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DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
UNDERGRADUATE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Early Childhood & Elementary Education
ECE 300 Artistic Expressions through Art, Music and Movement – 3 hrs. This course is designed to give candidates an understanding of how art and music is used in the classroom to aid student’s artistic expressions. Special emphasis is given to the use of art and music to enhance the physical and motor growth and development of all young children. The content of this course is designed so that candidates are given information and resources about primary students (P-3) and intermediate students (4-6). A practicum is required. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.
ECE 301 Materials and Methods of Teaching Language Arts – 3 hrs. This course is designed to provide candidates with experiences that give them knowledge, skills, and dispositions about methods and materials related to language arts with special emphasis on listening, handwriting, reading, speaking, and children’s literature. Emphasis will also be placed on writing compositions. The content of this course is planned around primary students (P-3) and intermediate students (4-6). A practicum is required. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.
ECE 302 Materials and Methods of Teaching Science – 3 hrs. This course is intended to help candidates develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to teach effectively and to nurture children’s curiosity. The curriculum concept will target primary students (P-3) and intermediate students (4-6). The curriculum topics emphasized in this course will include: process of science and scientific inquiry, construction of science knowledge, science teaching strategies, planning for science instruction and health education and nutrition. A practicum is required. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.
ECE 303 Materials and Methods of Teaching Social Studies – 3 hrs. This course emphasizes the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed by candidates to become effective classroom social studies teachers. The course will underscore the content taught to primary students (P-3) and intermediate students (4-6). Among topics, the instruction will focus on cooperative learning, multicultural concerns, current issues, inquiry methods and developing map and globe concepts. A practicum is required. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.
ECE 304 Teaching Reading to Young Children – 3 hrs. This course will provide an in-depth study of early literacy development and word identification strategies that will include methods of assessment and instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension. Major approaches to reading instruction developmentally appropriated for young children will be investigated. A practicum is required. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.
ECE 305 Materials and Methods of Teaching Mathematics – 3 hrs. This course is designed to provide experiences related to mathematics education for primary students (P-3) and intermediate students (4-6). The emphasis of the first part of the course is on the concept development of young children, early number sense, and concepts and operations for the primary grades. The second part of the course focuses on the nature of mathematical processes, methods of instruction, instructional materials, the evaluation of outcomes, and current research and reform in mathematics education. A practicum is required. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.
ECE 306 Word Attack Techniques Skills – 3 hrs. This course presents the knowledge base of word attack instruction. It also provides principles, methods, and procedures for teaching the pronunciation and meaning of printed text. Candidates will gain experience, through the practicum component, in assessing the teaching of word attack strategies. A practicum is required. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.
ECE 404 Problems in Teaching Reading – 3 hrs. This course involves in-depth study into the reading process with regard to understanding reading comprehension. Candidates will learn to assess the strengths and weaknesses of readers in order to plan a program of accelerated instruction. A practicum is required. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.
ECE 405 Seminar: Issues and Problems in Teaching – 3 hrs. This course provides for an analysis of current trends and problems in teaching. Subjects of contemporary interest will be explored in depth by students. Attention will be given to possible solutions for current problems in education. A practicum is required. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.
ECE 407 Teaching Intermediate Readers – 3 hrs. This course provides in-depth study in and application of the process of reading and reading instruction, theoretical approaches, instructional strategies, classroom organization, and the formal/informal assessment of teaching reading in the intermediate grades. Emphases are on acquiring vocabulary, developing comprehension skills, and refining reading processes by modeling metacognitive strategies that promote reading for meaning in a balanced literacy program. A practicum is required. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.
ECE 412 Children’s Literature – 3 hrs. This is a survey course of current and traditional literature applicable to diverse populations of children. The components of a well-balanced literature program and related audio-visual media are explored as a means of enriching the basic curriculum and as a source of information and pleasure for children. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.
Early Childhood Education
ECH 300 Programs in Early Childhood Education – 3 hrs. This course is designed to introduce candidates to the field of early childhood education. Topics to include trends and issues in early childhood education, learning theories related to early childhood education and career opportunities in the field. Prerequisite: Advisor approval.
ECH 303 Early Childhood Education: Methods & Materials - 3 hrs. A study of principles and practices which are implemented in early childhood education. Practicum required. Prerequisite: Advisor approval.
ECH 402 Creating & Implementing Teaching Materials in Early Childhood Education - 3 hrs. A course which places emphasis on the designing and laboratory testing of teacher-made materials useful in teaching young children cognitive and social skills. Prerequisite: Advisor approval.
ECH 405 Organization and Administration of Early Childhood Education Programs – 3 hrs. This course is developed to address the administration, organization and supervision of programs for infants and young children. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.
ECH 407 Practicum in Groups of Young Children - 3 hrs. University-supervised practical experiences in working with young children in an on/off-campus public or private state accredited school, grade level p-3. Prerequisite: Advisor approval.
ECH 411 Teacher Education Workshops - 3 hrs. Selected topics related to early childhood programs and activities. Prerequisite: Advisor approval.
ECH 495 Internship Seminar – 12 hrs. This course consists of sixteen weeks of full-time or approved private teaching under the immediate direction of supervising teachers in off-campus public schools. Candidates share their experiences, discuss problems, and develop new techniques in a professional seminar for the duration of teaching experience. Prerequisite: Departmental approval. Weekly seminar is required.
Early Childhood Education candidates seeking the additional endorsement in Elementary Education (K-6) must complete the following courses: ECE 407 and ELE 300.
Elementary Education
ELE 300 Elementary School Organization – 3 hrs. This course surveys all aspects of elementary education as a professional career. Candidates will become familiar with dynamics affecting research-based best teaching practices in the elementary school. Special emphasis will be given to integrating the elementary school curriculum to meet the needs of diverse populations, including students from various cultural backgrounds, students with special learning needs, and students who are English language learners. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.
ELE 495 Internship Seminar – 12 hrs. This course consists of sixteen weeks of full-time or approved private teaching under the immediate direction of supervising teachers in off-campus public schools. Candidates share their experiences, discuss problems, and develop new techniques in a professional seminar for the duration of teaching experience. Prerequisite: Departmental approval. Weekly seminar is required.
Elementary Education candidates seeking the additional endorsement in Early Childhood Education (P-3) must complete the following courses: ECH 300 and ECH 405.
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