Education 440
EDUC 440
Teaching Grades 6-12
1. Catalog Entry
EDUC 440
Teaching Grades 6-12
Credit hours (3)
Prerequisites: EDUC 320; HUMD 300, and admission into Teacher Education
Corequisite: EDUC 441, EDRD 416, EDET 445, and EDSP 404
This course will introduce pre-service teachers to the requisite knowledge and skills for teaching social studies, mathematics, science or English in grades 6-12. This course is taught in conjunction with a field experience in grades 6-12 (EDUC 441).
2. Detailed Description of Course
1) Overview of Curricular Issues
a. Organization of K-12 curriculum
b. NCSS, NCTM, NSTA and NCTE themes and test practice
c. Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs)
2) Overview of the Learners
a. Concept of teaching adolescents
b. Philosophy of teaching adolescents
c. Characteristics of the adolescent learner
d. Diverse learners-cultural, ethnic and special needs
e. Differences in learning styles
3) Introduction to Basic Instructional Planning
a. Developmentally appropriate
b. Long term and short term planning goals
c. Matching learning styles to teaching methods
d. Writing lesson plans that provide for different learning styles
e. Delivering effective instruction for different learning styles
f. Writing lesson plans incorporating NCSS, NCTM, NSTA or NCTE themes
g. Role of assessment and evaluation
4) Implementation of Instruction
a. Selecting teaching strategies appropriate to the understanding of the content
b. Relating teaching strategies to learning styles
c. Handling special aspects in:
i. Social studies (e.g. controversial issues)
ii. Mathematics
iii. Science (to include safety in the classroom)
iv. English
d. Appropriate uses of technology in secondary classrooms
e. Classroom management, organization, and discipline
3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
EDUC 440 is taught primarily through discussion, case studies, practical applications, writing activities and readings. Additionally, it is taught in conjunction with an internship in an adolescent level environment. Students will be working with their supervising professor to develop lesson plans specific to their internship assignment, discussing issues related to their content area, and exploring issues which might arise while student teaching. They will examine the theories and research relevant to teaching in grades 6-12.
4. Goals and Objectives of the Course
1) National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education Standards
a. 1b Pedagogical Content Knowledge and Skills for Teacher Candidates
b. 1c Professional and Pedagogical Knowledge and Skills for Teacher Candidates
c. 1d Student Learning for Teacher Candidates
d. 1g Professional Dispositions for All Candidates
2) National Council for the Social Studies Pedagogical Standards 1-9 (NCSS)
3) National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
4) National Council of Teachers of Mathematics 6,7,8 (NCTM)
5) National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
6) Virginia Department of Education – Program Standards (8VAC 20-542-)
a. (330) History and Social Science Endorsement Competencies 3a, 3f, 4a, 4d,5 (VDOE-SS)
b. (280) Standards for the Professional Practice of Teachers in Specific Disciplines and
Specialized Areas: Teachers of English 1, 5, 6 (VDOE- English)
c. (370) Mathematics Endorsement Competencies 1, 4, 5, 7-11(VDOE-Math)
d. (410) Science-Biology, (420) Science-Chemistry, (430) Science-Earth Science, and (440)
Science-Physics.
7) Virginia Department of Education - Professional Studies 1, 2, 3 (VDOE-PS)
Having successfully completed this course, the student will with guidance and direction from university supervisor:
1) Non-subject specific objectives
a. Understand in theory how to respond appropriately to the developmental stages of diverse students in
grades 6-12.
i. NCATE 1c; NCSS-1, 4, 5, 6, 8; NTSA-Std. 2a, 2b, 2c, NCTE 1.0, 4.4; VDOE- SS-3; VDOE-PS-2, 3;
VDOE-Math 11
b. Plan and develop diverse lessons, which reflect Virginia Standards of Learning and national standards,
using methods tailored to promote student academic progress and use of effective preparation
resources.
i. NCATE 1b, 1c; NCSS-p-2, 3, 4, 5, 6; NSTA-Std. 1c, VDOE-SS-3c, d, e, f; 4-a, b, c, d; VDOE-PS-2;
NCSS Interdisciplinary Themes; NCTE 1.0, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5; VDOE-Math 1
c. Select and evaluate materials and resources and utilize appropriate technology in the planning of
lesson appropriate to all students including English language learners and exceptional students
including students with disabling conditions.
