ELE 4770 Sp07Eastern Illinois UniversityDepartment of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle Level EducationELE 4770 Methods and Curriculum in the Primary Grades Spring 2007M: 7-9:30 P.M., Buzzard 2160Instructor: Dr. Sham`ah Md-YunusOffice: 2203, Buzzard HallOffice Hours: M: 12-2; 5-6;T: 12-1; W: 1-2; Th: 12-1.; other times by appointmentPhone: 217-581-6215 (office); 217-348-5646 (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 Description: This course will cover the nature of children’s need to explore their physical environment and the crucial role of the teacher in encouraging their interest in and knowledge of their physical environment. Ways to help children understand and appreciate their roles in society and activities that help promote knowledge of self and of others will be discussed. Math instruction utilizing the play and problem-solving interests of childhood from which learning emerges will be investigated. Course Rationale: This course is designed specifically to meet Illinois State Board of Education requirements for Early Childhood Certification. It is required of all elementary education majors following the Early Childhood Option.Course Goal: 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. Prerequisites: ELE 3250Outcomes for all the ELE Classes:- Develop a desire for lifelong learning. - Demonstrate good communication.- Demonstrate/ exhibit sensitivity to student’s feelings.- Demonstrate knowledge of facts, and an understanding of fundamental principles, ideas, and relationships among various domains.- Utilize concepts of measurement and assessment.- Provides for the uniqueness of the individual.- Emphasize higher order, critical thinking. Outcomes Specific to this Course:- 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 promoteyoung children’s development of scientific knowledge and skills, including their use of scientific thinking reasoning, and inquiry.1ELE 4770 Sp07- 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 Texts: 1. Charlesworth, R. & Lind, K.K. (2007). Math & Science for Young Children. NY: Thompson-Delmar Learning2. Wallace, M. (2006). Social studies: All day, every day in early childhood classroom. NY: Thompson-Delmar LearningLearning Model: Developmental: This model begins from the perspectives of the selfhood of the individual. It 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 alreadyexiting 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). If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodation, please contact the Office of Disability Services at 581-6583.Course Requirements and Evaluations: Points Due Date1. Activity File (math, science, and social studies) 30 2/5/072. Science Kit 30 3/25/073. Mid-Term 50 3/5/074. Thematic Unit 230 4/30/075. Lesson presentation (social studies) 20 4/23 & 4/30/076. Participation 20Total 380Grading Scales: A= 90% or above, B= 80- 89%, C= 70-79%, D= 60-69%, F= Below 60%Points: A= 342-380, B= 304-341, C= 266-303, D= 228-265, F= Below 227.Note: This syllabus is tentative. The instructor may change the topics and/or time of the class schedules. All written assignments must be in an American Psychological Association, 5th.ed. (APA) format and should reflect academic honesty and no plagiarism. Due dates will be set for all work, one points shall be deducted for each calendar day that a paper or project is late. Activity File and Thematic Unit are required to be submitted in the CD formAbsences: Regular attendance and class participation are expected and count as part of your grade. Students are allowed two absences throughout the semester. If you are absence or missed the class, it is your responsibility to check with your classmate first to see if there have been any assignment changes or materials covered in the class. Students are required to conform to classroom rules. Using cell phones and other electronic devices are strictly prohibited. 2ELE 4770 Sp07Tentative Course ScheduleWeek/Date Topic11/8/07 1. Overview Syllabus and Assignments- Thematic Unit- Activity File- Science Kit2. Illinois Learning Standards for Math & Science3. Concept Development in Math & Science- How Concepts Develop and Acquired- Promoting