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Elementary Education Major

About Elementary Education Major more

Students majoring in Elementary Education at Concordia develop the skills and insights to become effective elementary school teachers and life-long learners. A variety of endorsements are available for students to extend their major to include additional grade levels at which they would like to teach. Because of Minnesota's rigorous teacher licensure standards, students graduating from the state's colleges and universities are favorably regarded nationwide.

Students will engage in a series of classes, field experiences and student teaching opportunities which offers an effective blend of theory and practice. The department has key partnerships with Concordia's Hmong Culture and Language program, St. Paul and Minneapolis Public Schools, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod schools and five Twin Cities public charter schools authorized by Concordia. Students often obtain teaching opportunities through these partnerships.

The Teacher Education program at Concordia has been the pride of the University for nearly 60 years. It is widely recognized for excellence in its programs, faculty, staff and candidates, and regarded as among the finest in the state of Minnesota and in the Concordia University System. A low student-to-faculty ratio ensures students receive the individual attention that is a hallmark of the program and the University. The program is fully accredited by the National Council of Accreditation for Teacher Education (continuously since 1969) and the Minnesota Board of Teaching.

Additional Endorsements Available with K-6 Elementary Education:

  • Pre-Primary (Pre-School) Endorsement
  • Grade 5-8 Communication Arts/Literature Endorsement
  • Grade 5-8 Math Endorsement - Coming Soon
  • Grade 5-8 Science Endorsement - Coming Soon
  • Grade 5-8 Social Studies Endorsement
  • Kindergarten License Endorsement (available to those already licensed in Elementary Education, typically Grade 1-5)

Careers in Elementary Education more

This major prepares students to teach grades K-6 within private or public elementary schools.

Additional endorsements prepare students to be:

  • Middle School Communication Arts/Literature Teacher
  • Middle School Mathematics Teacher
  • Middle School Science Teacher
  • Middle School Social Studies Teacher
  • Preschool Teacher

Success in Elementary Education more

Course for Elementary Education Major

ART-101 Approaching Art

This seven-week course lays the foundation for approaching visual art by introducing fundamental aspects of the nature of art and art making. The course will investigate four areas which are key to appreciating art. These four units will include the importance perceptual skills, the nature of the creative process, the place of art in its cultural context, and the role and processes of abstraction. The course will involve looking at art, reading, writing and speaking about art using acquired

BIO-100 Biology Today

This course challenges students to confront, evaluate, and integrate the major discoveries and principles of the biological sciences within their worldview as members of contemporary society. Major themes of the course include the role of genes and inheritance in human growth and development; health and behavior; human origin and relationship to the Earth's biodiversity; and human impact on, role within, and responsibility for the integrity of the biosphere. Lectures, readings, discussions,

CHE-110 Chemistry in Perspective

Chemistry principles will be developed on a need to know basis within the context of selected societal problems. Class format will encourage students to contribute knowledge from non-scientific fields to expand the base of applicability. This course is especially designed for the non-science major and may not be used for credit in any of the science majors or minors. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory period per week.

ECE-322 Kindergarten Endorsemnt Mthds

Emphasis is placed on an understanding of the history and current trends for Kindergarten. The focus of the course includes the development of appropriate learning environments, activities, and strategies for intentional teaching in all curricula areas. This course, like all early childhood courses, includes the themes of developmentally and culturally appropriate practices, play, behavior guidance, and partnerships with parents.

