Primary Education (P-5)

Learn By Doing

Explore children's learning environments of all kinds. Participate in engaging field experiences in preschools, service agencies, elementary schools, and home.

Prepare for Licensure

Our program meets the standards for Ohio teacher licensure. All JCU education majors are accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Teacher Preparation.

Serve the Community

As an education major at JCU, you’ll have a chance to help underserved communities, whether through service-learning courses or summer internships.

Get Involved on Campus

Make connections and participate in professional development as a member of Pi Lambda Theta, an international education honor society. You can also join JCU Aspiring Educators, a local chapter of the Ohio Education Association.

• Learn By Doing

  Explore children's learning environments of all kinds. Participate in engaging field experiences in preschools, service agencies, elementary schools, and home.

• Prepare for Licensure

  Our program meets the standards for Ohio teacher licensure. All JCU education majors are accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Teacher Preparation.

• Serve the Community

  As an education major at JCU, you’ll have a chance to help underserved communities, whether through service-learning courses or summer internships.

• Get Involved on Campus

  Make connections and participate in professional development as a member of Pi Lambda Theta, an international education honor society. You can also join JCU Aspiring Educators, a local chapter of the Ohio Education Association.

Curriculum: What You Will Learn

You'll develop comprehensive knowledge and skills in primary education through core pedagogical knowledge, specialized content knowledge, and hands-on teaching experience. The program prepares you to be effective educators for students in grades P-5, with strong foundations in child development, literacy instruction, STEM education, and inclusive teaching practices.

See full degree requirements at the JCU Academic Catalog. 

• Core Pedagogical Knowledge

  Introduction to Education

  3 Credits

  ED1010

  Prerequisite for admission to teacher education. Emphasis on self-evaluation as a teacher. Introduction to critical issues in education, the person as a teacher, criteria for effective teaching, and effective school settings. Includes a field experience component. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details. Offered: Fall and Spring.
  

  ISJ: School and Society

  3 Credits

  ED2110

  Prerequisite for admission to teacher education. Foundations of education examined through historical, sociological, and philosophical perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of American education and related educational issues in a diverse society. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details. Offered: Fall and Spring. Prerequisite: ED 1010 or ED 1710 (min grade C) and EN 1250 or equivalent.
  

  Multicultural Education In A Pluralistic Society

  3 Credits

  ED3120

  Cultural, racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, gender, and individual differences and their effects on American education and society studied from sociological, historical, and philosophical perspectives. Development of human-relations skills to address issues of diversity and social justice.Offered: Spring and Summer.
  

  Educational Technology

  3 Credits

  ED3410

  Principles and techniques affecting technology in educational contexts. Includes exploration of emerging technologies and selection, production, and integration of educational materials. Prerequisite: Formal acceptance into the teacher education program. Lab fee. Offered: Fall and Spring.
  

  Ed2610

  ED2610

  Formation of skills in curriculum development, grouping, special procedures, planning, educational diagnosis, and other techniques suitable for working with a specified population of exceptional children. Requires work with students and parents in field settings. Offered: Fall and Summer.
  

  Introduction to Education

  3 Credits

  ED1010

  Prerequisite for admission to teacher education. Emphasis on self-evaluation as a teacher. Introduction to critical issues in education, the person as a teacher, criteria for effective teaching, and effective school settings. Includes a field experience component. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details. Offered: Fall and Spring.
  

  ISJ: School and Society

  3 Credits

  ED2110

  Prerequisite for admission to teacher education. Foundations of education examined through historical, sociological, and philosophical perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of American education and related educational issues in a diverse society. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details. Offered: Fall and Spring. Prerequisite: ED 1010 or ED 1710 (min grade C) and EN 1250 or equivalent.
  

  Ed2610

  ED2610

  Formation of skills in curriculum development, grouping, special procedures, planning, educational diagnosis, and other techniques suitable for working with a specified population of exceptional children. Requires work with students and parents in field settings. Offered: Fall and Summer.
  

