Elementary Education & ESL

Emphasizes the recursive writing process through appropriate determination of subject, audience, purpose, and style, with correct usage of grammar, punctuation, and logical organization. Students will use appropriate technologies for writing and learning.

Emphasizes intellectual and analytical reasoning through reading and writing assignments. Includes instruction in library and research technologies and the writing of a research project.

A study of the principles and practices of effective human communication, with emphasis placed on public speaking. The course emphasizes the critical thinking and skill development necessary for effective speech. Listening skills are included in the study.

Provides the student with a basic understanding of his or her economic environment and the basic principles and tools of personal financial management. Emphasis will be placed on personal financial planning, including budgeting, managing personal debt, insurance, taxes, investments, and real estate. When possible, topics will be analyzed and discussed from a Christian perspective.

Designed to assist the student in their understanding and development of a healthy lifestyle. Emphasis is placed on the components and behaviors that promote lifelong, positive outcomes in the five dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual. Includes a fitness laboratory component. Fee charged.

A study of biological concepts including the chemistry of life, principles of inheritance, evolutionary theories, biological organization of various organisms, and relationships between organisms and their environment. Issues related to current advances in biotechnology and medicine are also considered. The process of scientific inquiry is emphasized and practiced in both the lecture and laboratory. Fee charged.

Designed to convey the nature of matter and methods of study in the physical sciences and to study physical science concepts; issues and values related to the well-being of individuals, society and the environment are considered. Lecture and lab. Fee charged.

Designed to engage students in dialogue with a variety of Western and Non-Western world literature, past and present. ENG 2000 is a recommended prerequisite for all upper-level literature courses.

An introduction to Biblical faith and literature designed to help the student acquire a knowledge of the basic content of Scripture as well as be able to employ basic Bible study skills.

An introduction to theology as it has developed in the history of the church with a view to understanding the relation between faith and life. Special attention is given to understanding the doctrine of holiness.

An integration of Christian spirituality, life, and ministry. Through a wide variety of readings and experiences, care is given to evaluate the spiritual structure of the student and to understand spiritual gifts, disciplines, and what it means for each individual to be a constructive influence in the Church and society.

Designed to give students a historical perspective of music, art, sculpture, and architecture from ancient times to modern times.

Considers the realm of mathematics as some of the greatest ideas of humankind-ideas comparable to the works of Shakespeare, Plato, and Michelangelo. This course will introduce students to several of these ideas, selected from topics in numerical patterns, infinity, geometry, topology, chaos, probability, and statistics. Study of these topics will not only demonstrate the beauty of mathematics but will also develop critical thinking skills. This course is designed for liberal arts majors to satisfy the general education requirement.

Current approaches, methodologies, techniques, and materials for teaching English language learners primarily in K-12 setting. Designed to provide theoretical and practical experience in language acquisition. Fee charged. Course includes 10 hours of field experience in ESL classrooms, which must include a 6-12 setting.

Survey of United States' social, political, economic, and military development to 1877. Offered annually.

Survey of United States' social, political, economic, and military development from 1877 to the present. Offered annually.

Explores human growth and development over the life span to understand the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels: physically, emotionally, cognitively, and behaviorally. Designed to provide the developmental approach to cognition in children and adolescents within the context of major learning theories. Brain research, learning modalities, and metacognition are also examined.

An overview of the issues related to the characteristics of the exceptional learner. Concepts of learning and classroom management in the public school are considered.

Provides observation and participation in a public school. Field study is completed in the following areas: classroom observation, classroom material preparation, and classroom interactions to enhance the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions required of educators. The requirements for entering the Teacher Education Program are part of the course. Graded S-U.

Surveys the historical, social, philosophical, and psychological foundations of the American school system with emphasis on an introduction to the teaching profession. Designed to be the first course taken in the teacher education program. Taken in conjunction with EDU 1020.

Examines test construction and application of evaluation principles related to K-12. Emphasis on reading, interpreting, and using data from a variety of assessments including standardized and teacher-made achievement tests. Common Core Standards will be studied in relationship to both formative and summative assessment as instructional tools.