i. NCATE 1b, 1c; NCSS-p-1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8; NSTA – Std. 2a, 2b, and 2c; NCTE 1.0, 4.1, 4.6;
VDOE-SS-3c, d, e, f, 4a, b, c, d; VDOE-PS-2, VDOE-Math 8, 9; NCTM 6
d. Design performance assessment strategies that evaluate pupil performance
i. NCATE 1c; NCSS-p-3, 4, 5, 6, 7; NCTE 4.10;NSTA-Std. 3a, 3c, 5a, 5b, 5c; VDOE-SS-3e; 4a, c;
VDOE-PS-2;VDOE-Math 10
e. Understand the significance of the study of:
i. The various social sciences VDOE-SS-4c
ii. Major curriculum studies and trends in mathematics VDOE-Math 7
f. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship among assessment, instruction, and monitoring
student progress
i. NCATE 1c; NCSS-p-3, 4, 5, 6, 7; NSTA-Std. 3a, 3c, 5a, 5b, 5c; NCTE 4.10; VDOE-SS-3e; 4a, c;
VDOE-PS-2
g. Utilize information on how adolescents construct knowledge
i. NCATE – 1b, 1c; NCSS-p-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; NSTA Std. 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 5a; NCTE 1.0;
VDOE-SS-3c, d, e; 4-a, b, c, d; VDOE-PS-2, 3
h. Make informed decisions regarding membership in professional organizations
i. NCATE – 1-9; NSTA Std. 6a, 6b; NCSS-p-9; NCTE 2.3; VDOE-Eng. 6;
2) Objectives specific to English Education Program
a. Explain the rationale for and the history of teaching reading
i. NCATE-1b, 1c; NCTE 3.2, 3.3; IRA-1.5, 2.10, 2.13, 5.6; VDOE-PS-5; VDOE-English-5
b. Clarify the responsibility of the classroom teacher to facilitate reading
i. NCATE-1b, 1c; NCTE 3.1, 3.2, 3.3; IRA-5.1, 5.6; VDOE-PS-5; VDOE-English-5
c. Utilize the IRA/NCTE standards for the English Language Arts in developing instruction for teaching
literacy
i. NCATE 1b, 1c;
d. Plan, construct, and evaluate activities incorporating reading and study strategies for use in the content
areas
i.NCATE-1b; NCTE 3.1, 3.2, 3.3; IRA 5.4, 5.6; VDOE-PS-5; VDOE-English-5
e. Locate and apply pertinent theory, research, and best practice in developing instruction in teaching
reading
i. NCATE-1b, 1c; NCTE 3.1, 3.2, 3.3; IRA Competencies: 2.11, 11.5, 14.1; VDOE-PS-2, 5; VDOE
English-5
f. Develop informal and formal literacy assessment devices for use in the English classroom
i. NCATE 1c; NCTE 4.10; IRA 10.1, 10.2; VDOE-PS-4, 5; VDOE-English-5
3) Objectives specific to Mathematics Education Program
a. Understanding of the connections among mathematical concepts and procedures and their practical
applications
i. VDOE-Math 4
b. Understanding of and the ability to use the five processes – becoming mathematical problem solvers,
reasoning mathematically, communicating mathematically, making mathematical connections, and
using mathematical representations – at different levels of complexity
i. VDOE-Math 5
4) Objectives specific to Social Studies Education Program
a. Understanding the connection between the ten NCSS themes and their practical application in teaching
i. NCSS 3A, 4A
ii. VDOE-History and Social Sciences 1a, b, c, d; 2a-j; 3
b. Be able to explain and interpret for students major historical, political, geographic, and economic
concepts which impact society.
i. NCSS 3A, 4A, 4D
ii. VDOE-History and Social Sciences 3 1-f; 4a-d
c. Plan, construct and evaluate student centered lessons using NCSS themes
i. NCSS 3F, 4A, 5
ii. VDOE-History and Social Sciences 2a-j; 3a-f; 4a-d
5) Objectives specific to Science Education Program
a. Understanding of the knowledge, skills, and processes of the four core science disciplines as defined in
the Virginia Science Standards of Learning and how these provide a sound foundation for teaching
i. Biology VDOE BIO 2
ii. Chemistry VDOE CHEM 2
iii.Earth Science VDOE ES 2
iv. Physics VDOE PHYS 2
b. Design activities in a 6-12 classroom that demonstrate the safe and proper techniques for the
preparation, storage, dispensing, supervision, and disposal of all materials used within their subject
science instruction
i. VDOE-BIO, CHEM, ES, PHYS 3c
c. Adapt instruction to diverse learners using a variety of techniques
i. VDOE-BIO, CHEM, ES, PHYS 3e
d. Design and demonstrate activities in a 6-12 classroom that demonstrates an ability to implement
emergency procedures and the maintenance of safety equipment, policies and procedures and the
maintenance of safety equipment, policies, and procedures that comply with established state
and/or national guidelines. Candidates ensure safe science activities for the abilities of all
students
i. VDOE-BIO, CHEM, ES, PHYS 3d
e. Design and demonstrate activities in 6-12 classroom that demonstrate ethical decision making with
the respect to the treatment of all living organisms in and out of the classroom. They emphasize
safe, humane, and ethical treatment of animals and comply with the legal restrictions on the
collection, keeping, and use of living organisms.
5. Assessment Measures
1) Papers: Students will write short papers examining and exploring issue sin teaching and evaluating their
early field experience.
2) NCATE Performance Assessment Lesson Plans: Students will develop and evaluate lessons
incorporating appropriate content themes
3) Other types of activities appropriate to the specific content areas
4) Peer Teaching
5) Professional disposition form
6. Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
April 23, 2014