Program Description
Winston-Salem State University has a long history of contribution to the field of elementary education. The mission of the Elementary Education Program is to develop competent and effective teachers for grades K-6. The program prepares teachers to be ethical and appreciative of the human differences in the world and to use their ability to reason logically and think critically and creatively.
The Elementary Education Program links faculty and students directly to schools through field experiences, student teaching, consultations, and research. The skills of teaching, curriculum development, leadership, and supervision are developed in these various settings. Practical and theoretical views of educational programs and resources allow the program to maintain a close working relationship with other programs, departments, and divisions at Winston-Salem State University.
The primary mission of the Elementary Education Program at Winston-Salem State University is to prepare individuals to become highly competent teachers and higher-order thinkers, who value and appreciate cultural diversity, integrate technology into teaching and learning, and have the competence to maximize the educational experience of all students in our diverse and global society.
Student Learning Outcomes
The elementary teacher education candidate will:
- Demonstrate leadership in the classroom, school and the profession by meeting the needs of individual students, demonstrating high ethical standards, and promoting professional growth.
- Exhibit sensitivity toward diversity in the school, community and in the world by accommodating individual differences among learners.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the relevant content taught and the interconnectedness of disciplines.
- Facilitate learning by using a variety of instructional methods, integrating technology in instruction, and using critical-thinking and problem solving skills.
- Reflect on own practices by analyzing and assessing instruction, student learning and progress.
- Express themselves through speech and writing in appropriate, clear and effective English.
Major Requirements
The program provides a carefully planned sequence of classroom and field experiences that will result in the development of competent teachers for grades K-6. The curriculum is organized to include the general education core curriculum, professional studies, specialty area courses and a second course of study in one of the following areas: English as a Second Language, Math/Science/Technology, and Special Education. The course sequence for these areas is denoted in the program paradigms by the use of the term “second course of study.” Students are required to complete a minimum of 121 units. Elementary education majors should complete the general education curriculum and obtain admission into Teacher Education during the first two years of enrollment or by the time students have completed 60 credit hours.
Program Summary
Total Number of Semester Hours………………………………….. 122-123 semester hours
General Education Requirements…………………………………… 60 semester hours
Elementary Education………………………………………………… 30/31 semester hours
Professional Education……………………………………………….. 31 semester hours
Second Course of Study…………………………………………….. 18 semester hours
Specialized Admission Requirements for the Major
Prospective students must meet the following conditions:
- Be admitted to the Elementary Education Program by the end of the sophomore year. Make formal application for admission to the program during the second semester of the sophomore year.
- Pass Praxis I, an essay test, and an interview conducted by departmental faculty members.
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and at least a grade of C in all basic academic courses (English and Mathematics) to qualify for admission to the Elementary Teacher Education Program and student teaching.
- Sign a Disposition Statement.
- Present the approved program health form completed and signed by a private physician.
- Present acceptable ratings on personal and professional characteristics as determined by the character reference form and from interviews in the specific department.
- Complete admission to teacher education as it is a prerequisite for Methods Block courses, all other 4000 level courses and any courses listed in the catalog.
Progression Requirements
Candidates must maintain a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.5 and at least a grade of C in all major academic courses.
All 4000 level education courses require admission into Teacher Education and completion of the requirements listed in admissions requirements. All 4000 level courses must be approved by an Elementary Education Program Advisor.
Elementary Education majors will complete a minimum of 16-24 hours of professional development activities, 40-60 hours of field experience prior to the Elementary Education Pre-clinical Practicum, 60-90 hours of the Elementary Education Pre-clinical Practicum and Student Teaching.
Candidates must take the Praxis II Elementary Education test during student teaching. Taking Praxis II is required for graduation. Passing the Praxis II test is required for North Carolina teaching licensure.
Elementary Education majors are required to complete a Senior Project Portfolio as a requirement of graduation and recommendation for certification. The following are directives for the Senior Project Portfolio submission.
- Complete and electronically store evidences/artifacts from the emerging and developing course assignments.
- Take the Methods Block courses for the Elementary Education Pre-clinical Practicum during the fall semester of the senior year. Complete evidences for the Senior Project Portfolio.
- The Elementary Education Pre-clinical Practicum is completed the semester before the Student Teaching clinical experience. The Pre-clinical semester and the student teaching semesters are required to be completed consecutively.