  Multicultural Education In A Pluralistic Society

  3 Credits

  ED3120

  Cultural, racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, gender, and individual differences and their effects on American education and society studied from sociological, historical, and philosophical perspectives. Development of human-relations skills to address issues of diversity and social justice.Offered: Spring and Summer.
  

  Educational Technology

  3 Credits

  ED3410

  Principles and techniques affecting technology in educational contexts. Includes exploration of emerging technologies and selection, production, and integration of educational materials. Prerequisite: Formal acceptance into the teacher education program. Lab fee. Offered: Fall and Spring.
  

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• Primary Education Pedagogical Content Knowledge

  Foundations in Primary Education

  3 Credits

  ED2011

  Introduction to becoming an early childhood professional, with a focus on the history of the field as well as current models and approaches to a P-5 curriculum, planning and instruction. Includes an introduction to ethical decision-making and effective practices for working with families. Theory and research on developmentally appropriate practices will be examined and verbal and non-verbal ways to promote self-regulation and social behaviors. Fieldwork in diverse settings in pre-school and kindergarten. Reserve at least one morning per week for field hours.Prerequisites: ED 1010 (min grade C) and or ED 2110 (min grade C) and formal admission to teacher education. Crosslisted with ED 5311, ED 5021. Offered: Spring.
  

  Child and Young Adolescent Development

  3 Credits

  ED2311

  Understanding development, birth through age 12 across, developmental domains, including social-emotional development. Examination of the influence of home and early childhood environmental factors, including the effects of trauma, toxic stress, and other environmental variables on child and young adolescent learning. Exploration of different types of play, teacher roles during play, and how play connects with different domains. Fieldwork in diverse settings. *Does not require admission into the Teacher Education Program. Crosslisted with PS 2610. Prerequisite or corequisite: ED 1010 (min grade C). Offered: Spring.
  

  Child Development

  3 Credits

  PS2610

  Survey of the basic theories and research on human growth and development from conception through late childhood, emphasizing the physiological, cognitive, social, emotional, and cultural changes associated with human life.
  

  Learning, Assessment, and Individual Differences

  3 Credits

  ED2321

  Behavioral and cognitive learning theories, complex cognitive processes, motivation in learning and teaching. Classroom assessment, evaluation, and standardized testing. Consideration of student differences (i.e., culture, cognitive differences, and exceptionalities) and how such differences affect assessment, motivation, and learning.
  

  Literacy Across The Curriculum

  3 Credits

  ED2510

  The Foundations of Literacy course provides a scientifically based foundation in the cognitive, socio-cultural, linguistic, and motivational influences on literacy and language development. The course presents the key scientifically based reading research foundations needed to understand how reading develops and effective methods and strategies used to teach literacy skills including writing to young children through young adults. Topics include understanding reading research, cognitive psychology’s contributions to understanding the reading process, language development, the sequence of learning to read, the essential components of reading instruction, what research says about writing and writing instruction, and an introduction to the most effective approaches to teaching reading and writing across the grade bands. Includes field experience. Field assignment related to licensure and content area. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details. Offered: Fall.
  

  Understanding and Utilizing Assessment in P-5 Education Settings

  3 Credits

  ED3011

  Requires formal admission to teacher education and Primary licensure. Creating, selecting, and using appropriate informal and formal assessments to understand and plan for student development and learning across the social, emotional, cognitive, physical and language domains. Emphasis on how to share information with families and colleagues. Fieldwork in diverse settings in either a K-1 or 2-3 classroom. Offered: Fall. Prerequisite: ED 1010 (min grade C) and ED 2110 (min grade C), and formal admission to teacher education and Primary licensure. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Integrated Humanities Methods

  3 Credits

  ED3021

  Examination of integrated approach to promote the development of the humanities—the study of human society and culture—from preschool through grade 5. Will cover planning, teaching, and assessing to promote skills and knowledge in social studies, history, digital literacy, and the arts, alongside interdisciplinary content methods. Focus on using an in-depth content knowledge and an integrative approach across the disciplines. Field work in a diverse setting in a grade 4 or 5 classroom. Reserve at least one morning or afternoon a week for field hours. Offered: Every Spring. Prerequisites: ED 2411, ED 2421, ED 2431, ED 2410, ED 2420, ED 2430. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Ed3524

  ED3524

  This course is designed to teach the fundamental principles and concepts of the structure of language, with a focus on phonological awareness and phonics. Students learn the sound-symbol correspondences of language and understand the relationship of phonemic awareness and the phonological system of language to the reading process. Students also study the linguistic and cognitive bases of reading. Includes field experience. Offered: Spring and Summer. Prerequisite or corequisite: ED 255 or ED2510 (min grade of C).
  

