1 Eastern Illinois University Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle Level Education ELE 4770: METHODS AND CURRICULUM IN THE PRIMARY GRADES (3 credits) Spring 2008 Instructor: Mrs. Teresa Truesdale Office Hours: by appointment only Phone: 217-348-3912 (home) E-mail: [email protected] Theme: Educators as creators of effective educational environment, integrating diverse students, subjects, strategies, and societies. Catalog Description: A study of curriculum, units of instruction, lesson planning and techniques for teaching mathematics, science, and social studies in the primary grades. Course Prerequisite: ELE 3250 Course Purpose: Building on knowledge of human growth and development, and an awareness of learning and the means of facilitating and stimulating learning, this course addresses three major areas of the primary curriculum: mathematics, science, and the social studies. This course will focus on student involvement in planning lessons and activities appropriate for mathematics, science, and social studies in the primary grades. Course Texts: 1. Charlesworth, R. & Lind, K.K. (2007). Math & science for young children. NY: Thompson-Delmar Learning. 2. Wallace, M. (2006). Social studies: All day, every day in early childhood classroom. NY: Thompson- Delmar Learning. Supplemental Material: Live Text Model of Teaching: Developmental Learning Model This model emphasizes development that occurs as a result of interaction between the individual and the physical and social environment. Learning occurs when individuals assimilate new experiences into already exiting cognitive structures. The model pays great attention to the individual perspective and shapes education so that students can better understand themselves, take responsibility for their own learning, and go beyond current developments in order to become stronger, more sensitive, and more creative. (Joyce, B., Weil, M. & Showers, B (1992). Models of Teaching, 4th. Ed. Boston: Allyn & Bacon). Dispositions: Teacher candidates in the department of EC/ELE/MLE will exhibit professional ethnical practices, effective communication, sensitivity to diversity, the ability to provide varied teaching practices evidenced in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere for learning. Teaching Standards Related to the ELE 4770 Illinois Professional Teaching Standards (IPTS): http://www.isbe.net/profprep/standards.htm Illinois Core Technology Standards (ICTS): www.isbe.state.il/profprep/standards.htm Illinois Core Language Arts Standards (ICLAS): www.isbe.NET/profprep/CASDvr/ pdfs/24110_corelangarts_sts.pdf National Association of Education for Young Children Standards (NAEYC): http://www.naeyc.org/accreditation/next_era.asp Outcomes Specific to this Course:2• Provides a contextual base for helping children construct fundamental concepts in math and science through experiences that are designed to meet each child’s developmental needs. • Demonstrate mathematical skills, concepts, and procedures and how to promote young children’s development of mathematical understandings and their ability to apply mathematical skills in varied context. • Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental scientific concepts and process and how to promote young children’s development of scientific knowledge and skills, including their use of scientific thinking reasoning, and inquiry. • Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts, skills, and modes of inquiry in the social studies and how to promote young children’s development of knowledge and skills in this area. • Develop competence in planning, teaching and assessing themed learning activities that meet state goals and standards. • Demonstrate alternative methods of achieving similar learning outcomes including constructivist methods and higher order and critical thinking skills. • Provide for the uniqueness of individuals, recognizing the characteristics of culturally pluralistic and “at risk” populations, and foster appreciation for those differences. • Use appropriate technology to support teaching and learning. Course Overview This course focuses on three main subject areas; mathematics, science and social studies for elementary grade students. Math for Young Children This section discusses the Illinois Learning Standards for Math, concept development in math, how concepts develop and are acquired, promoting young children’s concept development through problem solving, and assessing the child’s developmental level. Topics cover in this section are; concept development, fundamental concepts and skills in mathematics, applying fundamental conceit, attitudes, and skills, symbols and higher level activities and mathematics concepts and operation. Five content standards in math will be discuss; numbers and numbers operations, geometry, algebra, measurement, data analysis and probability. Science for Young Children This section discusses science content standards, teaching strategies using concept development, process of inquiry and process of skills in science, planning for science fundamental concepts in science and science activities for young children. Topics covered in this sections are; physical science, life science, earth and space science, environmental awareness, health and nutrition. Social Studies for Young Children. This sections discusses the ten strands in the social studies area; culture, time, continuity, and changes; people, places, and environment; individual development and identity individuals, groups, instuitions; power, authority, and governance; production, distribution, and consumption; science, technology, and society; global connections; civic ideals and practices; time, continuity, and change. Course Requirements Course Requirements and Evaluations: Points Due Date 1. Activity File (math, science, and social studies) 30 Feb. 4 2. Science Kit (presentation) 30 Feb. 25 3. Mid-Term 50 March 3 4. Lesson presentation (social studies) 30 March 31 5. Thematic Unit 200 April 7 & 14 6. Participation 20 Total 360 Grading Scales A = 92- 100% B = 82- 91% C = 72- 81% D = 62- 71% NOTE: If your Live Text requirements are rated, by the instructor, to have been completed in less than a satisfactory manner then no more than a "D" may be earned in the class regardless of the number of points earned.3Tentative Course Schedule