Elementary and Special Education, Liberal Studies

Offers a direct instructional field experience in an assigned area elementary public school for three weeks, all day. Includes instruction in school organization, curriculum, characteristics and diverse needs of children, and issues in teaching and learning. Classroom observation and participation seminars. [ 3 credits ]

Provides prospective classroom teacher swith opportunities for planning, designing and producing projects that support the instructional needs of students in grades K-12, including best practices for the integration of technology into curriculum with state and national technology standards. Students complete a variety of projects to develop skills in word processing, Web page development, computer presentations and other technolgies. For education majors only. [ 3 credits ]

Assists participants in selecting and evaluating materials for teaching reading and developing related skills that are consistent with the findings of scientifically based reading research. Strengthens understanding of research-supported programs, approaches and methods to address different levels of reading proficiency within the classroom and thereby enable all students (G&T, ELL, Special Needs, etc) to become strategic, fluent and independent readers. Participants will use a variety of texts and other materials to promote independent reading. Participants will be prepared to involve parents and members of the school and community to promote daily reading inside and outside of school. Throughout the course, participants will apply key concepts to various group and individual tasks and projects, including discussions and simulations. NOTE: Students cannot receive credit for both EDU-103 and EDU-303. [3 credits]

Provides a conceptual and analytical approach to teaching and learning social studies in the elementary school. Emphasis on integration of content and process through use of experimental, activity and inquiry approaches to meet the needs of diverse learners. Includes information related to selecting instructional resources, developing curriculum materials and integrating concepts, skills and values. Requires construction of learning materials and peer teaching. [4 credits]

Increases the participant's familiarity with a representative array of research-based instructional techniques and strategies in reading. Participants will learn age-appropriate instructional routines and strategies in the five major components of reading instruction (phonological and phonemic awareness; phonics, spelling and word study; fluency development; vocabulary; and comprehension). Throughout the course candidates will demonstrate their knowledge of the instructional routines and strategies by role-play, live demonstration, critiquing models, using the Common Core Reading Standards and reviewing the research in support of those approaches. [3 credits]

Integrates mathematical concepts with the methods employed to teach mathematics in the elementary school. Emphasis on National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards and implementation of the Common Core Mathematics standards in instruction. Focus on a hands-on approach using manipulatives. Includes preparation of lesson plans and microteaching experiences. [4 credits]

Integration of basic concepts of physical, life, earth and space sciences. Emphasis on discovery of concepts through demonstrations and investigations. Addresses the three domains of
science education: knowledge, skills and attitudes. Attention given to National Standards, the Common Core Science Standards and the use of indicators in planning, instruction and assessing. Includes preparation of a science unit and microteaching experience. Permission required. [4 credits]

Presents curriculum, methods and materials for early childhood programs, preschool through primary grades. Family and community involvement strategies. Instruction in planning, implementation and assessment of interdisciplinary activities to stimulate cognitive, linguistic, social and motor development to meet the diverse needs of learners. [4 credits]

Explores selected aspects of human development related to learning and instruction. Major psychological concepts and learning theories will be examined and applied to the context of eduction. Emphasis will be placed on understanding cognitive and affective domains of development as well as behavior management, motivation, individual differences in learning and instructional practices. Includes reflection, classroom activities, educational philosophy and classroom instruction. [ 3 credits ]

Equips mainstream classroom teachers with the knowledge and skills required to address the linguistic needs of students whose language is one other than English. After reviewing recent demographic trends and legal mandates as they pertain to English Language Learners (ELLs) in public schools, this course analyzes factors that influence the challenges of ELLs in K-12, including prior education, first language literacy skills, English proficiency, and cultural issues. Special emphasis will be placed on the linguistic demands of the K-12 curriculum and effective pedagogical approaches for ELLs. [ 3 credits ]