  Integrated P - 5 Curriculum and Methods

  3 Credits

  ED4061

  Using child development principles, research-based practices and standards to inform planning, instruction and assessment. Further discussion of developmentally appropriate practice, particularly in effective planning and teaching strategies as well as classroom systems for guiding behavior. Also, in-depth study of the principles and practices of an integrated curriculum approach. Practicum (during class time) placement in a diverse P-5 setting that utilizes an integrated curriculum approach. Offered: Fall. Prerequisite or corequisite: ED 3021 and ED ED 3031. Corequisite: ED 4961. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Primary Education Seminar

  3 Credits

  ED4071

  Integrates entire preservice preparation. Draws on past and current field experiences and course work to further explore topics related to P-5 childhood education toward developing a coherent model of teaching children ages 3 – 12. Includes an intensive performance assessment related to student teaching required for program completion. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details. Corequisites: ED 4971 and admission to the professional semester. Offered: Fall and Spring.
  

  Literacy Assessment and Intervention

  3 Credits

  ED4534

  Gaining familiarity with formal and informal tools for assessing literacy development with emphasis on planning, implementing, and evaluating intervention strategies. Examines assessment as an ongoing process integrated with the teaching of reading and writing. Includes clinical experience and field experience. Develop three major ideas: (1) assessment guides literacy instruction; (2) assessments (formative and summative) should be reliable and valid; and (3) knowledgeable and skilled teachers implement effective assessment-intervention practices. Includes ample opportunities to select and use reading and writing assessment tools, interpret assessment data and align instruction with assessment information. Includes field experience. Prerequisites or corequisites: ((ED 255 or ED 2510) and (ED 355 or ED 3524)) or ((ED 452 or ED 5510 and (ED 454 or ED 5524)).Offered: Fall.
  

  Literacy Methods Practicum

  3 Credits

  ED4544

  Practicum experience that includes advanced examination of various literacy methods and techniques for instructional planning and development of intervention plans based on assessment and diagnosis of reading abilities. Site-based course. Includes tutoring within a practicum setting. Prerequisite: ED 4534 (min grade of C). Offered: Spring.
  

  Integrated P-5 Curriculum and Methods Lab

  0 Credits

  ED4961

  Primary teachers will be required to observe, practice, and reflect on approaches to P-5 curriculum and methods as part of pre-student teaching (PST) experience. PST requires one full day (or equivalent) per week in a K-5 classroom. Offered: Fall and Spring. Prerequisites: (ED 331 or ED 3021) and (ED 332 or ED 3031), acceptance into pre-student teaching. Corequisite: ED 4061. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Directed Teaching in Primary Settings

  9 Credits

  ED4971

  Solidifies knowledge and competencies required of teachers through observation and teaching in pre-K to 5th-grade settings and classrooms under the joint supervision of University and school personnel. Requires a full-time, full-semester placement at a P-5 setting. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details. Corequisites: ED 4071 and admission to the professional semester. Offered: Fall and Spring.
  

  Foundations in Primary Education

  3 Credits

  ED2011

  Introduction to becoming an early childhood professional, with a focus on the history of the field as well as current models and approaches to a P-5 curriculum, planning and instruction. Includes an introduction to ethical decision-making and effective practices for working with families. Theory and research on developmentally appropriate practices will be examined and verbal and non-verbal ways to promote self-regulation and social behaviors. Fieldwork in diverse settings in pre-school and kindergarten. Reserve at least one morning per week for field hours.Prerequisites: ED 1010 (min grade C) and or ED 2110 (min grade C) and formal admission to teacher education. Crosslisted with ED 5311, ED 5021. Offered: Spring.
  

