ELED 3550A - Instructional Methods for the Elementary Classroom

6 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: ELED 3100 B or higher AND ELED 3400A C or higher AND ELED 3400B C or higher
Co-requisite: ELED 3550B
This course focuses on the design and delivery of developmentally appropriate instruction in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and the arts in grades P-5 for a wide range of students, including second-language learners and students with identified special needs. Emphasis will be placed on the particular ways of knowing associated with each content area and on incorporating and integrating these ways of knowing into learning activities for elementary students. Candidates will explore selected general models of teaching and their application in the elementary school setting, as well as specific pedagogies for the content areas, including appropriate educational technology applications. This course will also focus on the identification, selection and use of appropriate classroom management strategies to support instruction. Under the supervision of a qualified classroom teacher, candidates will learn to plan and implement developmentally appropriate and culturally inclusive instruction based on knowledge of individual students, the community and the curriculum goals and to differentiate instruction appropriately for all students, including students with cognitive, physical, social and emotional differences. Candidates will learn to incorporate developmentally appropriate practices such as play, small group projects, open-ended questioning, group discussion, problem solving, cooperative learning and inquiry experiences to encourage physical, social, emotional, aesthetic and cognitive development. Through the design, delivery and evaluation of lessons, candidates will demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts of each discipline as well as a developing ability to translate this knowledge into meaningful learning experiences for diverse students.