EDME 432: Middle Level Teacher Assistant Program
Prerequisites: Admission to Teacher Education Program and a minimum 2.5 GPA
Credit Hours: (6) Fifteen hours laboratory per week
This experience involves a placement with a middle school interdisciplinary team and the completion of fifteen clinical hours weekly. Students also attend a one hour seminar each week to facilitate the integration of field experience and coursework. Students complete a minimum of 225 hours of field experience.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The Junior Clinical Experience provides an intensive clinical placement at a middle school site. In conjunction with their studies, students have opportunities to observe and work with early adolescents, to examine middle level organization, to participate on an interdisciplinary team and to examine content concepts and skills. Structured experiences and seminar topics include:
1. Middle Level Learners (ages 10-14)
2. Working with Exceptional Learners
3. Collecting and Interpreting Data on Students
4. Identifying and Examining Classroom Resources
5. Lesson Planning
6. Using Multiple Media Sources
7. Building Relationships With Colleagues, Students and Parents
8. Observing Instructional Strategies
9. Participating in a Advisor/Advisee Program
10. Recognizing and Understand Cultural Differences
11. Understanding School, Divisional and State Policies
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
EDME 432 brings university faculty, preservice teachers and mentor teachers into a dialogue about students and teaching and learning. The school site and the university classroom become places for sharing expertise, examining beliefs and practices and reflecting on professional issues. During the experience, the preservice teacher maintains a daily log and later draws from this in developing a professional portfolio. Seminars are used for reflecting on practice, collaborating with resource speakers and teaching micro lessons.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Having successfully completed this course, the student will be able to:
1. Articulate a personal philosophy in regard to students, learning and professional practices.
2. Demonstrate interpersonal skills in working in a school setting with students, teachers, administrators and university faculty.
3. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
4. Draw from knowledge developed in professional courses to plan appropriately for middle level students.
5. Engage in inquiry as a self-directed learner.
Assessment Measures
1. Seminar attendance and school attendance are indicators of commitment.
2. Writing Tasks: Student logs will be examined every two weeks to provide feedback and support.
3. Other tasks will be assessed through the professional courses.
4. Students will receive a P or F as a final grade.
Other Course Information
The course provides an opportunity to involve all cohort members in the field experience through the weekly seminar.
Review and Approval
August 14, 2006 Reviewed Dr. Elizabeth D. Dore, Coordinator
