Elementary Education

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College of Education

See more information, faculty, and suggested programs of study under Early Childhood Education

Stroud Hall, Room 209

570-422-3356

www.esu.edu/eled

The four-year programs in Elementary Education are designed to offer students a curriculum of general education and professional and elementary education theory, application, and practice in teaching children in grades K through six. The curriculum is designed to develop a community of learners who are competent and reflective professionals able to teach any child in any setting.

The courses and extensive field based component develops beginning educator's knowledge, skills, and dispositions relevant to content, the learner and the learning environment, teaching and learning process, and professionalism.

Graduates of the ELED major will be certified to teach in kindergarten to grade six or in a middle school, the ELED/ECED dual major will be certified N-3rd and K-grade 6, the ELED/SPED integrated major will be certified K through 6 in ELED and K through 12 in special education within the schools of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Changes made at the State certification level may impact the following requirements.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has made some recent changes in teacher certification requirements. Anyone applying for teacher certification after December 31, 2012 will be subject to different program and certification requirements. These requirements will be published pending approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

ALL teacher education students should be in frequent consultation with their academic advisors to make sure they are meeting the appropriate program and certification requirements which will vary depending on a variety of circumstances.

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education Major*

  • 57 semester hours plus 12 concentration credits

    • Required General Education courses: English 103 and an English Literature course, MATH105 (a grade of "C" or higher is required) and another three credits of Mathematics
    • Required Professional Education courses: PSED 161, PSED 242, SPED 105, MCOM 262
    • Required major courses: ELED 132, 264 (PRAXIS I required)
    • Apprentice I courses: ELED 342, 343,346, 351
    • Apprentice II semester in a PDS cohort: ELED 311, 344, 345, REED 313 SPED 351 (optional)
    • Resident Student teaching semester: ELED 430
    • Required concentration: Student selects a minimum of twelve semester hours of in-depth work in an academic field of study or an approved interdisciplinary field as outlined in the ECED/ELED Concentration Handbook.
    • Additional Requirements:
      • 3.0 GPA for admittance to the Department;
      • 3.0 GPA overall for eligibility for Student Teaching;
      • 3.0 GPA in major for Student Teaching

    *Program will no longer be available for new students as certification ends 12/31/2012.

Bachelor of Science - Dual Early Childhood and Elementary Education Major*

  • 84 credits

    *Program will no longer be available for new students as certification ends 12/31/2012.

Bachelor of Science - Integrated Elementary Education and Special Education Major*

  • 77 credits

    *Program will no longer be available for new students as certification ends 12/31/2012.

    Department Admission

    The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has established specific requirements for all candidates in teacher preparation programs. For admission into the initial teacher certification program, students are required to have a 3.0 QPA, pass the Praxis I academic skills assessments prior to taking ELED 264 or ECED 262, and complete 6 credits of math (Math 105 grade of "C" or higher and another 3 credits of Math) and 6 credits of English (English Composition and Literature course) along with various clearances.

    Please refer to the College of Educations section in this catalog for specific requirements for admission into teacher education. Majors in Elementary Education or Integrated ELED/SPED majors should meet regularly with their academic adviser so they are oriented to their major program and the requirements and procedures for admission into each program.

    Students must be admitted into the department prior to taking any 300 or 400 level major courses. A description of the Admittance process is available in the department office. Specific transfer credits are evaluated by the department chair for equivalent university courses.

    Experiences in the Field

    There are multiple opportunities throughout each program to gain experience in early childhood, elementary education, and middle school classrooms including urban and inclusive settings. These various field experiences are connected to courses and are an integral, required part of the respective programs. Two unique opportunities are listed below.

    Professional Development Schools (PDS)

    The Professional Development School Apprenticeship is taken the semester prior to the Resident student teaching semester. The Apprentice II cohort semester in a Professional Development School integrates five courses (ELED 311, 344, 345, REED 313, SPED 315) along with weekly fieldwork in an elementary classroom and involvement in a professional learning community. For more information see your academic adviser or contact the Office of Field Experiences and Partnerships at 570-422-3471.

