Early Childhood Education Class Descriptions

EDU 101.  Introduction to Preschool and Primary School Teaching.  (1)

Introduction to teaching and learning in the early childhood classroom (Pre-K—third grade) and to the Early Childhood Program. Emphasis is on Newberry College Conceptual Framework Standards and Dispositions for Teaching, state program and testing requirements and reflection. Requires 16 hours of Values Based Learning.

EDU 101 is required for early childhood students.

Offered every semester. Prerequisite for all other education classes or taken concurrently with EDU 224.

EDU 224.  Foundations of Teaching and Learning.  (3)

A survey course focusing on the foundations of education, including the characteristics and expectations of the profession. Content includes the historical, philosophical, legal, governance and societal influences on American schools.  Emphasis is placed on the Newberry College Conceptual Framework Standards and Dispositions for Teaching. Requires 12 hours of field experience in public schools.

Required of all education candidates.

Candidates should take EDU 224 and EDU 230 in different semesters.

Offered every semester. Prerequisite or Corequisite: EDU 101, 102, 103 or 104.

EDU 230.  Human Development and Learning.  (3)

A study of the development of the learner through the lifespan, with emphasis on childhood and adolescence in the school setting. Topics include: physical, social, emotional, language, and cognitive development.

This course emphasizes the relationship between development and learning and individual differences in personality, achievement, learning ability, and moral development. Some attention is given to psychological measurement and school grading practices. Requires 24 hours of field experience in public schools.

Required of all education candidates.

Candidates should take EDU 224 and EDU 230 in different semesters.

Offered every semester. Prerequisite: EDU 101, 102, 103 or 104.

EDU 232. Working with Exceptional and Diverse Learners. (3)

This course provides teacher candidates with information concerning characteristics, educational procedures, and instructional needs related to exceptionalities and diversity in public school classrooms.

Required of all education candidates

Prerequisites: EDU 101, 102 or 104, EDU 224 and EDU 230.

ECE 233. Early Childhood Curriculum and Assessment.  (3)

A study of the 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 assessments.

Required of all early childhood candidates.

Offered Fall semester. Prerequisites: EDU 101 and EDU 224.

ECE 251. Mathematical Concepts for Young Children. (3)

Intended to introduce candidates to a study of the principles of mathematical development in the preoperational and concrete operational stages of early childhood (PK-3). The context will focus on the inquiry approach, use of manipulatives, and integration of mathematics into other subject areas. A field experience of 12 hours, including teaching in the public schools, is required for this course

Required of all early childhood education candidates.

Offered Spring semester. Prerequisites: EDU 101 and EDU 224.

NOTE: All candidates must pass Praxis I Reading, Writing, and Mathematics tests and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program to be eligible to take 300-level and 400-level education courses. Students can request approval for a one-time waiver if the circumstance warrants this exception.  A waiver can be obtained from the Education Department Office and allows a student to take one restricted course before being admitted to the Teacher Education Program.

EDU 321. Children's Literature.  (3)

A survey of international literature (prose and verse representing a range of periods) for children, with emphasis on teaching methods and curricular issues. Required 12 hour field experience involving teaching in the public schools.

Required of all Elementary Education majors. A grade of “C” or better is required.

Offered Spring Semester on basis of need.

Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education

EDU 341. Classroom Environment for Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms.  (3)

Intended to introduce candidates to the principles underlying instruction and assessment in early childhood and elementary grades. Emphasis is placed on state and national curriculum standards; lesson design, implementation, assessment, characteristics of successful researched-based instructional approaches; successful classroom management approaches and current trends and issues in education. Requires 24 hours of field experience in public schools.

Required of all early childhood and elementary education majors. PK-12 candidates may take either EDU 341 or EDU 342.

Offered Fall Semester. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.

ECE 351. Language Development and Communication Skills: Young Children. (3)

This course will provide a study of the principles of language development in early childhood and the complex connections between linguistic development and the child’s family and community. The content will focus on language development, cultural, and linguistic diversity (PK-3). A field experience of 12 hours of observation, including teaching in the public schools is required for this course.

Required of all early childhood education candidates.

Offered Fall Semester on basis of need. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education..

ECE 352.  Literacy Development in Young Children. (3)

This course will provide candidates content knowledge and experiences in developing literacy programs for young children, ages PK-3.  The content will focus on developmentally appropriate approaches, strategies, and tools used in the acquisition of reading, writing, and speaking skills.

Required of all Early Childhood Education candidates.

Offered Spring Semesteron basis of need. Prerequisites: Admission to Teacher Education and ECE 351.

EDU 382.  Technology and Teaching.  (3).

A study of principles of instructional design and the integration of multimedia tools to the learning environment. Participants will evaluate and develop multimedia and web-based instructional applications.

Required of all teacher education students.

B.M.E. candidates may take MUS 382.

Offered every semester. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.

ECE 437.  Teaching and Integrated Curriculum.  (3)

This course emphasizes the use of content knowledge, effective 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 the knowledge from previous courses to create a healthy, respectful, supportive, and academically challenging environment for all children.

Required of all elementary education candidates.

Offered Spring Semester. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.

ECE 438. Methods and Materials for Language Arts and Social Studies.  (3)

This course is a study of methods and materials used for teaching language arts and social studies. Emphasis will be on the use of multi-teaching strategies to meet the needs of primary students PK-3 in the areas of language, spelling, listening, composition, and speaking with an integration of the social studies content.

Required of all early childhood education candidates.

Offered Fall Semester. Prerequisite:  Admission to Teacher Education.

ECE 439. Methods and Materials for Science and Mathematics.  (3)

This course is a study of methods and materials used for teaching mathematics and sciences in the K-3 classroom. Emphasis will be on the integration of math and science content, promotion of positive attitudes toward the teaching of the content areas, concept development, questioning techniques, and multimedia teaching strategies for meeting the needs of individuals and groups.

Required of all early childhood education candidates.

Offered spring semester. Prerequisite:  Admission to Teacher Education.

EDU 480.  Internship. (All Programs).  (12)

This course is designed to provide experience useful in stimulating and guiding the learning activities of students, developing teaching skills of a high order, and promoting professional attitudes that are necessary for successful teaching, and completing a professional portfolio.  Candidates spend 14 weeks in 2 public school placements.

Offered only with Education 483: Internship Seminar.

Required of all candidates in all education programs.

A $125 fee is charged for this course.

Offered every semester. Co-requisite: EDU 483

Prerequisites: Completion of all major courses and admission to the Internship by the Teacher Education Committee. The candidate must provide evidence of having taken or registered for Praxis II tests.

EDU 483.  Internship Seminar (All Programs).  (3)

Seminar activities prior to student teaching and weekly seminars on campus during student teaching. Emphasis on developing a Unit Work Sample, Resumes and Interviewing, Lesson Planning and Professional Portfolio completion.

Offered only with Education 480: Internship.

Required of all candidates in all education programs.

Offered every semester. Co-requisite: EDU 480

Prerequisites: Completion of all major courses and admission to the internship by the Teacher Education committee. The candidate  must provide evidence of having taken or registered for Praxis II tests.