Middle School Curriculum and Instruction – EDUC 412
CG • Section 8WK • 07/01/2018 to 12/31/2199 • Modified 12/12/2022
Course Description
This course is a study of the historical development and philosophical base of the middle school. It will emphasize the unique characteristics of the emerging adolescent and the prescriptive school concepts that will meet those needs. Community engagement required.
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.
Rationale
This course is designed to help educators gain a basic understanding of the nature of the middle school and to enable them to apply what they have learned in practice.
Course Assignment
Textbook readings and lecture presentations
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the candidate will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.
Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each forum. Each thread must be 250-300 words 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 150-200 words. (CLO: A, B, C, J, K, L, M, N, J, T, U)
The candidate will describe the historical foundations of middle school, specifically addressing the transition from a junior high model to a middle school model. (CLO D, E, F)
The candidate will create a profile of a middle school student. The profile should describe and analyze the growth of preadolescent learners in regard to physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and character development. (CLO: G, H, I, P)
The candidate will interview a middle school teacher or administrator. The candidate choose from provided questions and create original questions related to the structure of people and time. The candidate will summarize the interview and draw connections from research to practice. (CLO: A, J, K)
The candidate will identify and describe strategies for student engagement related to the classroom environment, cooperative learning, differentiation, critical thinking, and inquiry. (CLO: J, L, M, N)
The candidate will prepare one lesson. The lesson must be active with engaging activities appropriate for the middle grades and should demonstrate clear alignment among the objective, instruction, and assessment. (CLO: J, N, O, P)
The candidate will write a 3-5 page paper describing blended learning options for middle school students. The paper should address online learning and strategies for successful blended learning in the middle school classroom. (CLO: Q, R, S)
The candidates will take two quizzes to assess knowledge of the module content and specific applications of the content. (CLO: D, E, F, J, N, O, P)
