Course Description
Students will explore the developmental needs of early adolescents, analyze educational practices designed to meet those needs and investigate issues identified in internship experiences. Prerequisite: TED 250.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- Analyze the characteristics of effective middle schools.
- Describe the characteristics of effective middle school teachers.
- Develop a vision of teaching and learning reflective of the philosophies and practices that best serve the needs of adolescents.
- Apply basic principles of cognitive, physical, social, emotional, identity, and cultural development to the teaching of young adolescents.
- Understand the concepts of belonging, autonomy, and identity,and how they affect the teaching and learning of young adolescents.
- Understand adolescent needs and interests and their implications for curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
- Design learning opportunities and experiences that are active, purposeful, and student-centered.
- Design an interdisciplinary unit of instruction that integrates knowledge across subject areas and makes connections to various concepts and topics.
- Understand how to support and deepen student learning through authentic assessments and timely feedback.
- Understand how organizational structures, leadership, and stakeholders affect meaningful teaching and learning.
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Observe, Connect, and Reflect (due weekly) | 15% |
| Weekly readings, learning tasks, and class participation (due weekly) | 20% |
| Midterm Exam (due Tuesday, September 22, 2026) | 15% |
| “Who Are My Students?” Project (due Tuesday, October 21, 2025) | 15% |
| This I Believe: My Vision for Middle Grades Teaching and Learning (due Tuesday, November 10, 2026) | 15% |
| Integrated Curriculum Unit & Presentation (due Tuesday, December 8, 2026 @ 7:00 pm) | 20% |
Attendance/Participation:
Participation/Professionalism: 100% attendance, preparation for, and participation during each class are expected and highly valued in this class.
More than one absence will affect your grade in this course because class time and required participation in discussions, demonstrations, and peer sharing cannot be made up.
Arriving late or leaving early will also affect your grade in this course.
2 absences will result in lowering the final grade by one grade letter.
3 absences will result in lowering the final grade by two grade letters.
4 absences will result in an F for the course.
3 tardies will result in one absence. Tardy includes arriving late or leaving early.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
No course materials are required.
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.