Elementary School Curriculum – EDUC 410

Course Description

Recommendations are presented for curriculum for elementary grades based on major concepts, principles, theories and research related to child development to construct learning opportunities that support individual candidates’ development, acquisition of knowledge, and motivation. Planning and evaluating appropriate experiences and materials that nurture and challenge children as they progress through their stages of development are provided through practical activities. Current trends and how they affect the curriculum are also addressed.

Rationale

It is important for teacher candidates to be aware of the wide range of content, teaching methods, and potential resources that may be included in the classroom. The attention given to curriculum should be related to an understanding of how children learn and how school personnel can best motivate students to learn.

Course Assignment

Journal article readings and presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Candidate Expectations, the candidate will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions: Threads and Replies (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be at least 300 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the candidate is required to reply to one other classmate’s thread. Each reply must be at least 100 words. (CLO: B, G)

Lesson Plan

The candidate will use a variety of instructional resources, and the provided template to create a lesson plan that will be presented to a group of students during the accompanying practicum course. (CLO: C)

Curriculum Project

Teacher candidates must be proficient in designing and implementing a curriculum based on state, national, and professional standards. Through this project, candidates will learn the importance of pacing the curriculum to teach essential grade level content. Candidates will experience how to write block plans for the curriculum. These plans include character education, appropriate learning activities, differentiated instruction, critical thinking skills, technology integration, and assessment. The plans provide opportunities for collaboration and integration across the curriculum. The curriculum project will consist of six parts:

Curriculum Project: Mission Statement

For the first part of the curriculum project, the candidate will create a school and write a mission statement to guide the focus of the school. The candidate will also identify eight character principles that represent the values of the newly created school. (CLO: A)

Curriculum Project: Horizontal Mapping

For the second part of the curriculum project, the candidate will use the provided template to configure a map that displays when and how long instructional standards (content and/or skills) will be taught at the selected grade level. The curriculum map will cover a minimum of 18 weeks (90 days) of instruction in language arts, math, science, social studies, and integration possibilities. The candidate will also use the provided template to create a daily schedule for the selected grade level. (CLO: C)

Curriculum Project: Social Studies Charts

For the third part of the curriculum project, the candidate will use the previously completed curriculum map and the provided template to design block social studies lessons for a minimum of 20 instructional days. This assignment will include a list of resources related to social studies instruction and a portion of the integration checklist. (CLO: C, D, E, F)

Curriculum Project: Language Arts Charts

For the fourth part of the curriculum project, the candidate will use the previously completed curriculum map and the provided template to design block language arts lessons for a minimum of 20 instructional days. This assignment will include a list of resources related to language arts  instruction and a portion of the integration checklist. (CLO: C, D, E, F)

Curriculum Project: Math Charts

For the fifth part of the curriculum project, the candidate will use the previously completed curriculum map and the provided template to design block math lessons for a minimum of 20 instructional days. This assignment will include a list of resources related to math instruction and a portion of the integration checklist. (CLO: C, D, E, F)

Curriculum Project: Science Charts

For the sixth part of the curriculum project, the candidate will use the previously completed curriculum map and the provided template to design block science lessons for a minimum of 20 instructional days. This assignment will include a list of resources related to science instruction and a portion of the integration checklist. (CLO: C, D, E, F)