Elementary Curriculum and Methods – EDUC 675

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

Course Description

An overview of the current issues and trends in the field of elementary teaching and curriculum.

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

Rationale

The purpose of this course is to provide a knowledge base concerning issues and trends in the field of elementary teaching, specifically in the area of curriculum. The candidate must have a sound knowledge base of elementary curriculum terminology and issues, a plan to effectively implement and assess elementary curriculum, and must begin to develop a network with other educators in the field to discuss and make recommendations concerning instructional and curricular issues at the elementary level.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

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

Discussions (7)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate is required to create a thread in response to the provided topic for each Discussion. Each thread must be at least 400 words, contain at least 3 scholarly citations, and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the candidate is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 200 words. Citations must be in current APA format and be no older than 5 years, unless used for historical information.

(CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H)

Integrated Unit Plan (IUP)

Initial Unit Information

The candidate will provide unit information for the grade and subject he/she will address. The information must include state and national standards, goals/objectives, and components of assessments.

Lesson Plans

The candidate will write 5 lesson plans, using the provided template, that center around his/her chosen unit topic.

Adaptations and Resources

The candidate will describe how he/she could adapt at least 3 learning activities in his/her unit for students with special needs. The candidate will also choose 10 resources from a collaborative resource compilation to incorporate into his/her unit plan.

Draft and Self Review

The candidate will complete a self-review of his/her Integrated Unit Plan (IUP) using the provided grading rubric.

Final Submission

The candidate will submit the final Integrated Unit Plan incorporating all parts of the project to both Canvas and to LiveText.

(CLO: A, C, D, F, G, H)

Personal Professional Development Plan

The candidate will write a 4–7-page paper in current APA format, creating a personal/professional development plan that he/she would like to implement. The candidate must incorporate a minimum of 3 resources. The title and reference pages do not count toward the page count. Sources must be no older than 5 years (unless used for historical information) and be in current APA format.

(CLO: E, F, G, H)

Diversity and Elementary School Learners

The candidate will utilize at least 5 resources to write a 6–8-page description of the diversity and learning characteristics found in the elementary school classroom. Scholarly sources must be no older than 5 years (unless used for historical information) and be in current APA format.

(CLO: B, G, H)

Collaborative Resource Compilation

The candidate will contribute to a course resource collection by adding 5 resources that deal with elementary school issues or basic instructional techniques, and 5 resources that deal with the content topic for his/her Integrated Unit Plan. Current APA format must be followed. All scholarly sources must be no older than 5 years (unless used for historical information).

(CLO: A, C, D, F)

Presentation Simulation

Field Expert Interview

The candidate will interview a field expert in the area of elementary curriculum and instruction, summarize the interviewee’s responses, and make recommendations for professional practice for educators based upon his/her findings. The student must include support and use 3–5 references from the readings.

Presentation Simulation

The candidate will create a presentation of 15–20 slides (using PowerPoint or another medium approved by the instructor) that simulates a professional development workshop. The presentation must be in current APA format.

(CLO: F, G, H)

Class Reflection and Future Goals

The candidate will use the provided template to complete a self-evaluation that addresses the lesson that he/she taught or created, reflects upon the class as a whole, and addresses future goals. The candidate must incorporate at least 3 resources and follow current APA format. Each resource must be no older than 5 years.

(CLO: D, G, H)