  Child and Young Adolescent Development

  3 Credits

  ED2311

  Understanding development, birth through age 12 across, developmental domains, including social-emotional development. Examination of the influence of home and early childhood environmental factors, including the effects of trauma, toxic stress, and other environmental variables on child and young adolescent learning. Exploration of different types of play, teacher roles during play, and how play connects with different domains. Fieldwork in diverse settings. *Does not require admission into the Teacher Education Program. Crosslisted with PS 2610. Prerequisite or corequisite: ED 1010 (min grade C). Offered: Spring.
  

  Child Development

  3 Credits

  PS2610

  Survey of the basic theories and research on human growth and development from conception through late childhood, emphasizing the physiological, cognitive, social, emotional, and cultural changes associated with human life.
  

  Literacy Across The Curriculum

  3 Credits

  ED2510

  The Foundations of Literacy course provides a scientifically based foundation in the cognitive, socio-cultural, linguistic, and motivational influences on literacy and language development. The course presents the key scientifically based reading research foundations needed to understand how reading develops and effective methods and strategies used to teach literacy skills including writing to young children through young adults. Topics include understanding reading research, cognitive psychology’s contributions to understanding the reading process, language development, the sequence of learning to read, the essential components of reading instruction, what research says about writing and writing instruction, and an introduction to the most effective approaches to teaching reading and writing across the grade bands. Includes field experience. Field assignment related to licensure and content area. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details. Offered: Fall.
  

  Understanding and Utilizing Assessment in P-5 Education Settings

  3 Credits

  ED3011

  Requires formal admission to teacher education and Primary licensure. Creating, selecting, and using appropriate informal and formal assessments to understand and plan for student development and learning across the social, emotional, cognitive, physical and language domains. Emphasis on how to share information with families and colleagues. Fieldwork in diverse settings in either a K-1 or 2-3 classroom. Offered: Fall. Prerequisite: ED 1010 (min grade C) and ED 2110 (min grade C), and formal admission to teacher education and Primary licensure. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Integrated Humanities Methods

  3 Credits

  ED3021

  Examination of integrated approach to promote the development of the humanities—the study of human society and culture—from preschool through grade 5. Will cover planning, teaching, and assessing to promote skills and knowledge in social studies, history, digital literacy, and the arts, alongside interdisciplinary content methods. Focus on using an in-depth content knowledge and an integrative approach across the disciplines. Field work in a diverse setting in a grade 4 or 5 classroom. Reserve at least one morning or afternoon a week for field hours. Offered: Every Spring. Prerequisites: ED 2411, ED 2421, ED 2431, ED 2410, ED 2420, ED 2430. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Ed3524

  ED3524

  This course is designed to teach the fundamental principles and concepts of the structure of language, with a focus on phonological awareness and phonics. Students learn the sound-symbol correspondences of language and understand the relationship of phonemic awareness and the phonological system of language to the reading process. Students also study the linguistic and cognitive bases of reading. Includes field experience. Offered: Spring and Summer. Prerequisite or corequisite: ED 255 or ED2510 (min grade of C).
  

  Integrated P - 5 Curriculum and Methods

  3 Credits

  ED4061

  Using child development principles, research-based practices and standards to inform planning, instruction and assessment. Further discussion of developmentally appropriate practice, particularly in effective planning and teaching strategies as well as classroom systems for guiding behavior. Also, in-depth study of the principles and practices of an integrated curriculum approach. Practicum (during class time) placement in a diverse P-5 setting that utilizes an integrated curriculum approach. Offered: Fall. Prerequisite or corequisite: ED 3021 and ED ED 3031. Corequisite: ED 4961. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Primary Education Seminar

  3 Credits

  ED4071

  Integrates entire preservice preparation. Draws on past and current field experiences and course work to further explore topics related to P-5 childhood education toward developing a coherent model of teaching children ages 3 – 12. Includes an intensive performance assessment related to student teaching required for program completion. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details. Corequisites: ED 4971 and admission to the professional semester. Offered: Fall and Spring.
  

