Education: Early Childhood Education

A survey of prose and verse representing a range of periods for children, with emphasis on teaching methods and curricular integration.

A study of the theories, design, implementation and evaluation of early childhood curriculum and assessment. This course focuses on the goals, benefits, and uses of developmentally appropriate curriculum, effective instructional strategies, and assessment.

This course will assist candidates in building family, school, and community partnerships that support children's well-being and educational success. Candidates will explore theories and processes used to establish positive relations to include: diversity of families, professionalism and ethics, the NAEYC Code of Conduct, and advocating for young children.

This course will focus on young children's creative expression through art, music, and movement. Candidates will develop strategies for using appropriate and open-ended instructional materials and providing intervention and support for exceptional children and multilingual students. Candidates will learn how to plan, implement, and evaluate art, music, and movement activities using developmentally appropriate growth and development guidelines.

A study of the content and process of the teaching of reading including phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency skills in grades PreK-3.

A study of methods and materials for teaching science in the K-3 classroom. Emphasis is on course integration, promotion of positive attitudes toward teaching science, concept development, questioning techniques, inquiry-based learning, and multimedia teaching strategies for meeting individual and group needs.

A study of methods and materials for teaching mathematics in the K-3classroom. Emphasis is on National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards, promotion of positive attitudes toward teaching mathematics, concept development, questioning techniques, constructivist approach to mathematics, and multimedia teaching strategies for meeting individual and group needs.

This course emphasizes the use of content knowledge, best practices, and proven theories in an interdisciplinary approach to teaching language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, health, and the arts in early childhood classroom. Candidates will demonstrate their ability to combine their knowledge to create an engaged, integrated curriculum to enhance a positive learning environment for children.

This course provides teacher candidates with an in-depth study of methods and materials used for teaching social studies to primary students (PK-3). Emphasis will be on the use of a variety of instructional strategies to meet the diverse needs of primary students in the areas of history, geography, economics, political science, and social studies.

A study of the diagnostic-prescriptive approach to the teaching of reading (grades PreK-3). Special emphasis is placed on understanding and utilizing various diagnostic instruments and implementing remedial techniques.