Elementary Education (K-6) Major, BS

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 parents, schools, communities and in the world by accommodating individual differences among learners and advocating for the social justice of all students.
• 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.
• Utilize clear and effective Standard English when speaking and writing.

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.

Program Summary

Total Number of Semester Hours………………………………….. 120-123 semester hours

General Education Requirements…………………………………… 45 semester hours

                                                                                 15  semester hours of Second Course of Study

Elementary Education Professional Core…………………………60  semester hours

Specialized Admission Requirements for the Major

Requirements for Pre-Majors:

Advisor’s Tools for Elementary Education Pre-Majors

1. Sample Program of Study
2. Elementary Concentration

Sample Program of Study

The following courses are recommended for the completion of the required program of study in eight semesters.

Freshman:

• MAT 1325   Principles of Mathematics I or MAT 1313  Pre-calculus Mathematics II
• MAT 1326   Principles of Mathematics II or MAT 2326  Elementary Statistics
• SPH 2341   Fundamentals of Speech or any SPH course

Sophomore:

• EDU 2334   Education, Culture, and Society
• EDU 2322   Promoting Social Justice through Education
• Complete 15 hours of the second course of study (SCS) for the completion of the required program of study in eight semesters. (see SCS below)
• Take Praxis Core exam and successfully pass to be admitted into the education program.   

Elementary Education Second Course of Study (SCS)

All Elementary Education majors must choose one second course of study and complete 18 semester hours within their chosen area.  Students must choose one of the following areas: English as a Second Language or Math/Science/Technology, or Special Education.

  General Admission Requirements for the Major

• 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 Core, 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 other 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 North Carolina Foundations of Reading and General Curriculum test during student teaching. Taking North Carolina Foundations of Reading and General Curriculum testis required for graduation. Passing the North Carolina Foundations of Reading and General Curriculum testis 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  Student Teaching Seminar 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. See list of course requirements above.

Major Courses

EDU 2334   - Education, Culture, and Society

SPE 3300   - 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 or EDU 2322  Promoting Social Justice through Education

ELE 3311   -  Human Growth and Development

RED 3310   - Teaching Reading in Elementary School 3-6

HED 3201   – Health Elementary/Physical Education Teachers

PED 3204   – Elementary Physical Education

EDU 3315  -  Curriculum, Instructional Planning, and Assessment

EDU 3338   - Psychological Foundations of Education

EDU 4333   - Student Teaching Seminar

EDU 4339   –Integrating Media and Technology in P-12 Settings

EDU 4981   - Observation, Student Teaching, and Practicum

ELE 4334  - Methods and Assessment of Teaching Language Arts

ELE 4335   - Methods and Assessment in Teaching Mathematics

ELE 4336   - Classroom Management and Instruction

ELE 4338  - Methods and Assessment of Teaching Social Studies

ELE 4341- Concepts and Assessment of Science

RED 4312   - Reading, Assessment, and Remediation

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   Curriculum, Instructional Planning 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  Student Teaching Seminar

The following courses can only be taken after admission to Teacher Education:

ELE 4341 Methods and Assessment of Science

EDU 3338   Psychological Foundations of Education

EDU 4339   Integrating Media & Technology in P-12 Setting

ELE 4335   Methods  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   Student Teaching Seminar

PROGRAM OF STUDY  FOR LICENSURE ONLY

The courses listed below are required for the Elementary Education K-6 Certification recommendation.

GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES

SPH 2341   Fundamentals of Speech (3)

MAT 1325   Principles of Mathematics I

MAT 1326   Principles of Mathematics II (3)

SEQUENCE OF COURSES

EDU 2334   Education, Culture, and Society

ELE 3311   Human Growth and Development (3)

PED 3201 Elementary Physical Education (2) or HED 3204 Health Education in Elementary School MUS 3211  Music in Elementary School (2) or ART 3311 Art in Elementary School (2)

SPE 3300   Exceptional Child in the Regular Classroom (3)

EDU 2322   Promoting Social justice through Education (3)/ EDU 3322  Parent-School Community Relations (3)

EDU 3315   Curriculum, Instructional Planning and Assessment (3)

RED 3309   Teaching Reading in the Elementary School K-2 (3)

RED 3310   Teaching Reading in the Elementary School 3-6 (3)

EDU 4339   Integrating Media and Technology in P-12 Settings (3)

EDU 3338   Psychological Foundations of Education(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 and Instruction (3)

EDU 4981   Student Teaching (9) or EDU 4991  Co-Op Education (9)

EDU 4333   Student Teaching Seminar (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 2334   Education, Culture, and Society 3 hours

SPE 3300   Exceptional Children in the Regular Classroom…………. 3 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    Human Growth and Development ………….…………………….3 hours

EDU 3315   Curriculum, Instructional Planning and Assessment….. 3 hours

Electives for the Minor

(Select one or more courses from the remaining list to complete the required hours.)

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 2322   Promoting social Justice through Education or EDU 3322  Parent-School Community Relations…………………………………………………………………………… 3 hours