  Literacy Assessment and Intervention

  3 Credits

  ED4534

  Gaining familiarity with formal and informal tools for assessing literacy development with emphasis on planning, implementing, and evaluating intervention strategies. Examines assessment as an ongoing process integrated with the teaching of reading and writing. Includes clinical experience and field experience. Develop three major ideas: (1) assessment guides literacy instruction; (2) assessments (formative and summative) should be reliable and valid; and (3) knowledgeable and skilled teachers implement effective assessment-intervention practices. Includes ample opportunities to select and use reading and writing assessment tools, interpret assessment data and align instruction with assessment information. Includes field experience. Prerequisites or corequisites: ((ED 255 or ED 2510) and (ED 355 or ED 3524)) or ((ED 452 or ED 5510 and (ED 454 or ED 5524)).Offered: Fall.
  

  Literacy Methods Practicum

  3 Credits

  ED4544

  Practicum experience that includes advanced examination of various literacy methods and techniques for instructional planning and development of intervention plans based on assessment and diagnosis of reading abilities. Site-based course. Includes tutoring within a practicum setting. Prerequisite: ED 4534 (min grade of C). Offered: Spring.
  

  Integrated P-5 Curriculum and Methods Lab

  0 Credits

  ED4961

  Primary teachers will be required to observe, practice, and reflect on approaches to P-5 curriculum and methods as part of pre-student teaching (PST) experience. PST requires one full day (or equivalent) per week in a K-5 classroom. Offered: Fall and Spring. Prerequisites: (ED 331 or ED 3021) and (ED 332 or ED 3031), acceptance into pre-student teaching. Corequisite: ED 4061. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Directed Teaching in Primary Settings

  9 Credits

  ED4971

  Solidifies knowledge and competencies required of teachers through observation and teaching in pre-K to 5th-grade settings and classrooms under the joint supervision of University and school personnel. Requires a full-time, full-semester placement at a P-5 setting. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details. Corequisites: ED 4071 and admission to the professional semester. Offered: Fall and Spring.
  

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• Content Knowledge

  Sci: Interdisciplinary Stem I: Physical Sciences

  3 Credits

  ED2410

  Part I of an interdisciplinary, hands-on, laboratory-based, and activities-rich approach to STEM. Students investigate forces and motion, the chemical and physical properties of matter, the ways in which matter interacts within the natural world, the fundamental forces of nature, and the types and properties of energy. Topics align with Ohio’s Learning Standards and Model Curriculum for Science and focus on the strand of Physical Sciences (PS). Offered: Fall.
  

  Teaching and Learning the Structure of Real Numbers and Operations

  3 Credits

  ED2411

  Teaching and Learning the Structure of the Real Numbers and Operations is a surprisingly complex course. To be an effective teacher of mathematics, you need a thorough and deep knowledge of numbers and their structure. This course provides a comprehensive exploration of counting, number systems (base ten, whole numbers, fractions, decimals, integers, irrationals, complex), and number operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), particularly as these topics relate to early childhood, elementary and middle school education. In this course, we focus on current mathematics teaching pedagogy and best practices in planning mathematics instruction. Offered: Fall.
  

  Sci: Interdisiplinary Stem II: Earth/Space and Life Sciences

  3 Credits

  ED2420

  Part II of an interdisciplinary, hands-on, laboratory-based, and activities-rich approach to STEM. In Earth and Space Sciences, students investigate Earth’s history, structure, weather, atmosphere, geologic time, as well as space exploration, the solar system, and the universe. In Life Sciences, students investigate plant structure and function, photosynthesis, respiration, the diversity of life, DNA structure and replication, and cell structure and function. Topics align with Ohio’s Learning Standards and Model Curriculum for Science and focus on the strands of Earth and Space Science and Life Sciences (ESS & LS). Offered: Spring.
  

