Elementary Education (K-6) Courses
The following course of study along with general college requirements and applied practice meet requirements for North Carolina initial licensure in grades K-6. Applied practice includes early field experiences assigned as part of the professional course sequence and student teaching. Students enrolled in EDUC 3102, 3103, 3104, 3105, 3106, and 3107 engage in extensive internship and mentoring experiences through the Catawba Overton Partnership for Excellence (COPE) program, a professional development partnership. All elementary education students who are considering North Carolina licensure are strongly encouraged to select HIST 2400 NC History as one of their electives. They are also strongly encouraged to select MATH 1132 Introduction to Statistics to fulfill the general education distribution. Students should note that MATH 1120 Survey of Mathematics I is required in the Elementary major and will fulfill 3 semester hours of general education requirements for Quantitative Literacy hours. A student majoring in Elementary Education may wish to consider dual licensure in Special Education and should consult with the Department of Teacher Education for additional information.
Required Courses
EDUC 2000
Intro to Teaching & Ed Tech
A study of teaching as a profession with emphasis on 21st Century skills, professional duties, policies, law and ethics, organizational structure, and student needs. Field experiences included.
EDUC 2105
Cultural Geography
A study of the regions of the earth, including their typical cultures.
EDUC 2161
Lit and Arts Integration
An introductory study of integration of literature for children and young adolescents and the arts (dance/movement, theatre/creative drama, music, and visual arts). Through this course, students will study children's literature and arts integration as a basis for providing engaging learning experiences, fostering a love of reading, and teaching content curriculum. Students will become familiar with the broad range of genres, authors, and illustrators in literature for children and young adolescents. Emphasis will be placed on exploring ways in which literature can be used across the curriculum in elementary and middle school classrooms, as well as on integrating the arts with the core content areas (reading/language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science).
EDUC 3100
Theories Teaching & Learning
A study of theories of teaching and learning and their relationship to instruction and assessment in public school settings. Prerequisite: Permission of the Teacher Education Council for students majoring or minoring in Teacher Education; Completion of EDUC 2000 and approval of instructor for students pursuing the Educational Studies minor.
EDUC 3101
Learning Env/Professional Prac
EDUC 3102
Elementary Methods Literacy I
This course provides a study of current programs, methods, and materials for teaching literacy with emphasis on the foundational skills of literacy to include phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics and word identification skills, fluency, and diagnosis and remediation of literacy difficulties, with the goal of preparing future educators to equitably teach diverse student populations. Field-based experiences are an integral part of the course. Prerequisite: Permission of the Teacher Education Council. Corequisites: EDUC 3104 and EDUC 3106.
EDUC 3103
Elementary Methods Literacy II
A continuation of the study of teaching literacy with an emphasis on language comprehension skills, to include fluency, vocabulary development, text comprehension strategies, and writing, with the goal of preparing future educators to equitably teach diverse student populations. Field-based experiences are an integral part of the course. Prerequisite: Permission of the Teacher Education Council. Corequisites: EDUC 3105 and EDUC 3107.
EDUC 3104
Elem Methods in Sci & Health
A study of teaching science and health in the elementary school, with an emphasis on inquiry-based approaches. Includes field experiences in area schools. Prerequisite: Permission of the Teacher Education Council. Corequisite: EDUC 3102 and EDUC 3106.
EDUC 3105
Elementary Methods Social Stu
A study of current programs, methods, and materials for teaching social studies in the elementary school with emphasis on the development of critical thinking in a democratic and global society. Field-based experiences are an integral part of the course. Prerequisite: Permission of the Teacher Education Council. Corequisite: EDUC 3103 and EDUC 3107.
EDUC 3106
Elementary Methods in Math I
A course in the methods of teaching mathematical concepts of number sense, numeration, numerical operations, patterns, relationships, functions, and algebraic thinking, with the goal of preparing future educators to equitably teach diverse populations. Prerequisite: Permission of the Teacher Education Council. Corequisites: EDUC 3102 and EDUC 3104.
EDUC 3107
Elementary Methods in Math II
A course in the methods of teaching mathematical concepts of spatial sense, measurement and geometry and data analysis, probability and statistics, with the goal of preparing future educators to equitably teach diverse student populations. Prerequisite: Permission of the Teacher Education Council. Corequisites: EDUC 3103 and EDUC 3105.
ENV 1511
Conceptual Integrated Sci/Env
A study of basic principles and concepts of integrated science as seen through the lens of the environment.
MATH 1120
Survey or Mathematics I
A broad study of number sense including set theory, logic, systems of numeration, number theory and the real number system, and basic algebra, graphs and functions. A student will not receive General Education credit in Math for both MATH 1120E and MATH
MATH 1121
Survey of Math II
A broad study of patterns in math, including systems of equations, the metric system, intuitive geometry, modular arithmetic, probability and statistics. This course is required of Elementary Education majors and Middle School Math majors.
PSYC 1500
Human Development
A survey of the important methods, theories, themes, issues and research findings in the field of lifespan developmental psychology.
PSYC 2940
Psychology of Exceptionalities
A survey of the characteristics, education, and social integration of people with physical, emotional, cultural, behavioral and/or cognitive exceptionalities. Prerequisite: PSYC 2500.
HIST 1776
Amer History & Cult Traditions
A basic survey of American history from colonial to contemporary times, focused on cultural disputes that have persisted from generation after generation.
*Student Teaching (12 hours)
*Permission of the Teacher Education Council required.
