Education - Elementary Education Program

A major without certification is available for students who are not interested in seeking certification in elementary education. It is suitable for those who plan to participate in instruction of children in community and church centers or in the home, or for prospective parents.

REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION MAJOR WITHOUT CERTIFICATION

A major without certification is available for students who are not interested in seeking certification in elementary education. It is suitable for those who plan to participate in instruction of children in community and church centers or in the home, or for prospective parents. Students seeking a major without certification must meet the graduation requirements of the college and must complete the general education courses, one specialization course sequence, and professional educational courses as outlined below:

REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION MAJOR (K-9) WITH TEACHER CERTIFICATION

All Teacher Education students must meet the graduation requirements of the College. Students seeking certification to teach in kindergarten through the ninth grade in Illinois are required to meet the graduation requirements if Eureka College and complete the general education courses, one specialization sequence, and professional education courses outlined below. The Middle School endorsement is required of all elementary education majors. Please refer to the Middle School Endorsement section for additional information.

Areas of Specialization

A student may chose one of two options for completion of a specialization .

The first option consists of 18 credit hours in a concentrated area of study (other than Physical Education), with 9 of those hours at the 300 level. This specialization option will lead to a status of "highly qualified" in self-contained k-4 classrooms and also in non-departmental 5-8 classrooms.

The second option consists of a predetermined 24 credit hours in one of the following concentrated areas of study: Art, French, Language Arts, Mathematics, Music, Science, Social Science, Spanish, or Theatre Arts and Drama. The student choosing this option will lead not only to a status of "highly qualified" in self-contained k-4 classrooms and in non-departmental 5-8 classrooms, but also a status of "highly qualified" in departmental 5-8 classrooms, allowing the student to teach in his/her subject area at the middle school level.

Professional Education Courses

The course sequence as approved in the most recent accreditation site visit:

Student Teaching Prerequisites:

2.50 overall GPA; 2.75 GPA in courses listed below; completion of previously stated student teaching requirements.

Music Certification (Vocal Music, K-12)

The certification program prepares students to teach Vocal Music in Kindergarten through Grade 12 in the State of Illinois. For certification requirements, please refer to the Music Major with Teacher Certification section.

High School Certification

All Teacher Education students must meet the graduation requirements of the College. Certification programs are available in English (6-12); Mathematics (6-12); Physical Education (6-12); Science (6-12) with designation in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, or Physics; Social Science (6-12) with designation in History, Psychology, or Sociology & Anthropology. Students should refer to specific subject (major) areas of this catalog for requirements in their chosen area(s). To obtain additional High School endorsements, a student must complete either : (a) 32 hours in a major course of concentration; or (b) 24 hours in a subject area and pass the applicable content area test.

Middle School Endorsement

Persons employed to teach in grades 6-9 in the state of Illinois must complete two 3 credit hour courses in:

(a) Middle School Methods and Management (EDU 380), and
(b) Psychology of Childhood through Adolescence (PSY 205).

In addition, each candidate must complete an 18-hour area of concentration. However, to be "highly qualified" to teach a particular subject in a departmentalized Middle School, each candidate must complete either:

(a) 32 hours in a major course of concentration; or
(b) 24 hours in a subject area and pass the applicable content-area test.

ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION COURSES

185W Foundations of American Education - 3 hours
Study of the historical, social and philosophical foundation of American public education. Efforts are directed toward helping the student develop his/her own philosophy of education as well as understanding the philosophy of others. The Course requires a significant amount of critical thinking through oral discussions and writing activities.

200 Teaching Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers - 3 hours
Prerequisite: MAT 009R, and ACT Math score of at least 23, or placement by divisionally designated, nationally normed placement test (e.g. Compass).
Designed to help elementary preservice teachers apply multiple pedagogical strategies to understand, apply, and demonstrate mathematical concepts as they relate to everyday life. The course will teach students how to help elementary students explore and experiment with the real number system, apply statistic and probability strategies, and relate geometrical concepts using manipulatives. The underlying themes involve teaching strategies using application, problem solving, deducting reasoning, inductive reasoning, and technology.