  Ed2421

  ED2421

  Teaching and Learning Proportional, Algebraic and Geometric Reasoning is a continuation of the mathematics and pedagogy explored in ED 2411. We consider additional topics in number theory, proportion, algebra, geometry and measurement. To be an effective teacher of mathematics, you need a thorough and deep knowledge of the topics of this course. We will demonstrate ways in which various models, visual, verbal, physical, and symbolic are used to convey mathematics instruction in early childhood, elementary, and middle school settings. In this course, we focus on current mathematics teaching pedagogy and best practices in planning mathematics instruction. There will be field hours with this course. Offered: Spring.
  

  Sci: Interdisciplinary Stem III: Science Inquiry and Applications

  3 Credits

  ED2430

  Part III of an interdisciplinary, hands-on, laboratory-based, and activities-rich approach to STEM. Students investigate the scientific method, STEM challenge events, myth-busting, engineering design challenges, open-ended design challenges, and laboratory safety. Topics align with Ohio’s Learning Standards and Model Curriculum for Science and focus on the strand Science Inquiry and Applications (Sci Inq. & Appl.). Offered: Fall.
  

  Qa: Making Sense of Data in Education

  3 Credits

  ED2431

  This course covers probability and statistics for k-8 students: how to display and interpret data in graphs (picture graphs, bar graphs, and line plots) to solve problems using numbers and operations. We will also discuss how to teach computational thinking in k-8 classrooms. In addition, it provides an intuitive introduction to applied statistical reasoning. You will learn how to interpret individual test scores as a teacher; how to analyze a sample of test scores as a teacher; and the basic rationale of the value-added model for teacher evaluation. The core content includes the key ideas and principles of the collection, display, and analysis of data, as well as the process of inquiry and evaluation used in investigations in the fields of education and behavioral sciences. Offered: Fall.
  

  Ed3221

  ED3221

  For primary education program students. Critical analysis of various genres of literature for children focusing on multicultural literature and the relevance of literature across disciplines. Offered: Fall.
  

  Intro-Econ Problems & Policies

  EC1101

  Survey of current socioeconomic issues and problems: market structure, costs and competition, international trade, environmental concerns, economic growth, financial panics, inflation, and unemployment. Uses basic economic concepts and analytical tools. Cannot be used to satisfy the part of an EC major, the business core for business majors, or the business minor.
  

  Soc: United States Politics

  3 Credits

  PO1100

  The U.S. political system in theory and practice; political processes, institutions, individual and group behavior; the relationship of the political system to the organizational and economic environments.
  

  World Geography

  3 Credits

  HS2071

  Thorough review of place geography; relationships between humans and the physical environment, including climate, soils, resources, and landforms. Analysis of regional areas. Prerequisite: EN 125 or EN 1250 or equivalent.
  

  Link: Atlantic World to 1700

  3 Credits

  HS2051

  Examines the early history of European exploration of the Atlantic World. Shaped by new diseases, new plants and animals, new technologies, and new political configurations, the New World gave rise to new sets of identities, as people from Europe, Africa, and the Americas adapted to circumstances out of necessity. Prerequisite: EN 125 or EN 1250 or equivalent. Corequisite: EN 2612.
  

  To1700

  TO1700

  Link: Captives and Castaways in the Atlantic World

  3 Credits

  EN2612

  Survey of Spanish and English literature--including travel writing, drama, and captivity narratives--portraying contact in a trans Atlantic world between 1500 and 1700. Features works by Columbus, De Vaca, Shakespeare, Behn, and Rowlandson. Corequisite: HS 2051. Prerequisite: EN 121 or EN 1210 or EN 125 or EN 1250 or equivalent.
  

  Sci: Interdisciplinary Stem I: Physical Sciences

  3 Credits

  ED2410

  Part I of an interdisciplinary, hands-on, laboratory-based, and activities-rich approach to STEM. Students investigate forces and motion, the chemical and physical properties of matter, the ways in which matter interacts within the natural world, the fundamental forces of nature, and the types and properties of energy. Topics align with Ohio’s Learning Standards and Model Curriculum for Science and focus on the strand of Physical Sciences (PS). Offered: Fall.
  

