205
2012-2013
Education
characteristics of young learners, and to incorporate their understanding into aspects of early childhood settings, including classroom design, scheduling, assessment/ evaluation, and teaching styles. The study of curricular methods is the central theme. This class requires a field experience. ECE 307. Foundations of Language Arts Instruction-Pre-K-4 3 credits This course is an introduction to planning and implementing classroom instruction in the area of the six language arts: listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and visually representing as a means of communication. Teacher candidates learn to write objectives, select appropriate strategies and media, choose age-appropriate materials and manage instruction and evaluation for Pre-K-4 students. This class requires a field experience. ECE 405. Instructional Strategies for Teaching Reading -Pre-K-4 3 credits This course offers the opportunity for teacher candidates to learn various reading strategies when helping students to read effectively. Teacher candidates examine various strategies that enhance students’ word recognition and comprehension skills. They also learn to select age-appropriate materials, design lessons and mini-lessons used for reading and writing intervention, and use reading software that provides strategy practice. This class requires a field experience. ECE 406. Early Math Foundations Pre-K-4 3 credits This course is a study of concepts and effective teaching strategies in early childhood mathematics Pre-K-4. Curriculum, teaching, learning, assessment and technology will be addressed. Teacher candidates will become experts in mathematics concepts and apply those best practices in the classroom. This class requires a field experience. ECE 407. Social Studies Methods Pre-K-4 3 credits This course uses an interdisciplinary approach to the teaching of social studies in an early childhood program. Methods to teach the skills used by social scientists to analyze and evaluate human behavior will be adapted for use with children Pre-K-4. This class requires a field experience. ECE 408. Science Methods Pre-K-4 3 credits This course emphasizes the study of teaching models and instructional practices. The development and design of processed based activities for the teacher of early childhood science is examined. The investigation of scientific attitudes and inquiry, problem-solving, creative and critical thinking skills necessary for effective early childhood level science instruction occurs. This class requires a field experience. ECE 495. Special Topics 3 credits Topics reflective of current theories and practices in early childhood education will be decided upon at the time the student chooses to do a special topics course. ECE 497. Independent Study 1-6 credits Independent research on current problems in the field of early childhood and/or specific field experiences. No more than six credits in this sequence of courses may count toward a major or a baccalaureate degree. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. ECSPE 409. Early Childhood/Special Education Student Teaching 12 credits Student teaching in grade PreK-4 under the sponsorship of a certified teacher with supervision shared by host teacher and Waynesburg University faculty. Pass-Fail grade. Prerequisite: Final approval of the Education Department. ECSPE 415. Early Childhood/Special Education Student Teaching Seminar 2 credits This course will reflect contemporary issues ad initiatives a beginning teacher will face. These issues and initiatives will include, but not be limited to, planning and preparation, classroom environment, instructional delivery, professional conduct, assessment, knowledge of diverse learners, certification, and professional portfolio development. The course will be taken concurrently with ECSPE 409.