Assists pre-service and in-service teachers in understanding the reading acquisition process through observation and analysis of reading and written language development. The course is organized around current, accepted, research-based theoretical models that account for individual differences in reading. Introduction to language structure including spoken syllables, phonemes, graphemes and morphemes is included. Using current research-based strategies, participants will apply knowledge of the core areas of language to reading acquisition in terms of first and second language acquisition, typical development, gifted and talented and other exceptionalities. Throughout the course, candidates will demonstrate their knowledge of concepts and skills through a variety of tasks such as assessing their ability to identify linguistic units, observations of students and analysis of student work, and presentations of research summaries. NOTE: Students cannot receive credit for both EDU-207 and EDU-357. [3 credits]

This course is designed for education students going through their internship. It prepares them for the submission of the required national teaching portfolio. Students are mentored through the process by School of Education faculty mentors. [ variable credit 1-3 ]

Surveys major developments in the history of American education from colonial times to the present. Examines influential persons, ideas and institutions in the context of American society. Education and public policy, legal issues, priorities and innovations in American education reviewed from a critical perspective. [3 credits]

Provides full-time observation and supervised internship experiences in diverse Baltimore area professional development schools. Seminars on various topics in education such as analysis of teaching in elementary schools, school and family relationships, and interviewing and employment practices. Permission required. Teaching internship fee required. [5-11 credits] NOTE: Student Teaching Internships may start earlier than the official term start dates. Please refer to the information received at the internship orientation or contact the Education Department.

Provides students with a background in assessment and its relationship to instruction. Students will learn about the variety of assessments available to the classroom teacher in the areas of reading and writing and how to administer, score and interpret the results of these various assessments. Instructional decisions regarding the educational program of the child, and his/her diverse needs will also be examined. [3 credits] NOTE: Please refer to cohort schedule. Additional clas times may meet in previous semester.

Provides the student with methods to facilitate the teaching of students with diverse learning needs. Course content includes cognitive processing, classroom management and organization strategies. Models of instructional delivery, adaptation of instructional materials, strategy instruction and means of assessing student progress are explored. Current trends and issues in special education are included as well. [3 credits]

Includes brief history as well as legal foundations of current special education models and practices. Explores characteristics of students with disabilities as well as at-risk populations in general education. Addresses the responsibilities of educators, exploring generic strategies for programming for special needs students in the general education classroom, including the Common Core Standards. Required for all Maryland teachers. [3 credits]

Addresses human relations, communication and informal counseling skills and their critical role in meeting the diverse needs of students with disabilities. Explores role of the special
educator as a member of an interdisciplinary team. Includes research on parent/teacher attitudes, roles and responsibilities. Presents models and techniques for effective interface with parents as well as other professionals encountered in the process of holistic programming. Additional topics include parent training, advocacy, multicultural considerations and accessing community services. [3 credits]

NOTE: Students cannot receive credit for both SPE-237 and SPE-337.

Introduces diagnostic processes used in special education. Includes student-conducted informal and formal assessments as well as analysis, interpretation and presentation of test results.
Covers prescriptive techniques and instructional planning as well as current trends in student assessment. Addresses P.L. 94-142, COMAR and other related legislation. [3 credits]

Provides supervised classroom observation and participation in special education in a Baltimore area school. Assigned by the education department in cooperation with local school systems. Permission required. (Offered in Winterim.) [ 3 credits ]

Applies principles for adapting curriculum to special needs students at the elementary level. Includes analysis of diagnostic and developmental factors, goal setting and IEP formulation. Explores instructional strategies, identification of materials and resources, and evaluation techniques as they relate to the basic content areas and the Common Core Standards. Prerequisites: SPE-326. Permission required. [2 credits]

Provides student with opportunities for full-time supervised teaching in a special education program in diverse Baltimore area schools. Permission required. Teaching internship fee required. [5 credits] NOTE: Student Teaching Internships may start earlier than the official term start dates. Please refer to the information received at the internship orientation or contact the Education Department.