Young Adolescents, Schools and Communities – EDUC 602

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

An overview of the characteristics and issues related to transescence and their implications for educational practice. Understanding of preadolescent physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual development will be applied to school processes and the teacher's interaction with middle school students and families.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

Because of the developmental diversity among early adolescent learners, it is imperative for middle school educators to construct a strong basis for their practice with the age group of 10– 15-year-olds. Middle school students are impacted in unique ways by societal influences and changes in family and community structures. An understanding of these factors will improve instructional experiences for this age group and will lead to increased academic achievement and personal development.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

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

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion.  The candidate will then reply to classmates’ threads or attached submission for feedback, critique, and interaction. (CLO: D)

Learning Log Assignments (8)

A learning log template will be used to structure reflective responses to readings and media throughout the course. The candidate will make connections with past experiences, speculate how ideas might be implemented in the future, and critique ideas in light of a biblical worldview. (CLO: D)

Middle School History PowerPoint Assignment

The candidate will create a PowerPoint presentation discussing the history and progression of middle level education from colonial times to present day. The presentation must have at least 10 slides containing informational content supported with at least 5 scholarly sources in current APA format. The candidate must also include detailed speaker notes for each slide. (CLO: A)

Literature Review

Discussion: Literature Review – Topic Sentence

The candidate will select a topic relating to young adolescents and submit that topic to the instructor for approval. (CLO: B)

Final

After the topic has been approved, the candidate will write an 8–10-page Literature Review in current APA format that focuses on the approved topic. The paper must include at least 10 research articles from academic, peer-reviewed journals. (CLO: B)

Biblically Integrated Lesson Plan Assignment

Using provided lesson plans and a worksheet template, the candidate will create a plan for integrating a biblical worldview into two lesson plans. The candidate will use pertinent Scripture verses and passages in the lesson plans to integrate biblical truths within the content material. (CLO: C)

Quiz: Association for Middle Level Education

The Quiz: Association for Middle Level Education will cover the content found in AMLE’s publication “The Successful Middle School: This We Believe.” The quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 10 multiple-choice and true/false questions, three essay questions, and have a three-hour time limit. The candidate will discuss the attributes and characteristics of a successful middle school. (CLO: E)