227 Educational Psychology - 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSY 101; sophomore standing; overall GPA of 2.20; and concurrent enrollment in EDU 228 required for Teacher Education candidates.
Relates and applies the principles of psychology and learning theories to the teaching-learning process. Both the role of the teacher and that of the student are considered.
 
228 Educational Psychology Field Experience- 1 hour
Prerequisite: PSY 101; sophomore standing; overall GPA of 2.20; and concurrent enrollment in EDU 227; and be a declared Education major.
One-on one and small group instructional experiences with classrooms with diverse learning modalities or special tutoring needs, some observations but only with structured analysis. 24 clock hours minimum. Grade pass/fail.

229 Educating the Exceptional Child - 3 hours
Prerequisite: EDU 227 and 228 or consent of Teacher Education Program personnel.
Provides understanding and preparation for the elementary and secondary teacher to work with all levels and aspects of exceptional learning behaviors in the classroom, including mental retardation, learning disabilities, behavior disorders, visual and hearing impairment, cultural diversity, and gifted/talented students.

230 Children's Literature - 2 hours
Designed to acquaint the student with the great wealth of literature written for children. A genre approach is taken to the survey of children's literature and the student will be expected to apply basic principles of literary criticism to contemporary works in children's literature.
 
300A Inner City/Middle School Field Experience (Elementary) - 1 hour
and
300B Primary Field Experience - 1 hour
Prerequisite: overall 2.50 GPA; and admission into Teacher Education Program.
An experience in participating in an elementary classroom. Extends over two terms. Available only to elementary teacher education candidates. Pass/Fail. 24 clock hours minimum in each setting.
 
301C Middle School Field Experience -1 hour
and
301D Special Resource Field Experience -1 hour
Prerequisite: overall 2.50 GPA; and admission into Teacher Education Program.
Involves active participation in a variety of experiences within an elementary classroom. Extends over two terms. Available only to Elementary Education candidates. Pass/Fail. 24 clock hours minimum in each setting.
 
302A Inner City/Middle School Field Experience (Music) - 1 hour
and
302B Field Experience (Other Music Placement) - 1 hour
Prerequisite: overall 2.50 GPA; and admission into Teacher Education Program.
Experiences in participating in vocal/general music classrooms at the elementary and secondary levels. Available only to Music Education candidates. Pass/Fail. 24 clock hours minimum in each setting.
 
303 Educating the Gifted Child - 3 hours
Prerequisite: EDU 227 and 228.
Designed to aid prospective elementary teachers in identification of the gifted child in the classroom and in structuring learning situations which stimulate intellectual growth.

305 Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching - 3 hours
Prerequisite: EDU 227 and 228.
Designed for elementary and secondary teacher education candidates to learn basic computer/technology operation and concepts, personal and professional uses of technology, application of technology in instruction, and productivity tools for teaching in the K-12 public school systems.

320A Middle School Field Experience (Secondary) - 1 hour
and
320B Traditional School Field Experience (Secondary) - 1 hour
Prerequisite: overall 2.50 GPA; and admission into Teacher Education Program.
Involves active participation in a variety of experiences within middle school and high school classrooms. Extends over two terms. Available only to secondary Teacher Education candidates. Pass/Fail. 24 clock hours minimum in each setting.
 
360 Mathematics and Science for the Elementary School Teacher - 3 hours
Prerequisite: EDU 227 and 228.
Study of current information, methods and materials used in teaching mathematics and science to the elementary school child; includes lesson planning and hands-on learning experiences in the elementary classroom.
 
