DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Dr. Rena Lott, Chairperson
311 Patton Hall

The Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education offers coursework and field experiences leading to the Master of Science in Education with teacher certification (Class A and Class A "Alternative") in Early Childhood Education (P-3) and Elementary Education (K-6).  The Department also offers coursework and research opportunities for the Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education with Class AA teacher certification.

Early Childhood and Elementary Education 

ECE 503 Learning Styles - Three semester hours.  This course takes an in-depth look at the personal and behavioral characteristics of an individual which can be identified as learning styles.

ECE 504 Problems in Improving Reading - Three semester hours.  Investigations of the practices and trends in the teaching of reading materials of instruction in reading, particularly remedial materials; techniques and materials for prevention of reading difficulties; and diagnosis and remediation of reading difficulties.

ECE 505 Problems in Improving Mathematics Skills - Three semester hours.  This course presents materials, teaching, and teaching procedures for the improvement of learning in the new mathematics.  The study of current problems affecting children's development of number concepts and skills will be addressed.

ECE 507 Children's Literature - Three semester hours.  Consideration will be given to locating and evaluating children's books and to the method of organizing, teaching, and evaluating a literature program for children.  The philosophy of the selection and study of literature, emphasizing appropriate content, good style, and suitability of various age groups are examined.  Extensive reading and sharing of children's literature are required.

ECE 509 Trends and Issues in Social Studies - Three semester hours.  A detailed consideration of problems concerned with selection of what to teach; the grade placement of content, methods, and materials of teaching; and means of evaluating achievements in social studies with particular attention given to recent trends.

ECE 510 Improving Science Teaching - Three semester hours.  In this course, investigations and evaluations will be made of instructional methods designed to challenge pupils at each level of their elementary science and health program.  The course will include such topics as the earth and universe, living things, matter and energy, magnetism and electricity, nutrition, hygiene, and other personal health components.  Practicum required for Alternative Master's candidates only.

ECE 512 Investigation of Language Arts - Three semester hours.  The course is a study of the total language arts program.  Emphasis is on understanding the language processes, literacy development, and the interrelatedness of communication competencies-listening, speaking, reading/writing current research, goals, trends, issues, instructional strategies, programs, materials, and assessment/evaluation techniques are examined.  Class sessions are designed to be interactive with class members giving demonstrations that involve fellow classmates in hands-on participation and active discussion.

ECE 514 Basic Skills - Three semester hours.  This course is a critical evaluation of recent developments in the teaching of basic skills in the elementary school.

ECE 518 Environmental Education Across the Curriculum - Three semester hours.  This course is designed to assist educators in improving their teaching of kindergarten through eighth grade levels, specifically as it relates to environmental education.  Goals, objectives and teaching strategies associated with environmental education will be reviewed in keeping with the characteristic needs of learners at specific age levels.  Emphasis will be placed on the interrelatedness of environmental education with traditional curriculum content areas, especially science.  Participants also will explore practical applications of environmental education philosophies.  The course incorporates "hands-on" habitat studies, inquiry-based learning, nationally acclaimed environmental education programs and a residential component stressing cooperative learning.

ECE 520 Foundations of Teaching Reading - Three semester hours.  A fundamental course designed to establish a foundation of the essential reading skills that can be used effectively by pre-service teachers.  This course focuses on teaching reading to a diverse population of elementary students using a variety of approaches.

ECE 521 Research in Elementary/Early Childhood Education - Three semester hours.  This course is concerned with Reviewing the Literature around a topic of interest of the candidate, according to the latest APA Manual.  This course makes it possible for a candidate to pursue an area of special interest and develop an understanding of how to study a topic in-depth.  This research is done under the supervision of the instructor, and may culminate with an examination based on the content of the research.

ECE 602 Theoretical Foundations of Early Childhood Education - Three semester hours.  This course traces the story of elementary and early childhood education.  Candidates evaluate the theoretical basis for P-6 programs through research, readings, and class discussions.

ECE 603 Field Research - Three semester hours.  This course is designed for Ed.S. degree candidates in early childhood or elementary education for the purpose of developing research skills.  Projects will involve models that draw upon teachers' own questions, knowledge, and concerns as a basis for exploration and action.  Candidates will develop an understanding of research that is designed to both inform and support teachers' engagement in classroom issues.  Candidates will identify an area of interest and move form conception of a field-based research topic to an analytic framework for analyzing data.  All candidates will submit a substantial written research report that includes a thorough review of the scientific literature.  Presentation of an informal oral report is required.  Permission of the Chair of the Reading Program is required for candidates to receive credit for reading/literacy research.

ECE 612 Advanced Instructional Strategies for Young Children - Three semester hours.  This course presents and explores a scientific approach to classroom instruction.  It is designed to foster the development of a personal philosophy of teaching which will serve as a guide for action in all phases of traditional and innovative instruction and will involve strategies for analysis of teaching, individualized instruction, and mode of evaluation of learning.

ECE 625 Trends in Teaching Social Studies in Elementary Schools - Three semester hours.  This course is concerned with a detailed consideration of problems concerned with selection of what to teach, the grade placement of content, methods, and materials of teaching, current research, and means of evaluating achievements in social studies with particular attention given to recent trends.