  Teaching and Learning the Structure of Real Numbers and Operations

  3 Credits

  ED2411

  Teaching and Learning the Structure of the Real Numbers and Operations is a surprisingly complex course. To be an effective teacher of mathematics, you need a thorough and deep knowledge of numbers and their structure. This course provides a comprehensive exploration of counting, number systems (base ten, whole numbers, fractions, decimals, integers, irrationals, complex), and number operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), particularly as these topics relate to early childhood, elementary and middle school education. In this course, we focus on current mathematics teaching pedagogy and best practices in planning mathematics instruction. Offered: Fall.
  

  Sci: Interdisiplinary Stem II: Earth/Space and Life Sciences

  3 Credits

  ED2420

  Part II of an interdisciplinary, hands-on, laboratory-based, and activities-rich approach to STEM. In Earth and Space Sciences, students investigate Earth’s history, structure, weather, atmosphere, geologic time, as well as space exploration, the solar system, and the universe. In Life Sciences, students investigate plant structure and function, photosynthesis, respiration, the diversity of life, DNA structure and replication, and cell structure and function. Topics align with Ohio’s Learning Standards and Model Curriculum for Science and focus on the strands of Earth and Space Science and Life Sciences (ESS & LS). Offered: Spring.
  

  Ed2421

  ED2421

  Teaching and Learning Proportional, Algebraic and Geometric Reasoning is a continuation of the mathematics and pedagogy explored in ED 2411. We consider additional topics in number theory, proportion, algebra, geometry and measurement. To be an effective teacher of mathematics, you need a thorough and deep knowledge of the topics of this course. We will demonstrate ways in which various models, visual, verbal, physical, and symbolic are used to convey mathematics instruction in early childhood, elementary, and middle school settings. In this course, we focus on current mathematics teaching pedagogy and best practices in planning mathematics instruction. There will be field hours with this course. Offered: Spring.
  

  Sci: Interdisciplinary Stem III: Science Inquiry and Applications

  3 Credits

  ED2430

  Part III of an interdisciplinary, hands-on, laboratory-based, and activities-rich approach to STEM. Students investigate the scientific method, STEM challenge events, myth-busting, engineering design challenges, open-ended design challenges, and laboratory safety. Topics align with Ohio’s Learning Standards and Model Curriculum for Science and focus on the strand Science Inquiry and Applications (Sci Inq. & Appl.). Offered: Fall.
  

  Qa: Making Sense of Data in Education

  3 Credits

  ED2431

  This course covers probability and statistics for k-8 students: how to display and interpret data in graphs (picture graphs, bar graphs, and line plots) to solve problems using numbers and operations. We will also discuss how to teach computational thinking in k-8 classrooms. In addition, it provides an intuitive introduction to applied statistical reasoning. You will learn how to interpret individual test scores as a teacher; how to analyze a sample of test scores as a teacher; and the basic rationale of the value-added model for teacher evaluation. The core content includes the key ideas and principles of the collection, display, and analysis of data, as well as the process of inquiry and evaluation used in investigations in the fields of education and behavioral sciences. Offered: Fall.
  

  Ed3221

  ED3221

  For primary education program students. Critical analysis of various genres of literature for children focusing on multicultural literature and the relevance of literature across disciplines. Offered: Fall.
  

  Intro-Econ Problems & Policies

  EC1101

  Survey of current socioeconomic issues and problems: market structure, costs and competition, international trade, environmental concerns, economic growth, financial panics, inflation, and unemployment. Uses basic economic concepts and analytical tools. Cannot be used to satisfy the part of an EC major, the business core for business majors, or the business minor.
  

  Soc: United States Politics

  3 Credits

  PO1100

  The U.S. political system in theory and practice; political processes, institutions, individual and group behavior; the relationship of the political system to the organizational and economic environments.
  

  World Geography

  3 Credits

  HS2071

  Thorough review of place geography; relationships between humans and the physical environment, including climate, soils, resources, and landforms. Analysis of regional areas. Prerequisite: EN 125 or EN 1250 or equivalent.
  

