Middle Grades Curriculum and Instruction

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Analyze the characteristics of effective middle grades curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

• Explain major theories and principles of young adolescent development and their implications for teaching and learning.

• Evaluate curricular materials and instructional resources for alignment with middle grades best practices.

• Design standards-based learning experiences that are engaging, relevant, and responsive to the needs of young adolescents.

• Apply instructional strategies that promote student engagement, collaboration, and active learning.

• Design assessments that measure student learning and inform instructional decision making.

• Analyze student learning data to determine instructional strengths, areas for improvement, and next instructional steps.

• Develop instructional plans that address the diverse academic, social, emotional, linguistic, and cultural needs of middle grades learners.

• Reflect on professional practice and use evidence to improve teaching and student learning.

• Demonstrate the ability to connect middle grades philosophy, curriculum, instruction, and assessment to effective classroom practice.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Weekly Learning Modules, Discussions, and Learning Tasks (due weekly)	20%
Classroom Observation and Reflection Assignments (due throughout semester)	15%
Adolescent Learner Profile Project	15%
Curriculum and Instruction Analysis Project	15%
Instructional Improvement Plan	15%
Final Instructional Unit Project	20%

Attendance/Participation:

Because this course is delivered fully online, active participation is expected through completion of weekly learning modules, discussions, assignments, and course activities.

Students are expected to:

Complete all required readings and learning activities.

Participate in online discussions and collaborative learning opportunities.

Submit assignments by the posted deadlines.

Engage professionally with peers and the instructor.

Because candidates are employed as classroom teachers, course assignments are designed to connect directly to current teaching responsibilities and classroom practice.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Brown, D. F., & Knowles, T. (2014). What every middle school teacher should know (3rd ed.). Heinemann. ISBN 978-0325057552

Bishop, P. A., & Harrison, L. M. (2021). The successful middle school: This we believe. Association for Middle Level Education. ISBN 978-1-56090-304-8