In this seminar with practicum, students develop curriculum along with assessment strategies for working with primary grade children. Work is based on the developmental needs, conceptual understandings, and skills appropriate for children at different ages in the areas of math, science, social studies, the arts, and literacy. Through their seven hours per week practicum in a primary classroom, students examine children's construction of knowledge. Focus is placed on the role of the teacher in the classroom in promoting development. Permission of Program Director required.
Students spend two full days a week in a primary classroom carrying out a range of responsibilities.
Five weeks of full-time responsibilities are also scheduled with the support of the Director of Undergraduate Education. The class meeting continues to support students in relating theory and practice, as well as developing effective methods for working with young children and their families. Permission of Program Director required. Students consider role of the arts in development of children, and in their own development as preservice teachers. Students develop individual products to represent their understandings.