Early Childhood Education (ECED)
ECED 1101 Foundations of Early Childhood Education
This course has several distinct components, foundations of early childhood education, curriculum models and approaches, and assessment and instructional practices in early childhood education. Facilities management, development, and administration of early childhood programs will be introduced. In addition, professionalism in the field of early childhood education will be stressed. Prerequisites: PSY 0230 and admission to the upper-level program. 3 Credits
ECED 1111 ECED Field Practicum I
This course involves both classroom time and field experiences in a pre-kindergarten through 4th grade. The major emphasis in this course is devoted to creative expression in early childhood education. Students are expected to spend one day per week in a classroom for seven to eight weeks. Students will also be given extensive experiences with students who have special needs. Prerequisite: Admission to the upper-level program. 2 Credits
ECED 1112 ECED Field Practicum II
This course involves both classroom time and field experiences in a pre-kindergarten through 4th grade. It is the second of three field experiences prior to student teaching. The focus of this course is classroom management strategies. Students are expected to be able to develop an effective learning environment. Specific requirements related to this course will be distributed at the beginning of the term. Students are expected to spend one day per week in a classroom for seven to eight weeks. Students will also be given extensive experiences with students who have special needs. Prerequisites: ECED 1111 and admission to the upper-level program. 2 Credits
ECED 1113 ECED Field Practicum III
This course involves both classroom time and field experiences in a pre-kindergarten through 4th grade. It is the third of three field experiences prior to student teaching. The foci of this course are curriculum, assessment, and professional collaboration. Specific requirements related to this course will be distributed at the beginning of the term. Students are expected to spend one day per week in a classroom for seven to eight weeks. Students will also be given extensive experiences with students who have special needs. Prerequisites: ECED 1112 and admission to the upper-level program. 3 Credits
ECED 1123 Writing Development
This course deals with the writing process in young children and how these processes evolve in conjunction with language acquisition and development. In addition, approaches for facilitating writing process development and scaffolding on reading and speaking functions of young children’s language use will be emphasized. Prerequisites: ECED 1151 and admission to the upper-level program. 3 Credits
ECED 1142 Emergent Literacy
This course has two distinct components. The first part of the course deals with instructional and assessment strategies for young children in stages of emergent literacy. The second part of the course introduces early childhood education majors to literature for emergent readers. Strategies for introducing emergent readers to a variety of literacy genres will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Admission to the upper-level program. 3 Credits
ECED 1151 Early Language and Literature
This course deals with literacy development in the early years. Early childhood literacy education will be focused upon. Promotion of print-rich environments and interactive literacy experiences will be explored. Language and literacy acquisition will be introduced. In addition, selection and utilization of quality children’s literature in the early childhood classroom will be addressed. Prerequisites: PSY 0230 and admission to the upper-level program. 3 Credits
ECED 1153 Literacy in the Primary Grades
This course emphasizes reading and writing as developmental cognitive processes. Based on that understanding, students will explore the types of instruction, materials, and resources that can support children in learning about language and print. Students will be introduced to learning theories, research, philosophies, and instructional practices related to literacy in the primary grades, from kindergarten through grade three. Prerequisite: Admission to the upper-level program. 3 Credits
ECED 1154 Differentiated Reading
This course emphasizes differentiation in literacy instruction. Students will be introduced to learning theories, research, philosophies, and instructional practices related to a developmental approach to teaching reading and writing in early childhood education. Specifically, students will learn how to assess their students, analyze assessments, and teach to learners’ strengths and needs. Prerequisite: Admission to the upper-level program. 3 Credits
ECED 1162 Integrating the Creative Arts
This course is designed to help students learn to effectively integrate art, drama, and other forms of creative expression into the early childhood classroom. Prerequisite: Admission to the upper-level program. 3 Credits
ECED 1171 Science, Technology & Health
This course is designed help students develop the content, processes, and methodology necessary to teach pre-K – 4 science, technology, and health concepts. Students will demonstrate specific competencies related to planning, implementation, and evaluation of effective classroom instruction. Prerequisites: NATSC 0080 (Integrated Sciences) and admission to the upper-level program. 3 Credits
ECED 1172 Mathematics Foundation
This course is designed to provide the theoretical background, the pedagogical and psychological concepts, and the field-based experience necessary for planning, implementing, and assessing a numbers and mathematics program in a contemporary early childhood setting. Students will be introduced to a variety of instructional approaches and materials with particular emphasis on teaching about numbers and mathematics through problem solving and active learning. Prerequisites: MATH 0071, MATH 0080, and admission to the upper-level program. 3 Credits
ECED 1173 Social Studies in Early Childhood Education
This course is designed to provide the theoretical background, the pedagogical and psychological concepts, and the field-based experience necessary for planning, implementing, and assessing a social studies program in a contemporary early childhood setting. Students will be introduced to a variety of instructional approaches for facilitating the learning of content and skills drawn from the social sciences and for integrating this learning with other areas of the curriculum. Prerequisites: GEOG 0810; HIST 0610 or HIST 0620; and admission to the upper-level program. 3 Credits
ECED 1174 Pre-primary Student Teaching
This is a full-time experience for teacher-certification candidates in a student-teaching center at a pre-school. It provides opportunities to observe, plan, conduct, and assess instruction in a pre-school setting with professional backup from University supervisors and experienced master teachers. Pre-school sites are within 15 to 20 miles from the college; students are placed in established sites only. Prerequisites: ECED 1113 and admission to the upper level program. 7 Credits
ECED 1183 Engaging Your Children in Learning (C & I)
This course is taken during the term just prior to student teaching. Students are expected to use information learned in earlier courses and apply it to the creation of developmentally appropriate early childhood curriculum and instruction. Emphasis will be placed on issues if safety, guidance, organization, assessment, and the creation of materials and activities that foster the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains of children in early childhood education. Prerequisites: ECED 1112 and admission to the upper-level program. 3 Credits
ECED 1184 Primary Student Teaching
This is a full-time experience for teacher-certification candidates in a student-teaching center at an elementary school, grades K – 4. It provides opportunities to observe, plan, conduct, and assess instruction in an elementary school setting with professional backup from University supervisors and experienced master teachers. School sites are within 15 to 20 miles from the college; students are placed in established sites only. This course is speaking enhanced. Prerequisites: ECED 1113 and admission to the upper level program. 7 Credits
ECED 1190 Family and School Collaboration
This course pertains to family, school, and community collaboration partnerships. Establishing and maintaining partnerships with families will be addressed. Supporting the development of problem-solving strategies and fostering participation of children in the academic and social context of the classroom will be explored. Involving families and maintaining instructional goals and objectives with Pennsylvania’s learning standards will be introduced. Prerequisite: Admission to the upper-level program. 3 Credits
ECED 1193 Professional Development in Early Childhood Education
This course is directed at addressing the professional development of the teacher. Topics covered include classroom management, school law, teaching styles, certification, tenure, school environment, curriculum, professional associations, and the teaching-learning environment. The course will make use of case studies and other approaches to information on the role of being a classroom teacher. The course is designed to provide finishing preparation for student teaching and the necessary knowledge and skills to begin a successful teaching career. Prerequisites: ECED 1112 and admission to the upper-level program. 3 Credits
ECED 1194 ECED Student Teaching Seminar
This course is designed to provide the student teacher with basic elements of professional development and career opportunities. Emphasis is on professionalism, interviewing, résumés, portfolios, professional meetings, and other appropriate topics. Corequisite: ECED 1174, ECED 1184. 1 Credit
Note: (QR) denotes quantitative reasoning courses.