Education
Education
Program Purpose: The Elementary Teacher Education program is designed for students who aspire to become elementary or special education teachers, and offers a breadth of study across disciplines. Elementary Teacher Education incorporates subject matter that prepares students to teach elementary education level subjects including science, mathematics, literature, history, geography and the arts. Elementary Teacher Education coursework will also introduce theories of education and child development, as well as provide an early field experience. Students who complete these interdisciplinary courses will be able to:
- demonstrate college-level skills in written English, oral communications, math, and critical thinking;
- demonstrate a basic grasp of the disciplines most commonly taught in elementary schools in California, including physical science, biology, art, literature in a cultural or geographic context, world geography, United States history, and United States government;
- demonstrate a basic grasp of child growth and development.
Career Information
Due to the varying certification requirements in the education field, students are advised to consult with a Child Development/Education faculty member prior to finalizing their Student Education Plans.
For additional coursework to prepare for careers with elementary-aged children, particularly in transitional kindergarten through second grade, please see courses in the Child Development section of this catalog.
Introduces the concepts and issues related to teaching. In addition to class time, the course requires a minimum of 45 hours of structured fieldwork in public school elementary classrooms that represent California’s diverse student population and includes cooperation with at least one carefully selected and campus-approved certificated classroom teacher.
Presents theoretical foundations and practices for designing art curricula that reflect P-12 educational state standards and common core standards. Emphasizes the creation of hands-on artistic projects, the importance of art in the child's development, and the understanding of multicultural art traditions in subject matter, materials, and processes. Provides opportunities for students to gain basic art skills, understand the creative process, and investigate the critique process. Examines supportive environments and selecting materials and experiences appropriate to individual children. Examines historical contexts and indigenous aesthetics as they relate to the development of primary skills and appreciation for art and the creative process.
Provides an understanding of learning and teaching literacy in a diverse, technologically complex society. Focuses on providing students with knowledge of a comprehensive balanced literacy approach. Includes an understanding and use of the major descriptors of developing literacy, appropriate assessment methods and instruments, and a developmental and analytical appreciation for writing strategies, conventions, applications, and interpretation of texts and genres.
Provides on-the-job learning to develop effective work habits, attitudes, and career awareness in paid or unpaid internships that are related to the discipline. Involves the development and documentation of learning objectives and the completion of an internship paper, presentation, or project. Includes both workplace supervisor and faculty adviser feedback and/or written evaluations. Course Credit Limitation: To take this course, contact the Career Transfer Center. Requires orientation session. Students receive one unit of credit for each 60 hours unpaid or 75 hours paid work. May enroll in up to 4 units a semester with a maximum of 16 total units of any type of work experience.