Elementary Education (B.A.)
Courses
ED 310 Introduction to Consciousness-Based Education
This course examines the fundamental goals, principles, and practices of Consciousness-Based education as developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Students are introduced to Maharishi’s Science of Creative Intelligence and Principles of Teaching as innovations in the field of education. As a context for these principles and practices, students also examine the history and current organization of the American system of education. (4 credits)
ED 320 Understanding Learning and Development in Children: How Pure Intelligence Comes to Know Itself through the Child’s Developing Nervous System
This course has two parts: the first deals with theories of human development; the second deals with theories of learning. The first part of the course looks at theories of both cognitive and affective development and deals with topics such as factors influencing development, endpoints of development, and the nature of intelligence. The second part of the course focuses both on cognitive and behavioral views of learning. Topics include classical and operant conditioning, social learning, information processing, problem solving, creativity, and constructivism. (4 credits) Prerequisite: STC 108/109
ED 326 Teaching Diverse Learners: Promoting Total Brain Functioning While Upholding the Diversity of Creation
This course introduces the learning characteristics of gifted and handicapped students, and explores strategies and practices that elementary and secondary school teachers can use for exceptional students in group learning environments. Topics include identifying the exceptional student, assuring due process, creating least restrictive environments, preparing the individual education plan (IEP), and evaluating. (variable credits) Prerequisites: ED 320, ED 332
ED 330 Classroom Assessment and Evaluation: Planning for Achievement and Fulfillment
This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of classroom assessment (testing) and evaluation (grading). Students learn how to use learning progressions to create rubrics for essay and performance assessment and test blueprints to create selected response and short answer assessments. (2-4 credits) Prerequisite: A secondary or elementary methods course
ED 332 The Science and Art of Teaching: Developing Skill in Action from the Platform of Total Knowledge
This course introduces students to two essential areas of study in classroom teaching, K–12: general principles of teaching and classroom management. Students prepare and carry out lessons in mini-teaching and real classroom situations. Topics include —principles of teaching, teaching strategies, classroom management, communicating with parents, and professional ethics and responsibilities. (4 credits) Prerequisite: STC 108/109
ED 333 Enlightened Literature for Children: Identifying Life-Supporting Literature to Prepare Children for the Age of Enlightenment
Students learn the fundamentals of designing and organizing a comprehensive reading program for children in the classroom. Topics include establishing criteria for selection and interpretation of children’s books, designing warm-up and follow-up activities to reading, and developing children’s appreciation for literature. (variable credits) Prerequisite: STC 108/109
ED 349 Mastering Classroom Management: Gaining Leadership in the Classroom through the Authority of the Total Potential of Natural Law
Students learn the basic principles of leadership and classroom management from Maharishi’s Principles of Ideal Teaching and the social science literature. They practice specific time-honored techniques and they practice developing the judgment of a leader through numerous case studies. Topics include —understanding student needs, motivation, building relationships in the classroom, dealing with minor disruptions and chronic misbehavior, and problem-solving with students. (2 credits) Prerequisite: STC 108/109
ED 358 Teaching a Single Subject in the Elementary or Secondary School: Laying the Foundation for Enlightened Leadership
This course introduces the process of curriculum development and the instructional methods appropriate for teaching a single subject in the elementary or secondary school. The course is co-taught by University and school faculty. Students are placed in a classroom where they spend approximately 25 hours over the course of the month. They assist in the classroom, observe methods of instruction, and plan a unit to be taught later during their student teaching. Topics include structure of the discipline, broad ideas of the discipline, national standards in one’s field, instructional strategies special to one’s field, curriculum design, principles of sound assessment, reading across the curriculum, and data-based instructional decision making. (4 credits) Prerequisite: ED 548 The Science and Art of Teaching.