  Link: Atlantic World to 1700

  3 Credits

  HS2051

  Examines the early history of European exploration of the Atlantic World. Shaped by new diseases, new plants and animals, new technologies, and new political configurations, the New World gave rise to new sets of identities, as people from Europe, Africa, and the Americas adapted to circumstances out of necessity. Prerequisite: EN 125 or EN 1250 or equivalent. Corequisite: EN 2612.
  

  To1700

  TO1700

  Link: Captives and Castaways in the Atlantic World

  3 Credits

  EN2612

  Survey of Spanish and English literature--including travel writing, drama, and captivity narratives--portraying contact in a trans Atlantic world between 1500 and 1700. Features works by Columbus, De Vaca, Shakespeare, Behn, and Rowlandson. Corequisite: HS 2051. Prerequisite: EN 121 or EN 1210 or EN 125 or EN 1250 or equivalent.
  

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• Intervention Specialist

  Ed2611

  ED2611

  Mild/Moderate Support Services

  3 Credits

  ED2621

  Students in this course address service, transitional and resources issues, strategies, techniques used to integrate students with mild/moderate disabilities into diverse educational, social and community settings. Emphasis is on service delivery needs and issues for families; career vocational, health/medical and safety issues, training and intervention/prevention services; working with and guiding paraprofessionals; and support services for at risk students which includes legal aspects and responsibilities. First Aid and CPR training and certification required. Required field experience in diverse settings - 10 field hours. Prerequisites ED 2110 School and Society & ED 2610 Exceptional Children.
  NOTE: For dual-licensure students, this is an 8-week long asynchronous online course taken through Xavier University.
  

  Special Ed: Communication & Collaboration

  3 Credits

  ED2631

  This course addresses Teambuilding. Teambuilding covers Team Purpose, Stages of Team Development, Team Member Roles, Team Communication, Team Processes, and Team Leadership. More specifically, this course will look at the following: the issues and practices concerning family systems and role of family; models and strategies for consultation and collaboration; effective communication with families, school personnel; and, professional ethics, responsibilities and confidentiality. Learning Leaders experience self-assessment and interpersonal skills needed for teaming and collaboration in educational settings with parents, teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, and other specialists covering all exceptionalities and cultural settings as well as role playing, and small group practices in teaming and collaboration. Required field experience in diverse settings - 5 hours. Prerequisite ED 2311 Child and YA Development.
  NOTE: For dual licensure students, to be taken online through Xavier University.
  

  Special Education: Behavior & Social Skills Management

  3 Credits

  ED3611

  This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge to develop and implement instructional and behavioral plans and programs for students with emotional and behavior problems that address social skills; strategies for crises prevention and intervention; self advocacy; procedures to increase self-awareness, self-management, self control; self-reliance, and self-esteem; self-enhancing behavior in response to societal attitudes and actions. Students will be prepared to manage verbal and physical acting out behaviors. Required field experiences in diverse settings - 8 hours. Prerequisite ED 2011 Foundations of Primary Education.
  NOTE: For dual-licensure students, this is an 8-week long asynchronous online course taken through Xavier University.
  

  Communication Strategies & Techniques

  3 Credits

  ED3621

  This course will focus on understanding and implementation of everyday functional communication methods and techniques through various theories, systems and technologies for individual students with moderate and intensive needs; classroom strategies and techniques in learning environment; selection/implementation of augmentative or alternative communication devices/systems; adaptations/assistive technology; medical care and methods with technology/family support and resources. LAB field experience is required with documentation. Prerequisites: ED 2110 School and Society; ED 2610 Exceptional Children.
  NOTE: For dual-licensure students, this is an 8-week long asynchronous online course taken through Xavier University.
  

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Related Programs

Still exploring your options? JCU offers education programs across grade levels and disciplines.

• Adolescent/Young Adult Education
• Middle Childhood Education
• Teaching Mathematics

Where Our Alumni Go

Our education alumni teach in public and private schools in Ohio and around the country. Many advance into school and district leadership, and others use their teaching and curriculum development experience to serve community organizations.