Course Description
Examination of candidate competencies in middle grades social studies instruction. Emphases include practical and theoretical attention to curriculum development, planning, resources, standards, instructional strategies, and assessment. Prerequisite: MDED major.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- Students will learn theory, resources, and methods to teach social studies content in ways that promote student engagement, critical thinking, and active learning.
- Students will learn how to synthesizing content into units and individual lessons, work with state and national standards, and use a wide variety of strategies to relay content.
- Students will develop the skills needed to be successful on the edTPA assessment that they will have to take next semester.
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Quizzes | 10% |
| Sample Lesson Plan | 5% |
| Practicum Discussion Questions | 5% |
| Videotaped Teaching and Reflection | 10% |
| Mini-Lessons | 10% |
| Primary Source Lesson | 15% |
| Webquest | 15% |
| Final Project | 30% |
Final numerical grades will be averaged and assigned a letter equivalent based on the scale below. When a numerical average falls between two letter grades, an average of .5 or higher will round up.
Grading Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 100% | A+ |
| 95-99% | A |
| 90-94% | A- |
| 87-89% | B+ |
| 83-86% | B |
| 80-82% | B- |
| 77-79% | C+ |
| 73-76% | C |
| 70-72% | C- |
| 67-69% | D+ |
| 63-66% | D |
| 60-62% | D- |
| 0-59% | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Teacher licensure is an example of a professional program mandated by the state which requires a minimum number of contact hours for students. Therefore, in accordance with department policy, students’ final grades will be lowered if there are an excessive number of absences. Everyone will get one “freebie” absence. Each subsequent absence (no matter if it is “excused” or “unexcused”), will result in the final course grade being lowered (e.g., two missed classes = one letter grade lower, three missed classes = two letter grades lower). Four or more absences will result in failure of the course. In addition, three tardies (arriving late or leaving early) will equal one absence from class. This policy is in addition to other academic incentives for prompt attendance to each course session.
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.