ED 368 Teaching Elementary Social Studies: Creating Ideal Citizens of the Age of Enlightenment through Classroom Experiences That Inspire and Enlighten
This course presents an introduction to social studies, including methods and materials. Topics include designing units and lessons, aligning curriculum with national standards and the Iowa Core Curriculum, project-based learning, and assessment. (variable credits) Prerequisites: ED 332, ED 326
ED 369 Teaching Elementary Mathematics: Exploring the Structure of Pure Knowledge in Theory and in Practice
This course introduces teaching methods for arithmetic, computation, and basic mathematical concepts. Topics include strategies for teaching mathematics in accordance with the stages of children’s cognitive development and for teaching pre-number and number concepts, place value and numeration, whole numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. (variable credits) Prerequisites: ED 332, ED 326
ED 370 Teaching Elementary Science: Discovering the Self, the Constitution of the Universe, as the Basis of All Natural Phenomena
This course prepares the teacher candidate to foster scientific inquiry and problem solving in elementary school children. Topics include scientific concepts, scientific literacy, and science methods and materials in the elementary school. (variable credits) Prerequisites: ED 332, ED 326
ED 371 Methods of Teaching Elementary Reading and Language Arts: Understanding and Experiencing How the Language Arts Develop Self-Referral in Teacher and Student
This course is an introduction to methods and materials for teaching reading and language arts in the elementary school classroom. Topics include diagnosis and evaluation of reading skills and comprehension; word attack, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies for reading instruction; the reading/writing connection; strategies for developing listening and speaking skills; expository and narrative writing; writing poetry; integrating the language arts throughout the curriculum; analysis of commercial reading education materials; use of technology in teaching reading and language arts; and reading materials and methods for students with special needs. Students will apply what they are learning as they spend part of each day in an elementary reading classroom. (variable credits) Prerequisites: ED 326, ED 332
ED 372 Teaching Elementary Art: Expressing the Joy of Pure Consciousness
In this course, students become familiar with the theory, basic concepts, and techniques used to teach elementary school art. Topics include teaching methods and curriculum for art. Materials fee is $15. (variable credits) Prerequisite: ED 332
ED 373 Teaching Elementary Music: Enjoying the Flow of Wakefulness
This course presents an introduction to elementary school music methods and materials. Topics include teaching behaviors and strategies for music education, use of contemporary technology in teaching music, evaluation in music education, and adapting music education for students with special needs (the handicapped and the gifted). (1 credit) Prerequisite: ED 332
ED 374 Teaching Secondary Art: Expressing the Joy of Pure Consciousness
In this course, students become familiar with the theory, basic concepts, and techniques used to teach secondary school art. Topics include teaching methods and curriculum for art. Materials fee is $15. (variable credits) Prerequisite: STC 108/109
ED 376 Methods of Teaching Elementary Physical Education: Understanding the Mechanics of Self-Referral in the Classic Triad of Mind, Body, Spirit
This course introduces teaching methods for elementary physical education. Topics include strategies for teaching physical education in accordance with the stages of children’s motor development, classroom management, lesson planning, and holistic health and fitness. (1 credit) Prerequisite: STC 108/109
ED 450 Human Relations in Education: Effective Communication on the Ground of Infinite Correlation
This course considers the relationship between the individual and society, and between individual cultures in a pluralistic society. Students study major theories from social psychology, multiethnic and multicultural education, and interpersonal communication. (variable credits) Prerequisite: STC 108/109
ED 494 Student Teaching in the Elementary School: Established in Being, Perform Action That Leads to the Fulfillment of Student and Teacher
This course develops effective teaching skills through daily observation, planning, teaching, and evaluation in the classroom. Course work includes weekly seminars, regular observations, written and oral analyses of teaching, critiques by supervising and cooperating teachers and by the student teacher. (variable credits — may be repeated) Prerequisite: consent of the department
ED 495 Creating a Digital Teaching Portfolio: Documenting the Growth of Self-Referral Performance in the Life of the Teacher
This course provides students with the time and supervision necessary to prepare a portfolio of their work as a student teacher. (variable credits) Prerequisite: ED 490
The content of this page was reviewed in January 2010.
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