    Student Professional Program

    The program offers a full year of field experience in early childhood and elementary schools. (Refer to ELED 497 and ELED 498 Student Professional Programs at the end of the course descriptions.)

    Resident Student Teaching

    A full semester of student teaching is required for certification in ELED. Passing scores for the Praxis II Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge test must be submitted to your adviser by July 31 for Fall Student Teaching candidates; November 30 for Spring Student Teaching candidates In order to be approved for student teaching. Students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA overall and in their major prior to student teaching and for certification in the State of Pennsylvania.

Elementary Education Course Descriptions

  • Credits in semester hours, classroom work, and laboratory or fieldwork are indicated by three numbers in parentheses immediately following the course title.

  • ELED 100 Success Oriented Education (1)

    • This course is designed to prepare students majoring in Education to meet successfully the challenges of academic life.

  • ELED 132 Child Growth and Development (3)

    • This course presents the development of the child from conception through pre-adolescence, interaction between heredity and environment, parent-child relations, development and stabilization of the personality, attitudes toward self and others — physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Completion of ENGL 103 is recommended. This course is a prerequisite to all methods courses.

  • ELED 264 Principles and Practices of Teaching (3)

    • This course advances the ESU Educators: Reflective and Deliberate Decision-Makers conceptual framework. This course explores current research and practice related to the learner and the learning environment, the teaching and learning process, content, and professionalism including planning, organization, management, instructional strategies, evaluation, and assessment. Opportunities for field experiences in diverse school settings are included. The beginning educator portfolio is begun in this course. Prerequisites: PRAXIS I, ELED 132. Corequisites: PSED 161, 242.

  • ELED 290 Special Topics (Semester hours arranged)

    • Courses designed to meet specific needs of groups of students or offered on a trial basis in order to determine the demand for and the value of introducing them as a part of the university curriculum.

  • ELED 311 Art in Childhood Education (3)

    • This course examines the unique role of the visual arts and art standards in education, learning and development. Weekly field experiences in a Professional Development School will emphasize the course content and instructional theories to teaching. Artistic literacy and behaviors are developed along with the teaching competencies to organize, assess and integrate the visual arts into the curriculum. Prerequisites: ELED 132, 264 and department admittance.

  • ELED 342 Language Arts in Childhood Education (3)

    • This course is designed to familiarize students with the theoretical constructs, standards, and the methods and materials for teaching language arts in the elementary school. Through hands-on experiences students will explore ways to effectively plan, assess and implement language arts experiences and integrate them throughout the curriculum. Prerequisites: ELED 132, 264 and admittance to department.

  • ELED 343 Mathematics in Childhood Education (3)

    • This course places emphasis on how theory and research shape practice in mathematics education. Additional emphasis will be placed on a variety of teaching techniques and assessment methods and how they can be integrated in a mathematics program. Course participants will also become familiar with the use of technology and how to integrate it appropriately in an elementary mathematics program. Prerequisites: ELED 132, 264; MATH 105; and admittance to department.

  • ELED 344 Science in Childhood Education (3)

    • This course engages students in developing their understandings of concepts, standards, methods, and materials for teaching science in elementary schools. The primary focus is on the use of inquiry and activity-based methods. Weekly field experience in a Professional Development School will emphasize the application of course content and instructional theories to teaching. Prerequisites: ELED 132, 264 and department admittance.

  • ELED 345 Social Studies in Childhood Education (3)

    • This course engages students in the use of standards, methods, and materials for teaching social studies in the elementary school. Weekly field experiences in a Professional Development School will emphasize the application of course content and instructional theories to teaching. Students will develop knowledge and skill in planning, selecting teaching strategies, integrating curriculum, and implementing instruction. Students will be expected to engage in productive self-reflection. Prerequisites: ELED 132, 264 and department admittance.