Focuses on the major traditional and current behavior management theorists and strategies. Prepares the candidate to use effective strategies for developing a safe but invigorating classroom climate. The creation of a Classroom Management Plan and its implementation in a classroom is included within this course. Only juniors or seniors scheduled to student teach within two semesters of taking EDU 3556 are permitted to enroll in the course.

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.

Focuses on the application and analysis of knowledge and teaching skills in the classroom, lesson and unit planning, classroom management, discipline models, and current professional issues. Taken in conjunction with enhanced student teaching. Permission required.

A prerequisite for Enhanced Student Teaching. This course provides the candidate with experiences in preparation, procedures, implementation, and submittal of required edTPA documentation for initial licensure. Permission required. Graded S/U.

Designed to assist the future teacher in developing an understanding of the whole person, including physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development; the continuum of health and how it interrelates with academic performance. Prevention of disease, first aid, CPR, choking, drug abuse, current health issues, and healthcare agencies are presented to increase the potential teacher's awareness in assisting students in all areas of their lives which affect their academic success.

Addresses language skills including listening, speaking, writing, handwriting, spelling, grammar, and usage. Emphasis on the child's total language development will be addressed. Course includes a 20 hour field experience.

A survey of children's literature in preparation for elementary school teaching and children's librarianship. The best of picture books and prose for children are introduced. Emphasis is placed on implementation of an effective literature program in the elementary grades.

This course examines the currently used models of ESL instruction from a variety of school boards and regions from across the country. Students are expected to not only understand the differences in models and methods but to also understand the implications for effective language learning. Fee charged. Course includes 10 hours of field experience in ESL classrooms, which must include a PreK-5 setting.

This course examines the differences between language proficiency assessment for placing and evaluation of language demonstration and use. Candidates are expected to understand the various methods of assessment and evaluation for ESL instructors as well as create samples of assessment and evaluation strategies. Fee charged.

This course includes the study of language transfer issues for ESL students and the examination of both the oral and written domains to provide appropriate instructional scaffolding. A descriptive linguistics course, including a focus on understanding phonologic, syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic aspects of language as they apply to an understanding of any ESL student's native language, significance is also given to sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic aspects of language learning. This is a research course. Fee charged.

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.

Focuses on media and specific technologies appropriate to teachers in the educational setting, both for instructional purposes and administrative tasks. Includes exposure to and use of various equipment, materials, and software, including Internet and Office. Computer-assisted instruction and management techniques are presented.

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.

A History of Mathematics course with an emphasis on the historical development of number systems, algebra, and geometry, as well as the use of mathematics in problem solving in other cultures and in other times.

Provides a look at elementary mathematics in-depth. Mathematical concepts will be explored both conceptually and procedurally. Participants will be encouraged to see mathematics not only through the formulas required to find answers but also through creative methods that promote understanding of the concepts. A variety of math manipulatives will be used.

An interdisciplinary approach to social studies instruction is presented identifying the contributions of the ten themes of social studies and the social science areas; integrating the various elementary subjects; and aligning the national, state, and local curriculum standards in lesson planning and instructional formation. The course analyzes current trends in instructional strategies to accommodate differing learning styles, abilities, and interests and apply learning theories and principles of child development to instructional planning that includes long and short-range goals appropriate for students. Methods to assist the learning of social studies by students with special needs, including English language learners, are included. An emphasis is placed on student participation in lessons, higher-order thinking, visual and performing arts, technology, language arts, inquiry based models, authentic assessment, and project based learning. A 10 hour field experience required. Fee charged.

Focuses on current trends, strategies, and materials for teaching mathematics in grades K-5. The constructivist approach to teaching math is emphasized, along with hands-on learning and conceptual understanding of math concepts. A 10 hour field experience in a K-5 setting is required. Fee charged.

Focuses on current trends, strategies, and materials for teaching science in grades K-5. The constructivist approach to teaching science is emphasized, along with inquiry-based learning and the guided discovery method. A 10 hour field experience in K-5 setting is required. Fee charged.

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 the culminating fifteen-week, semester-long experience of all who are specializing in elementary education (K-5). Enhanced student teaching consists of full-day classroom observation and practice teaching in two different school settings: one 7 1/2 week placement in grades K-2 and one 7 1/2 -week placement in grades 3-5. Graded S-U. Fee charged. Permission required.