ECE-324 Lang Dev & Emergent Literacy

This course is designed to prepare educators and allied professionals to guide young children through the process of language acquisition and emergent literacy. The research and stages of language development from birth through age seven are extensively explored. Literacy strategies are explained, modeled, and experienced. The process of acquiring English as a second language and supportive strategies from adults and peers is also explored. This course, like all early childhood courses,

ECE-425 Young Child with Special Need

This course is designed to introduce students to the laws and techniques needed to develop curricula and instruction to meet the unique needs of individual children in the early childhood setting. Emphasis is given to the integration of theories, research, practical application, and promotion of collaboration between early childhood professionals, special educators, and parents. Particular attention is given to authentic assessment which informs instruction, program planning, and

ED-200 Introduction to Teaching

An introduction to Concordia's teacher education program including its rationale and procedures for admission, retention and completion of the program. Students are introduced to the teaching profession and explore their own currently held understandings, beliefs and dispositions about teaching. 25 Human Relation hours are required.

ED-330 Human Diversity and Relations

This course helps students experience, understand and become sensitive to human diversity and presents strategies for teaching human relations skills in the classroom setting. A 15-hour field experience that satisfies a portion of the university's human relations requirement is included.

ED-336 Educational Psychology

This course applies the basic principles of human development and behavior to the classroom situation. Emphasis is given to the teacher education conceptual framework, theoretical backgrounds in learning, and their application to the classroom. Topics include the characteristics of children, student variability, educational planning and instructional objectives, classroom management and assessment. A 15 hour field experience that satisfies a portion of the university's human relations

ED-342 Teaching Literacy

The important connection between all the literacy skills: reading, writing, listening, thinking and speaking is addressed. An understanding of a balanced reading approach is emphasized. The approach includes methods of embedding a wide variety of children's literature in the classroom through literature circles, thematic units, reading and writing conferences, reading and writing workshops, process writing and authentic assessment. Teaching strategies for building comprehension, word

ED-345 Effective Elementary Teacher

Instructional methods and materials that have wide application to the elementary grade levels are examined. Particular emphasis is given to such topics as the decision-making inherent in teaching (CSP model), effective instruction (planning, critical presentation skills, student interest, motivation, and involvement, etc.) and effective classroom management. (Prerequisite: admission to Teacher Education Program) Enrollment is concurrent with ED371 Teaching Practicum.

ED-346 Effective Middle School Teach

The historical, sociological, psychological and philosophical aspects of the middle school are studied. Discussion and activities focus on the purposes, functions and implications of the curriculum and the learner. Students explore middle school teaching practice and student learning in the classroom and current middle school organization and practice. (Prerequisite: admission to Teacher Education Program)

ED-347 Effective Secondary Teacher

This course provides a study of the purposes, history, philosophy, organization, operation, students, curriculum, teaching practices, and current problems of secondary schools in the United States. Emphasis is on the knowledge and skills necessary to teach effectively in a secondary school. (Prerequisite: admission to Teacher Education Program)

ED-348 Second Language Acquisition

This course examines both the cognitive aspects of second language acquisitions, and the social and cultural ones. The acquisition of the second language and the first language are compared and contrasted. The acquisition of language in a multilingual environment is explored.

ED-356 Teach Elem Science/Envirn Ed

In a laboratory setting, students actively explore science concepts and skills. They become familiar with materials and methodology especially well suited to the teaching of elementary school science and assessment of the associated learning, as well as recognize the central role of science in the development of enthusiastic learning and innovative, integrative and critical thought. (Prerequisite: admission to Teacher Education Program) Enrollment is concurrent with ED371 Teaching Practicum.

ED-357 Teach Elem Social Studies

This course reviews the content, methods, materials and research related to the teaching of elementary social studies (K�6th Grade). Attention is given to the content of the social studies curriculum and its basis within the social sciences, global education, experiential learning, concept development, inquiry methods, moral development, assessment, Minnesota standards, and critical thinking. (Prerequisite: admission to Teacher Education Program) Enrollment is concurrent with ED371 Teaching

ED-360 Content & Mthd for K-6 Mathema

This course provides opportunity for students to learn and apply the content, conceptual framework, and theories of teaching and learning of the elementary school mathematics curriculum. (Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education program.)