  • ELED 346 Children's Literature (3)

    • This course studies the great variety of literature available for children and the literary materials of more recent times, which have been written expressly for children. The course offers varied ways to get children interested in books for their appropriate reading levels and interests. Implementation of Children's Literature into the elementary curriculum will be stressed. Prerequisites: ELED 132, 264 and admittance to department.

  • ELED 350 Middle School Methods (3)

    • This course deals with the study and application of curriculum, integration of curriculum, and the middle school philosophy. Student will use state/national standards, lesson planning fundamentals, and a variety of models of teaching to develop and implement lessons and units. THe focus is on the curriculum and the pedagogy of language arts, social studies, and the creative arts in a culturally responsive manner. Students will be developing the necessary skills to teach the curriculum at the middle school level. This course includes a required weekly field experience in a self contained 4-6 placement.. Prerequisites: PSED 150, PSED 250, PSED 244, SPED 350. Concurrent registration in REED 311 is required.

  • ELED 351 Music in Childhood Education (3)

    • This course introduces the student to the importance of music in the elementary school curriculum. It focuses on establishing a role for the classroom teacher in fostering children's growth through music and providing the prospective teacher with musical understanding and skills for developing student-centered learning environments through music. Emphasis is on the encouragement of creative teaching of all content through the integration of music into the total elementary curriculum. Strategies for facilitation of music experiences to meet the needs of culturally and academically diverse students are included. Prerequisites: ELED 132, 264 and admittance to department.

  • ELED 356 Urban Education and Classroom Diversity (3)

    • This course will give students the opportunity to learn about teaching in an urban setting. Students will be provided with a strong theoretical knowledge base and practical field experience in order to prepare them to teach in a variety of settings. Students will explore their own beliefs and attitudes as it relates to diversity in the classroom. Prerequisites: ELED 132 and ELED 264 or PSED 161 or PSED 242.

  • ELED 415 Individualizing Instruction in Elementary Education (3)

    • This course examines the process of individualizing instruction and strategies, which lend to its development. Students will work on individualized projects, which will help them meet their goals. Although emphasis is placed on elementary education, some topics will apply on a K-12 basis. Prerequisites: ELED 132; PSED 242.

  • ELED 424 Teaching English Language Learners in the Diverse Classroom Setting (3)

    • This course provides the understanding for and appreciation of linguistic and cultural diversity, and enhances the knowledge and skills of teachers working with culturally and linguistically diverse students in the classroom. The areas of emphasis include: a) the legal, historical, and cultural implications of ELLs in the mainstream classroom and differences among home and school cultures, especially as they relate to language; b) a brief overview of first and second language acquisition theories; c) developmentally appropriate teaching strategies to enhance English language proficiency and academic success of ELLs; and d) Pennsylvania standards and the Pennsylvania ELL assessment systems. Prerequisites: ECED 232, ECED 263, and Program Admittance (ECED or ELED Majors). PSED 150, PSED 250 and Program Admittance (PSED Majors); PSED 516, PSED 510, and Program Admittance (Graduate Students).

  • ELED 427 Second Language Acquisition: Theories for ESL Teachers (3)

    • This course focuses on historical and current theories of second language acquisition and development for the Pre K-12 limited-English student. Topics addressed include cognitive, psychological, sociocultural, and political factors for second language learners, content area instruction, models of bilingual education, assessment options, and technology resources. Prerequisites: ELED 132; ELED 264 and department admittance.

  • ELED 428 Linguistics for ESL Teachers (3)

    • This course focuses on linguistics for ESL teachers and their students, covering phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. Additional emphasis is given to sociocultural linguistics and language contact. Connections to classroom applications are explored, with a review of idiosyncratic elements of English grammar as they pertain to second language learning. Prerequisites: ELED 132 and ELED 264.

