explore issues in education that particularly interest them. Special topics will be designed by faculty that reflect current issues and problems in education. Students will choose the topic that meets their needs.

This course examines theories related to the development of creativity and their application to classroom instruction. In addition students will study and practice ways to integrate a wide variety of expressive arts (music, poetry, painting, drama, dance, etc.) into the elementary education curriculum.

The second of two courses that provides students with knowledge, skills, and understanding to design and implement effective, developmentally appropriate mathematics instruction for grades PreK-6. Emphasis is on children's mathematical learning about geometry, measurement, data analysis and probability.

Elementary education teacher candidates will learn processes of planning, implementing curriculum, and using instructional strategies and assessments that promote and monitor students' understanding of content beyond memorization. Students will design units of instruction utilizing active engagement strategies for an inclusive environment of diverse students. Students will gain knowledge and skills necessary to use assessments to inform instructional decision-making.

This field experience encourages candidates' construction of knowledge through the design and implementation of formal inquiry regarding practices in elementary education. The implementation and refinement of teaching practices essential for creative, child-centered, content-rich and culturally sensitive teaching will be examined throughout the practicum and accompanying seminar.

This seminar will allow graduate students to discuss the efforts of their inquiry projects. They will problem solve issues that arise in the implementation of their projects as well as analyze data and draw appropriate conclusions from their findings. From those conclusions, they will generate implications for and connections to their teaching.

Focus on inquiry as the basis for learning, philosophical foundations of qualitative and naturalistic methodology and instruction in the use of qualitative methods in the study of education and to inform practice.

Focus on the application of education inquiry and its application to teaching.

Study of the role of the teacher in relating to and working with families, school personnel, and communities. Methods of involving stakeholders and providing effective communication among groups are emphasized. Resources for supporting parents and engaging community stakeholders are examined.

This internship provides a context in which to demonstrate and integrate the skills, knowledge and dispositions that are essential for success as an elementary classroom teacher. Under the guidance of a university supervisor students are expected to reflect on the teaching role as they assume the full responsibilities of teacher in grade PreK-6.