300
This course presents best practices based on current research for classroom and behavior management including, but not limited to, classroom procedures and expectations, organization of materials, and classroom space for optimum learner benefit. Instructional and behavioral management strategies for individual and large group classrooms for diverse populations will be explored. Using classroom observation, students will report, reflect, and evaluate management techniques and begin to consider their own management styles.
A course designed to help the preservice teacher develop a defensible rationale for making curricular and instructional decisions concerning the substance of instruction, techniques of instruction, and evaluation practices as unique to the teaching of elementary social studies and science. This course combines lecture and laboratory in which students will study science and social studies curricula, the planning and design of hands-on activities and materials, and teaching both content and process.
Methods of Physical Education in Elementary School. This course provides the knowledge, theory, and some practical applications of physical education within the Elementary school setting. Students will learn about the various components of an elementary physical education program and will learn how to develop a year-long elementary physical education curriculum. Students will learn games and activities appropriate to the developmental level of elementary children, health promotion concepts, teaching methodology, evaluation techniques, and the importance of physical education as an integral part of general education.
Advanced Writing. Content Area Reading & Secondary Teaching Methods. This course considers classroom planning, lesson presentation skills, and instructional equipment and materials. Students study the development of listening, speaking, vocabulary, reading, and writing, and learn assessment techniques as well as strategies to improve study skills, writing, and reading, while teaching content areas. Students analyze text and electronic reading materials used in content areas. A 45-hour exploratory experience in a public school classroom is required. Prior field experiences will be analyzed to determine grade level placement for this field experience.
This course is designed to equip preservice teachers with knowledge, skills, and appreciation for using the arts (visual, media, drama/theater, music, and dance) as an effective methodology for learning in an integrated curriculum. We explore how students learn (1) with the arts, (2) through the arts, and (3) about the arts. Students in this course will experience a variety of arts and arts-integrated lessons, as well as design and deliver their own standards-based arts-integrated lessons.
Advanced Writing. Teaching the Communication Arts I. Students focus on the development, curriculum, instruction, and assessment of writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and thinking. Methods, materials, techniques, and strategies for teaching all of the communication arts are presented and discussed.
This course addresses the following four topics: 1) formal and informal assessments of students’ reading interests and abilities; 2) proven reading strategies, methods and techniques (research-based); 3) diagnostic teaching strategies, and 4) methods of reporting students’ strengths and weaknesses. Students are required to complete a clinical experience in a K-12 school setting.
Teaching the Communication Arts II. Methods, materials, techniques, and strategies for teaching reading will be presented. The students will study word recognition, comprehension, and metacognition teaching strategies as well as emergent literacy. One-third of this course is devoted to public school classroom work which will be arranged by the instructor and required for each student.
This course looks at the sociological, psychological, historical, and philosophical foundations of middle schools. In addition, middle school program, organization, planning, curriculum, and evaluation will be explored. Organizational characteristics such as interdisciplinary teaming, scheduling, advisory programs, and exploratory programs are explained and researched. Issues in curriculum and curriculum development/organization are introduced. Emphasis will be placed on developing an interdisciplinary unit of study at the middle school level. Students will be required to complete 15 hours of field experience.
A study of literature written for young adults. Students will read, listen to and evaluate a wide variety of literature published for or enjoyed by young adult readers, including traditional folk tales, myths, and legends; fantasy and realistic fiction; biography and autobiography; and poetry. Students will also study techniques for teaching and using literature in the 5-12 classroom.
Special Topics courses include ad-hoc courses on various selected topics that are not part of the regular curriculum, however they may still fulfill certain curricular requirements. Special topics courses are offered at the discretion of each department and will be published as part of the semester course schedule - view available sections for more information. Questions about special topics classes can be directed to the instructor or department chair.