  • ELED 429 Methods and Materials for Teaching ESL (3)

    • This course focuses on pedagogical techniques, tools, resources and activities that can enable Pre K-12 ESL students to improve their proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Participants learn to plan methods and materials for the ESL classroom creating various activities and assessments and incorporating technology when appropriate. Communication about the purpose of ESL education to colleagues, parents and community is also covered. This class requires a field experience working with students acquiring English as their second language. Prerequisites: ELED 132; ELED 264 and department admittance.

  • ELED 430 Student Teaching in Elementary Education (6)

    • This course includes a semester of guided teaching in elementary schools and an accompanying on-campus seminar. This field experience is designed to provide the student teacher with the opportunity to develop further competencies and an understanding of the teaching-learning process necessary for effective teaching in the elementary schools. Prerequisites: Students must have Departmental approval which is obtained when all requirements described under the Student Teaching section on of this catalog have been completed. In addition to these requirements, elementary education majors must satisfy the following prerequisites: admission to the teacher education program; completion of all elementary education major courses with no grade lower than a "C"; passing score on Praxis II (0511) - Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge; Act 34 and/or FBI clearance and Act 151. Students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA overall and in major prior to graduation from ESU to be certified in the State of Pennsylvania.

  • ELED 431 Student Teaching in Middle Level Education (6)

    • This course includes a quarter of guided teaching in a middle level setting, self-contained 4th, 5th or 6th grade classroom. This clinical experience is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to develop further competencies and an understanding of the teaching-learning process necessary for effective teaching in the self-contained middle level setting. Prerequisites: Students must have Departmental approval which is obtained when all requirements for student teaching have been met including: Admission to the teacher education program; completion of all Middle Level major courses with no grade lower than a "C"; passing the appropriate Praxis II: Fundamental Subjects Content Knowledge test; Act 34, Act 151, and Act 114 (FBI) clearances; negative TB test. Students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA prior to graduation from ESU to be certified in the State of Pennsylvania.

  • ELED 444 International Collaborative Learning Project (1-3)

    • This course enables students to participate in unique learning events in a foreign country. Students will have the opportunity to experience different styles in teaching and learning, how reflective teaching practice can become an integral part of the teaching process, and how teacher education reform occurs in different contexts through seminars and observations. The class will deal with exploring differences and similarities between cultures and philosophies. Pre-requisites: Permission of instructor.

  • ELED 450 Seminar in Middle School Methods (3)

    • This course addresses inquiry teaching and middle school philosophy. Students will build on the knowledge gained in ELED 350 of state/national standards, a variety of models of teaching, and lesson planning to create lessons and units at a deeper level. The focus is on the curriculum and inquiry pedagogy of mathematics and science. In addition, there will be differentiated, individualized focus on the student's chosen area of academic concentration. This course includes an intensive weekly field experience in two placements, one in a self-contained 4th, 5th or 6th grade classroom and a departmentalized 7th, or 8th grade middle school setting. Prerequisites: PSED 150, PSED 250, PSED 244, SPED 350 and ELED 350. Concurrent registration with the following courses is required: SPED 351, ENGL 412, REED 350.

  • ELED 485 Independent Study (Semester hours arranged)

    • This course consists of directed research and study on an individual basis.

  • ELED 497 and 498 Student Professional Program (12) and (13)

    • Designed as another route to teacher certification, the program offers a full year of field experience in elementary and middle schools. Student professionals in the program are assigned to schools as full-time interns and in addition participate in group seminars, field trips, and a program of various assignments planned in cooperation with the program coordinator. Prerequisites: A 3.0 QPA; completion of General Education requirements; completion of all methods courses required of Elementary Education majors with no grade lower than a "C," approval of the Elementary Education Department; Act 34 and/or FBI clearance and Act 151. This course satisfies the area of concentration requirement. It is also possible for students who have satisfied the coursework requirements in another certification to obtain dual certification with the Student Professional year.