Elementary Education

The Elementary Education program at Presbyterian College is a challenging, field-based experience for students wishing to pursue certification to teach grades 2-6. The program is designed to provide exemplary training in methods of instruction in mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts paired with field experiences to provide an avenue to practice and hone instructional skills. Students complete coursework focusing on theories of learning, educating students with special needs, working with gifted and talented students, inquiry-based instruction, classroom management, and other current topics in elementary education.

Possible Course Sequence for Elementary Education

For further information about this program, please contact Dr. Julie Smart at jbsmart@presby.edu.

EDEL ● Elementary Education

305 Science Methods (3) (PR: Acceptance into Teacher Education Program) This course focuses on the content, methods, and materials for teaching science to elementary students. Teacher candidates will use elementary science standards, developmentally appropriate pedagogies, and a variety of assessment strategies in designing, implementing, and evaluating science experiences in elementary settings. Classroom management strategies, safety considerations, family and community connections, and the use of technology will also be addressed.

306 Social Studies Methods (3) (PR: EDEC 311) This course focuses on the content, methods, and materials for teaching social studies to elementary students. Teacher candidates will use elementary social studies standards, developmentally appropriate pedagogies, and a variety of assessment strategies in designing, implementing, and evaluating social studies experiences in elementary settings. Classroom management strategies, safety considerations, family and community connections, and the use of technology will also be addressed.

309 Math Content for Elementary Teachers (3) (PR: Acceptance into Teacher Education Program) This course focuses specifically on the mathematics content relevant to the teaching of elementary mathematics. This course will strengthen the content knowledge of elementary pre-service teachers in the following content strands: number and operation, geometry, algebra, measurement, and data analysis and probability. Teacher candidates will engage in a variety of experiences geared to increase conceptual understanding of these central content strands in elementary mathematics. These experiences will include problem solving exercises, examining student solutions, justifying mathematical reasoning, and critiquing mathematical solutions of their peers. This course will precede EDEL 312 – Math Methods.

312 Math Methods (3) (PR: EDEC 311) This course focuses on the content, methods, and materials for teaching math to elementary student. Teacher candidates will use elementary math standards, developmentally appropriate pedagogies, and a variety of assessment strategies in designing, implementing, and evaluating mathematics in elementary settings. Classroom management strategies, safety considerations, family and community connections, and the use of technology will also be addressed.

313 Teaching Reading at the Elementary Level (3) (PR: EDEC 311 and EDMS 342) The content focuses on effective pedagogy for early and fluent readers and writers; developmentally appropriate literacy materials and experiences; cultural and linguistic diversity; and diagnosis and remediation for struggling readers and writers. Candidates will have the opportunity to engage early and fluent readers and writers in literacy activities through field-based experiences. CO = Co-requisite ● POI = Permission of Instructor ● PR = Prerequisite ● RE = Recommended ● XL = Cross-listed 69

394 Practicum in Classroom Management and Organization (1) (PR: EDEC/EDUC 392 ● XL: EDEC, EDMS and EDSD 394) This practicum in classroom management and organization provides for direct involvement in the school and classroom setting during the week of preplanning and the first week of school. Students study the school context; learn effective procedures necessary for the establishing, managing, and organizing a classroom; and participate in opening school experiences.

398 Honors Research (3) (PR: Acceptance into Teacher Education Program) Departmental Honors: Students with a 3.20 GPA in all courses and a 3.40 GPA in all courses in the major field may, with the approval of departmental faculty, undertake an honors research program during the junior and/or senior years. This program must include a senior thesis or project of exceptional quality and an oral defense of the paper or project before departmental members. This defense is to be open to the College community, and honors students will participate in all other defenses within their discipline. Students who successfully complete the departmental honors research program will graduate ―with honor in the major field.

405 Observation/Assessment; 406 Planning; and 407 Teaching: Directed Teaching in Elementary Education (3, 3, 6) (PR: Acceptance into Teacher Education Program; SR status and successful completion of all requirements for clinical practice) Provides for directed and closely supervised performance of student teachers in the full range of duties of classroom teachers. Regular seminars and personal conferences are an integral component of the course. A minimum grade of ―C‖ is required to receive the College‘s recommendation for certification.

442 Directed Studies (1-6) (PR: JR or SR status; departmental majors and students in teacher certification programs only; minimum GPA 2.5) Designed to allow the student to pursue a topic of special interest. See page 22.

444 Internships (1-6) (PR: minimum GPA 2.5) A maximum of six hours credit may be counted towards graduation. Internships are graded on a pass/fail basis only. A department may, at its option, allow the hours earned in an internship to count toward its major.

446 Readings (1-6) Selected readings are open to students with sophomore, junior, or senior standing. Hours earned in these readings cannot be used to meet requirements for the major. A maximum of nine hours credit may be counted towards graduation.

448 Research (1-6) (PR: departmental majors and students in teacher certification programs; minimum GPA 2.5) A maximum of nine hours credit may be counted towards graduation. A department may, at its option, allow the hours earned in an internship to count toward its major.

450 Seminar (3) Seminars are regularly offered by various departments of the College. The requirements for these courses are individually listed.

452 Special Projects (1-6) Special Projects are open to sophomore, junior, or senior students who have a GPA of 2.25 and approval by the Provost. A maximum of nine hours credit may be counted towards graduation.

458 Special Topics (1-6) Special topics courses are those that cover subject matter that is not part of the regular curriculum. A special topics course must have the prior approval of the department and the Provost and may be offered twice. Students may enroll in and receive credit for an unlimited number of special topic courses as long as any prerequisites or other requirements are met.