Each discipline emphasizes particular questions, organizing constructs of symbolization systems, and methods of inquiry which will be examined in terms of their importance in selecting curriculum materials and activities that maximize individual learners skill and intellectual development. Explores language and mathematical thinking as tools of inquiry that build throughout the elementary grades and are increasingly integrated in other domains to understand and interpret the world. Analyzes connections between observation and assessment of children s mathematical or language skills and various instructional strategies. Tackling the Challenges 3 cr. Offers an overview of inclusion, including an introduction to the history, philosophy, and definitions of inclusion.
Students examine models of inclusion through texts, videos, and site visits.
As Researcher 3 cr. Offers students opportunities to design and implement a research project to answer questions they have about the teaching and learning process in their classrooms and schools. Students will review and compare a number of teacher research projects and examine the concept and practice of teacher research as a strategy to build collaboration in schools and strengthen the professional role of teachers particularly in program evaluation and assessment. Students focus on selection criteria, explore literary theme and genre from diverse perspectives, develop instructional strategies that promote literacy development and respect cultural diversity in classroom settings, and discover multicultural literature resources within the community. By providing an inclusive instructional framework, the course enables students to design experiences that will foster an understanding of diversity and an appreciation for multicultural literature within their own classrooms.