376 Methods and Techniques of Teaching at the Elementary Level - 3 hours
Prerequisite: EDU 227 and 228.
Designed to investigate and introduce elementary curriculum and teaching methods focusing on grades K-6. Included will be unit development, lesson planning and presentation, building individual, small and large group instructional strategies, the evaluation of student achievement and the integration of technology into the classroom.
 
380 Middle School Methods and Management - 3 hours
Prerequisite: EDU 227 and 228.
Introduces students to the particular philosophy, methods, and management skills needed to meet the needs of instruction in the middle grades (5-9). Attention is given to teacher decision making in the areas of effective planning, assessment of learning, teaching strategies, classroom management, and the physical, social, and psychological patterns of the middle school child.
 
410 Strategies of Classroom Management - 3 hours
Prerequisite: EDU 227 and 228;overall 2.5 GPA; major field 2.75 GPA; and concurrent enrollment in EDU 465 and a 300-level field experience.
Assessment skills and strategies are absolutely essential in today's multicultural classroom. This course is designed to help the elementary classroom teacher set up a systems approach to building positive behaviors, with the recognition that the teacher's ability to carry out effective assessment strategies are key motivators in the building of an effective learning environment.

430W Elementary Reading and Language Arts - 4 hours
Prerequisite: EDU 227 and 228.
Introduces the student to the methods and materials for teaching and learning reading, writing, spelling, listening, and speaking. Includes a focus on diagnosing and developing skills of remediation.
 
435 Field Experience for Secondary Student Teachers - 1-2 hours
Prerequisites: successful completion of all 300-level field experiences; overall 2.50 GPA; major field 2.75 GPA; and concurrent enrollment in methods (EDU 440-444 or EDU 445-446 or PED 410).
An experience in a secondary school classroom with purposeful interactions with students and school personnel; serves as mediated entry into student teaching in the same classroom [some exceptions]. Available only to secondary Teacher Education candidates. Pass/Fail. 24-48 clock hours.
 
440-444 Methods of Teaching in a Secondary School - 4 hours
Prerequisites: concurrent enrollment in EDU 435.
Introduces the student to the methods, materials, and technology relevant to his/her area of specialization. Register for 440 English, 441 Social Studies, 442 Math, 410 Physical Education, or 444 Science. Under some circumstances, the 440-444 courses may be combined.
 
445 Teaching Elementary Vocal Music - 4 hours
Prerequisite: Admission into Teacher Education Program.
Introduces the student to the methods, materials, and technology relevant to the teaching of elementary school vocal music. (Students enrolled in EDU 445 and 446 must enroll in EDU 435 concurrently with one of the two courses.)

 446 Teaching Secondary Vocal Music - 4 hours
Prerequisite: admission into Teacher Education Program.
Introduces the student to the methods, materials, and technology relevant to the teaching of secondary vocal and choral music. (Students enrolled in EDU 445 and 446 must enroll in EDU 435 concurrently with one of the two courses.)
 
464-465-466 Student Teaching - 11 hours
Prerequisite: Completion of all required Teacher Education courses; overall 2.50 GPA; major field 2.75 GPA; admission into Teacher Education Program.
Student teaching occurs contiguous to EDU 435 and the concurrent methods course, optimally, in the same setting as student teaching. Eleven consecutive weeks of full-time participation in an elementary or secondary school is conducted under the direction of a master teacher. Activities progress through observation and assistance with individuals and/or small groups of students, and includes a significant amount of time where the pre-service teacher assumes full responsibility for the cooperating teacher's class and curriculum. For secondary teachers, joint responsibility for supervision is assumed by the Teacher Education and specialization area personnel. Special lab fee of $220. EDU 464 = Vocal Music (K-12), EDU 465 = Elementary (K-9), EDU 466 = secondary (6-12)

EDUCATION - GRADUATE COURSES

Eureka College has a tradition of providing in-service education for teachers. The College has approval of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools to offer a limited number of courses for graduate credit. A Master's degree is not available. For information on courses offered, contact the offices of Teacher Education.