ECE 671 Advanced Research in Elementary and Early Childhood - Three semester hours.  This course is concerned with guiding the candidate in the development of the first three chapters in the thesis, according to the latest APA Manual.  This course makes its possible for a candidate to pursue an area of special interest and develop the foundation of a thesis completing the first three chapters (a thesis is directed by a major advisor who may choose not to use the three chapters developed in this course in the completion of the candidate's actual thesis).  This study is done under the supervision of the instructor, and may culminate with an examination based on the content.

Early Childhood Education 

ECH 502 Workshop in Early Childhood Education - Three semester hours.  This course is designed to allow graduate candidates the opportunity to study or work on topics or projects of collective concern.  Topics vary.

ECH 506 Curriculum Design - Three semester hours.  Curriculum design in light of the latest understandings and needs in early childhood education with some experience in the implementation of certain aspects of the curriculum in laboratory school P-3.

ECH 516 Multi-Sensory Approaches - Three semester hours.  The development of the sensory avenues and the concomitant processes in infancy and childhood, including concept information, development of these processes, and evaluating process are given consideration.  Practical experiences identifying learning disabilities.

ECH 517 Theory, Methods and Materials in Early Childhood Education - Three semester hours.  The philosophies and methods extant in early childhood education, their purposes and efficacy, including a look at special education and its involvement in the mainstream of education.  It will include laboratory observation and participation.

ECH 595 Internship in Early Childhood Education - Six semester hours.  This course is an intensive 14-week, full-time supervised internship in a public school.  Weekly on-campus seminars are a required part of the course.

ECH 602 Strategies of Parent Involvement - Three semester hours.  The importance and optimal role of parent involvement factors in the being and becoming of the child and adolescent through the various stages of the metamorphosis to maturity and beyond.  The method will be competency-based and permit selection of a particular stage in the role of parent involvement for concentration at any given age and stage of human development by each of the class members, while at the same time pursuing a comprehensive knowledge of the role of parenting at all stages, with an emphasis on optimal strategies for involvement.  The student will be required to demonstrate the ability to prescribe strategies for parent involvement at each stage of the child/adolescent development.

ECH 698 Thesis I - Three semester hours.  Candidates will complete the proposed thesis.

ECH 699 Thesis II - Three semester hours.  Candidates will complete the thesis.

ECH 602 Strategies of Parent Involvement - Three semester hours.  The importance and optimal role of parent involvement factors in the being and becoming of the child and adolescent through the various stages to the maturity and beyond.  The course will focus on parent involvement for concentration at any given age and stage of human of the metamorphosis to maturity and beyond.  The method will be competency-based and permit selection of a particular stage in the role of parent involvement for concentration at any given age and stage of human development by each of the class members, while at the same time pursuing a comprehensive knowledge of the role of parenting at all stages, with an emphasis on optimal strategies for involvement.  The student will be required to demonstrate the ability to prescribe strategies for parent involvement at each stage of the child/adolescent development.

In addition to other deficiencies, candidates seeking the Alternative Master's in Early Childhood Education (P-3) must complete the following undergraduate teaching field courses:  ECE 304, ECE 305, ECH 300, ECH 405, ECE 305 and PSY 403.  Early Childhood Education Alternative Master's candidates seeking the additional endorsement in Elementary Education must complete the following graduate courses:  ELE 509 and ELE 519.

Elementary Education 

ELE 509 Evaluation in Elementary Schools - Three semester hours.  This course is designed to develop candidates' understanding of the principles and procedures of evaluation in elementary classroom settings.  Both formal and informal methods of evaluation will be emphasized, including designing and constructing criterion-referenced tests, analyzing and interpreting results of norm-referenced tests, as well ad developing portfolios, rubrics, checklists, and other performance assessments.  National standards and the evaluation of personnel, programs, and curricula will be included in this course.

ELE 511 Workshop in Elementary Schools - Three semester hours.  This course is designed to allow graduate candidates the opportunity to study or work on topics or projects of collective concern.  Topics vary.

ELE 519 Elementary School Curriculum - Three semester hours.  The course is designed to help students develop or extend their knowledge base regarding curricular and instructional concepts, designs, problems, and variables.  Students will study the historical, psychological, philosophical and social foundations of the elementary school curriculum.  The course will focus on characteristics of children/learners, curriculum designs, strategies for learning, and content areas in the elementary school.

ELE 595 Internship in Elementary Education - Six semester hours.  This course is an intensive 14-week, full-time supervised internship in a public school.  Weekly on-campus seminars are a required part of the course.

ELE 614 Teaching Strategies for the Affective Dimension of Reading - Three semester hours.  The content of the course is centered around teaching strategies that motivate children to seek self-actualization through pleasure and knowledge acquired from reading.  Techniques of bibliography and children's literature related to the affective domain are included.

ELE 698 Thesis I - Three semester hours.  Candidates will complete the proposed thesis.

ELE 699 Thesis II - Three semester hours.  Candidates will complete the thesis.

In addition to other deficiencies, candidates seeking the Alternative Master's in Elementary Education (K-6) must complete the following undergraduate teaching field courses:  ECE 304, ECE 305, ECE 407, ELE 300, and PSY 403.  Elementary  Education Alternative Master's candidates seeking the additional endorsement in Early Childhood Education must complete the following graduate courses:  ECH 506 and ECH 516.