- Complete two Elementary North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards’ Evidences in the Methods Block courses.
- Complete two Elementary North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards’ Evidences during the Student Teaching Experience.
- Complete EDU 4333 Responsive Pedagogy assignments for the Senior Project Portfolio.
- Electronically submit the Elementary Education Senior Project Portfolio in the appropriate assessment system.
Second Course of Study Requirements
All students must choose a second course of study (18 hours) from the following: English as a Second Language, Math/Science/Technology, or Special Education
English as a Second Language
ESL 2301 Introduction to Second Language Acquisition* 3 hours
SPA 2311 Intermediate Language I 3 hours
ESL 3301 ESL Grammar for Teachers* 3 hours
ESL 4301 Effective Teaching Methods in ESL* 3 hours
SPA 2312 Intermediate Language II 3 hours
ESL 3301 Introduction to Linguistics 3 hours
ESL 3300 Cultural Aspects of Teaching and Learning ESL* 3 hours
ESL 3308 Literacy Skill Development in ESL Students 3 hours
ENG 3321 Grammars of English 3 hours
* Elementary Education Majors are required to take these courses in the English as a Second Language Second Course of Study. All students must complete a minimum of 18 hours of this second course of study.
Math/Science/Technology
Elementary Education Majors are required to take two Mathematic, two Science, and two Technology courses. All students must complete a minimum of 18 hours of this second course of study.
MAT 1313 PreCalculus Mathematics II or proficiency 3 hours
MAT 2317 Calculus I 3 hours
MAT 2326 Elementary Statistics 3 hours
BIO 1320 – Environmental Biology (3) OR 3 hours
BIO 1315 – Introduction to Biotechnology (3)
BIO 2110 / 2310 – Zoology Laboratory and Lecture (4) OR 4 hours
BIO 2116 / 2316 – Botany Laboratory and Lecture (4)
CSC 1306 Computers and Its Use 3 hours
MIS 1380 Microcomputer Applications (Prerequisite to MIS 2312) 3 hours
MIS 2312 Internet Technology 3 hours
Special Education
SPE 1101 Special Education as A Profession 1 hours
SPE 2310 Introduction to Exceptional Children * 3 hours
SPE 2312 Transition, Planning, and Service Delivery 3 hours
SPE 3310 Classroom Management 3 hours
SPE 3335 Teaching Students with Behavior Problems 3 hours
SPE 3320 Problems and Characteristics of the LD Child 3 hours
SPE 3302 Methods and Materials for Teaching Math 3 hours
SPE 3336 Methods of Enhancing Reading Skills for Students 3 hours
With Special Needs
*SPE 2310 is a prerequisite for all Special Education courses. All students must complete a minimum of 18 hours of this second course of study.
Courses
Major Courses
EDU 2304 - Sociological, Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education
SPE 3200 - Exceptional Children in the Regular Classroom
ART 3311 - Principles and Methods of Teaching Art in Elementary Schools
MUS 3211 - Music Activities in Elementary Schools (non-majors)
RED 3309 - Teaching Reading in the Elementary School K-3
EDU 3322 - Parent-School Community Relations
ELE 3311 - Child Development
RED 3310 - Teaching Reading in Elementary School 3-6
HED 3201 – Health Elementary/Physical Education Teachers
PED 3204 – Elementary Physical Education
EDU 3315- Instructional Design, Curricula, and Assessment
ELE 4341- Concepts and Assessment of Science
EDU 4338 - Psychological Foundations of Education
EDU 4339 –Integrating Media and Technology in P-12 Settings
ELE 4335 - Concepts and Assessment in Teaching Math
ELE 4334- Methods and Assessment of Teaching Language Arts
ELE 4338- Methods and Assessment of Teaching Social Studies
RED 4312 - Reading, Assessment, and Remediation
ELE 4336 - Classroom Management, Instruction and Pre-clinical Practicum
EDU 4981 - Observation, Student Teaching, and Practicum
EDU 4333 - Responsive Pedagogy
Course Notes
The following are pre-requisites for the Elementary Education Program.
- RED 3309 Teaching Reading in the Elementary School K-2and RED 3310 Teaching Reading in Elementary School 3-6 are prerequisites for RED 4312 Reading, Assessment, and Remediation.
