Educating Learners with Disabilities 

This course focuses on the education of students with disabilities and other learners from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The goal of the course is to promote access to the general curriculum for all students through participation in standards-based reform. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) provides the theoretical framework for this course. Through an examination of historical milestones, landmark legislation, systems for classification, approaches to intervention, and the daily life experiences of diverse learners, students acquire knowledge about diversity and the resources, services, and supports available for creating a more just society through education.

Mathematics and Technology: Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum

This course presents methods and materials useful in teaching mathematics to early childhood and elementary school children and the different ways in which technology can be used in the elementary school classroom. The course will consider the teaching of mathematics and the use of technology from both theoretical and practical perspectives.

Teaching Reading

Offers teacher candidates skills for teaching reading to school age children. Students will gain understanding of reading through a historical, political, theoretical, and practical lens. They will understand the delivery of instruction by learning a balanced approach to teaching reading. They will gain familiarity of how children learn to read by partaking in observations, assessments, and instruction with a school age child. Students will learn a variety of ways to meet the needs of linguistically and culturally diverse learners. They will recognize reading difficulties and learn ways to differentiate instruction for such readers.

Teaching Language Arts*

Examines the development of written and spoken language and methods of instruction for oral and written language from the preschool years through early adolescence. Students learn strategies for identifying children's areas of strength and weakness and to plan instruction. Addresses the needs of children from non-English speaking homes. Expects students to spend at least 16 hours distributed across at least eight sessions in a classroom or other setting where they can work with one or more children.

Teaching Bilingual Students in Elementary Education*

Deals with the practical aspects of the instruction of teaching English Language Learners in Sheltered English Immersion, and mainstream classrooms. Reviews and applies literacy and content area instructional approaches. Includes such other topics as history and legislation related to English Language Learners and bilingual education, and the influences of language and culture on students, instruction, curriculum, and assessment. There are two sections of this course: one for elementary and early childhood education majors and one for secondary education majors.

Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum in Early Childhood Education

This course focuses on the development and implementation of curriculum in early education. The Massachusetts Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences and the national standards for developmentally appropriate practices will be utilized throughout the semester. This course will highlight each of the curriculum domains (language/literacy, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, health, and the arts) while demonstrating how to build an integrated curriculum in an early childhood classroom. The importance and value of play in the early years will be emphasized, and strategies will be shared to help teacher candidates document student learning.

Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education

Focuses on learning (including behavioral, cognitive, and information processing approaches), motivation, and social development, while incorporating the role of play in the learning and development of the young child. Examines individual differences and the effects of special needs on learning and development, as well as program implications.

Social Contexts of Education

Examines the role of situational, school, community, peer, and family factors on the education of children. Participants in the course will strive to understand the effects of their own social context on their education, to develop strategies to help students understand their context, and to understand and contribute to what schools can do to improve teaching and learning and school culture for all students regardless of internal and external variables.

Partnering with Diverse Families and Communities in Early Childhood

This course is designed to help early childhood educators establish effective partnerships and reciprocal relationships with diverse families and communities. First, students will learn about models of family involvement and important family developmental processes in early childhood such as attachment, maternal responsiveness, and parenting styles. Second, we discuss important social, cultural, and linguistic characteristics which shape the life of families and children and are relevant for understanding diverse families. Third, we present strategies for supporting and working with diverse families through family, school, and community partnerships. At the end of this course, students will have developed an action plan for working with diverse families in early childhood settings including activities for: collecting and providing information, planning for family involvement in the classroom, establishing reciprocal relationships with families, and collaborating with communities.

Art and Music in Early Childhood Education

The main purpose of this course is to encourage early childhood educators to embrace the unique characteristics of young children's artistic and musical expression and appreciation of these experiences. By providing a foundational knowledge of young children's creative thinking and aesthetic development, the course will teach you how to apply effective pedagogical strategies in teaching art and music and how to integrate art and music across the early childhood curriculum. Students will learn how to bridge theory and practice through various readings, recorded lectures, and classroom examples. At the end of this course, you will be able to plan effective process-focused art and music lessons, use various materials and medium for artistic and musical expression, maximize the potential of your classroom resources, and use art and music to promote multiculturalism, diversity, and enhance family involvement.

Science Playing and Learning in Early Childhood Classroom

This course is designed to encourage and prepare early childhood educators for planning and implementing engaging and developmentally appropriate science learning experiences (Pre-K-2nd grade). An overarching focus of the course is instilling in students an appreciation for the wonder of science and the world around them. The course is divided into three science content areas: Earth and Space Sciences, Life Sciences, and Physical Sciences. Students will learn how to connect their teaching with new science, technology, and engineering standards. Through interactive activities and discussions including the review of video, science lessons, and research in science education, we will explore key elements and challenges of science teaching and provide a foundation for supporting science learning in the early childhood classroom.