ED-371 Teaching Practicum

This course provides an early field experience for students prior to student teaching. Students are assigned to work with a cooperating teacher at a grade level appropriate to their license. The course is taken concurrently with methods courses to relate theory to practice. Students are usually placed in diverse, urban classrooms. (Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education Program)

ED-439 The Inclusive Classroom

Prospective educators are introduced to legislation and practices related to the inclusion of students with unique learning needs into regular classrooms. Topics include the classroom teacher's role is assessing, developing, and implementing unique learning experiences and managing group and individual behaviors. A 15-hour field experience that satisfies a portion of the university's human relations requirement is included. (Prerequisite: upper level standing)

ED-471 Student Teaching

Student teaching provides direct teaching experience for students to develop the understanding, skills, and dispositions necessary for implementing developmentally appropriate practices in classrooms for young children. Typically, students are assigned to work with two cooperating teachers in two different classrooms for one full semester. Seminars are held on campus and a capstone portfolio is required. (Birth-Grade 3 Practicum.)

FPA-112 The Human Odyssey

The Human Odyssey will explore the fine arts by way of themes found in Homer's Odyssey. Areas explored will include home, journey, identity, hospitality, and the nature of the arts. (Offered odd springs.)

KHS-470 Health Education for Teachers

This course investigates personal and community health issues facing society and especially children. The National Health Education Standards and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Priority Health Risk Behaviors are addressed. (Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education Program)

MAT-200 Found of Elem Math

This course includes a study of the development, conceptual framework and applications of arithmetic. Elementary concepts in probability, statistics and geometry are also included.

MUS-120 Listening to Life:West. Clscl

Using music primarily from the classical Western tradition, this course teaches music listening skills, relates music to history and culture, and reveals music as a conveyer of human emotions, thoughts, and ideals. The course also touches briefly on ethnic folk music, global art music, and popular music (American jazz, musical theatre, and pop music.) (This course earns 2 credits towards the 4 credit Fine Arts component of the general education curriculum. Offered every fall and spring, summers

PHS-111 Principles of Physics

This is a course for those who have not taken physics in high school. The concepts of mechanics, matter, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, light, and atomic and nuclear physics are considered. These major concepts of physics are examined by discussion, demonstration, use of current literature and the Internet, and hands-on-activities. Students make use of the computer as a tutorial aid, use a great variety of laboratory equipment (including sensors along with the computer) to procure and

PSY-101 Introduction to Psychology

This course introduces the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Psychological, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, psychodynamic and social-cultural perspectives are explored. Topics such as scientific method, statistical reasoning, neuroscience, learning, cognitive processes, development, psychological adjustment, therapy, social psychology, diversity and community are studied.

PSY-210 Child Psychology and Dev

A broad sketch of human growth and development is provided from the prenatal stages to the adolescent years. Developmental processes are studied from both a biological and social-cultural perspective to understand physical and perceptual development, cognition and language, personality and social development. Child studies of children at the students� projected levels of teacher certification are required. (Prerequisite: PSY101)

Requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program

  • Take MTLE Basic Skills Exams:  Rdg (240), Wrtg (240), Math (240) 
  • Prepare e-folio during ED201                                
  • Complete faculty interview            

Requirements for Graduation                    

  • Complete minimum 128 credits with minimum 2.5 CGPA and no grade below "C-"in licensure major                               
  • Complete MTLE Basic Skills Exams:  Rdg(240), Wrtg (240), Math (240) Tests      
  • Complete MN Teacher Licensure Exam: Content (240) and Pedagogy (240) Tests          
  • Apply for Graduation with the University Registrar                        

Requirements for Minnesota License                    

  • Complete First Aid/CPR Requirements                                    
  • Pass MTLE Basic Skills Exams:  Rdg( 240), Wrtg (240), Math (240) Tests          
  • Pass MN Teacher Licensure Exam: Content (240) and Pedagogy (240) Tests                  
  • Submit license application to College of Education                                        
  • Apply for teaching license w/MN Department of Education                                           

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