- EDU 3315 Instructional Design, Curricula and Assessment must be taken before RED 3309 Teaching Reading in the Elementary School K-2, RED 3310 Teaching Reading in Elementary School 3-6, and any 4000 level courses.
- Admission to the program is a pre-requisite for taking all 4000 level courses.
- Application and approval are pre-requisites for the pre-clinical practicum and the student teaching clinical experience.
- Students must be in the pre-clinical practicum to take ELE 4335, ELE 4336, ELE 4334, and RED 4312.
- Candidates must complete all courses in the Elementary Education Program of Study and the second course of study before enrolling in EDU 4981 Student Teaching and EDU 4333 Responsive Pedagogy.
The following courses can only be taken after admission to Teacher Education:
ELE 4341 Concepts and Assessment of Science
EDU 4338 Psychological Foundations of Education
EDU 4339 Integrating Media & Technology in P-12 Setting
ELE 4335 Concepts and Assessment in Teaching Math
ELE 4334 Methods and Assessment of Teaching Language Arts
ELE 4338 Methods and Assessment of Teaching Social Studies
RED 4312 Reading, Assessment, and Remediation
ELE 4336 Classroom Management, Instruction and the Pre-clinical Practicum
EDU 4981 Observation, Student Teaching
EDU 4333 Responsive Pedagogy
PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR INITIAL CERTIFICATION
The courses listed below are required for the Elementary Education K-6 Certification recommendation.
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES
SPH 2341 Fundamentals of Speech (3)
MAT 2304 Principles of Mathematics II (3)
HIS 2307 US History II (3)
POS 2311 American Government (3)
SEQUENCE OF COURSES
EDU 1304 Freshman Seminar for Education (3)
EDU 2304 Social Historical and Philisophical Foundations of Education (3)
ELE 3311 Child Development (3)
PED 3201 Elementary Physical Education (2)
or
HED 3204 Health Education in Elementary School (2)
MUS 3211 Music in Elementary School (2)
or
ART 3311 Art in Elementary School (2)
SPE 3200 Exceptional Child in the Regular Classroom (2)
EDU 3322 Parent-School Community Relations (3)
EDU 4339 Integrating Media and Technology in P-12 Settings (3)
RED 3309 Teaching Reading in the Elementary School K-2 (3)
RED 3310 Teaching Reading in the Elementary School 3-6 (3)
EDU 3315 Instructional Design, Curricula, and Assessment (3)
ELE 4341 Concepts and Assessment of Science (3)
ELE 4335 Concepts and Assessment in Teaching Mathematics (3)
ELE 4334 Methods and Assessment in Teaching Language Arts (3)
ELE 4338 Methods and Assessment in Teaching Social Studies (3)
RED 4312 Reading, Assessment and Remediation (3)
ELE 4336 Classroom Management, Instruction and the Pre-clinical Practicum (3)
EDU 4338 Psychological Foundations of Education (3)
EDU 4981 Student Teaching (9) or EDU 4991 Co-Op Education (9)
EDU 4333 Responsive Pedagogy (3)
Minor Program in Elementary Education
The program of study for the elementary education minor consists of a minimum of 19 semester hours. This program does not qualify the student for initial teacher licensure in North Carolina. Hours completed, however, may be used to satisfy requirements in another approved program. Consult your advisor or the Chair of the Department of Education.
Required Courses for the Minor (14 hrs. total)
EDU 2304 Sociological, Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education 3 hours
SPE 3200 Exceptional Children in the Regular Classroom……. 2 hours
RED 3309 Teaching Reading in Elementary School K-2……….. 3 hours
RED 3310 Teaching Reading in Elementary School 3-6……….. 3 hours
ELE 3311 Child Development …………………………………… 3 hours
Electives for the Minor (Select a minimum of five semester hours from the remaining courses.)
HED 3201 Health in Elementary School or ……………………..
PED 3204 Elementary Physical Education………………………. 2 hours
MUS 3211 Music in Elementary School or……………………….
ART 3311 Art in Elementary School…………………………….. 2/3 hours
EDU 3315 Instructional Design, Curricula and Assessment….. 3 hours
EDU 3322 Parent-School Community Relations………………… 3 hours
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