Studies in Education

Addresses the knowledge and skills that are essential for creating and implementing curricula appropriate for young children. The course places emphasis on high-quality, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate learning environments (emotional, social intellectual, and physical), play and creative expression, schedules, and activities by integrating play with drama, art and music for students Pre-K through 3rd grade. Defined are the stages of development in children's creative abilities. Course includes a 12 hour field experience in a licensed child development center (infants - four year olds) and twelve hours of field experience in grades K-3 (3 hours per grade level).

This course covers the objectives, principles, trends, materials, and current practices for teaching social studies and fostering social development in early childhood education. Students will learn how to develop appropriate strategies to improve the literacy skills of all children including children from other cultures. A focus will be placed on developing a respect for a variety of cultures including the similarities and differences in beliefs, knowledge bases, changes, values and traditions. The social studies component of this course will include the integration of social studies content and knowledge. Attention is called to the implementation of developmentally appropriate learning environments (emotional, social, intellectual, and physical). A 12- hour field experience is required in grades K-3 (3 hours per grade level in areas of social studies).

This course explores methods that cover the planning and implementation of mathematics. Emphasis is placed on the investigation of experiences and activities appropriate to young children in the areas of mathematics content and processes, technology, and literacy/math in children’s daily lives. This course also focuses on the implementation of developmentally appropriate learning environments (emotional, social, intellectual, and physical). A 12-hour field experience is required in grades PreK-3.

This course explores the nature, scope, and role of science experiences in the learning and development of young children with emphasis given to a constructivist, inquiry-oriented approach consistent with national standards. This course also focuses on methods that cover the planning and implementation of science appropriate for PreK-3 grades. Emphasis is placed on the investigation of experiences and activities appropriate to young children in the areas of science content and processes, technology, and literacy/science in children’s daily lives. This course also focuses on the implementation of developmentally appropriate learning environments (emotional, social, intellectual, and physical). A 12-hour field experience is required in grades PreK-3.

The course focuses on the teaching of reading and writing throughout the PreK-3 curriculum. Emphasis is placed on the objectives, developmental skills, materials, techniques, and the processes of assessing, diagnosing, and correcting reading and writing skills appropriate to Early Childhood. Instruction includes a holistic view of literacy development as well as methods of motivating young children to read and write in the content areas. A clinical field experience of 20 hours in both diagnosis and remediation in grades K-3 is required. At least 10 hours must be completed in an ESL classroom setting. Fee charged.

Provides an overview of the diverse educational needs, challenges, opportunities, and rewards that teachers encounter as they seek to effectively meet the needs of learners in urban schools. Students explore the history of public schools in urban areas, the characteristics of the urban child, as well as effective teaching strategies for working with students who are identified as "at risk" as well as English Second Language (ESL) students. This course addresses the competencies, tools. and instructional strategies to effectively create positive classroom environments and assist in student achievement. The course includes a 10-hour field experience for Education majors in a low socioeconomic, ethnically/racially diverse, preferably ESL school setting. Any non-Education major may complete the field experience requirement through volunteering in a number of alternative settings such as private agencies, and businesses whose primary focus is working in urban communities with children and their families identified as "at-risk." The alternative settings listed would be an acceptable environment to address the course learning outcomes. This course is an option for any student exploring choices in meeting the Intercultural Literacy requirement.

Designed to provide some insight into the nature of mathematics by examining various mathematical structures. Topics include the development of the real number system, conventional and unconventional algorithms including working in different bases, elementary number theory, algebraic reasoning, data analysis, probability, geometry, and measurement. Critical thinking, writing, and problem solving will be emphasized.

This course focuses on effective instructional methods and curriculum models for K-5 teachers. Best practices in creating diverse, enthusiastic learning environments and writing lesson plans are explored to meet the needs of ALL students, including but not limited to “at risk” and English Second Language (ESL) students. Using data to inform instruction is addressed as part of the planning component. Fee charged. A 20-hour field experience is required in diverse school settings, specifically with ESL students.

The course focuses on the integration of reading and writing instruction throughout the K-5 curriculum. Emphasis is placed on the objectives, developmental skills, materials, techniques, and the processes of assessing, diagnosing, and correcting reading and writing skills. Instruction includes a holistic view of literacy development. A clinical field experience of 20 hours in both diagnosis and remediation in an elementary school is required. At least 10 hours must be completed in an ESL classroom setting. Fee charged.

Provides an overview of the technology used to provide access to the curriculum for students in general-education settings and special-education settings. Various systems of technology will be discussed with a focus on the appropriate uses, implementation, and overall understanding of the tools available to students needing intervention services.

Focuses on individualized diagnostic testing and interpretation of psychological evaluations, universal screenings, and progress monitoring as related to instructional planning and eligibility. Basic steps in test administration are reviewed for various major published tests as well as curriculum based or classroom testing methods to document or determine current level of performance. Basic steps of the RTI process will also be discussed. Test administration and scoring is performed.

Defines the various aspects of core content instruction and environmental structure in elementary and middle school settings for exceptional learners with mild to moderate disabilities. Strategies to document and modify social, emotional, communication, behavioral and academic areas are addressed. A focus on differentiation, scaffolding, and determining appropriate accommodations based on student strengths will be addressed. A ten-hour field experience is required.

Explores effective methods for collaborating with families, colleagues and related service providers are defined and examined. Discusses the role an interventionist plays in assisting data teams and alignment of interventions to the specific needs of the student. Assistive technology, transition planning, various technology programs, medical plans and the resources needed to assess these areas are explored. A ten-hour field experience is required.

Explores classroom management strategies specific to students with mild to moderate disabilities. Special consideration for the function, measurement and documentation of specific behaviors and program development will be presented. Social skills training, de-escalation, re-direction, medical aspects and research-based strategies will be presented. A 10 hour field experience is required.