Elementary Education Major
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN FLORIDA HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED PENDING ACCREDITOR APPROVAL. CURRENT STUDENTS MAY FINISH THEIR PROGRAM USING THEIR CATALOG OF ADMISSION.
The major consists of 63 credit hours. Coursework provides needed credit hours to qualify for elementary certification from the State of Florida plus two endorsements: ESOL and Reading.IDS 105 is a prerequisite.
Note
Upon notification from the Florida Department of Education credit hours and course listings are subject to change.
This program is offered in-person and at a distance (hybrid).
ADDITIONAL LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS
In order to become a certified teacher in the state of Florida candidates must pass the appropriate subject area test(s), the General Knowledge Test, as well as any other requirements set forth by the state legislature. Consult the program advisor for specific information.
Goals
In addition to the goals that span the Trinity Florida undergraduate curriculum as a whole, the elementary education major has these unique goals:
- Theoretical Foundation: understanding of the varied education trends and methods in the educational world and ability to apply this understanding to practical teaching situations.
- Issues Analysis: awareness of key issues in the field of education and ability to delineate a critically reflective stand on those issues.
- Applied Communication Intervention: ability to analyze actions, diagnose problems, and design effective and ethical educational interventions.
This major provides students with the skills, attitudes, and credentials necessary to enter elementary school teaching. Students who successfully complete the major are prepared to meet the requirements for certification in Florida public schools in accordance with the State of Florida Teacher Certification rules.
Program Outcomes
Students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education will be able to:
- demonstrate instructional design and lesson planning strategies,
- create an effective learning environment,
- demonstrate knowledge of instructional delivery and facilitation methods,
- understand assessment methods and outcomes,
- undertake continuous professional development,
- demonstrate knowledge of research-based practices, and
- demonstrate knowledge of literacy strategies.
Program Specifics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ED 104 | Introduction to Education | 3 |
| ED 234 | Children's Literature for Elementary Educators | 3 |
| ED 257 | Technology for Elementary Educators | 3 |
| ED 305 | Reading Fundamentals | 3 |
| ED 330 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| ED 332 | Reading: Literacy Development and Assessment | 3 |
| ED 339 | Fundamentals of Elementary Education | 3 |
| ED 344 | Social Studies Methods in the Elementary Classroom | 3 |
| ED 346 | Elementary Science Methods | 3 |
| ED 347 | Elementary Math Methods | 3 |
| ED 351 | Language Arts Methods | 3 |
| ED 404 | ESOL Methods | 3 |
| ED 416 | Teaching Reading in the Content Areas | 3 |
| ED 423 | Classroom Management for Elementary Educators | 3 |
| ED 431 | Assessment of Learners | 3 |
| ED 435 | ESOL Curriculum and Materials Development | 3 |
| ED 436 | Applied Linguistics: ESOL | 3 |
| ED 438 | Cultural Dimensions of ESOL 1 | 3 |
| ED 439 | Testing and Evaluation of ESOL | 3 |
| ED 481 | Field Study# 1 (Reading) | 1 |
| ED 482 | Field Study #2 (Reading) | 1 |
| ED 483 | Student Teaching in the Elementary School 2, 3 | 10 |
| Total Hours | 69 | |
- 1
ED 438 fulfills both a requirement of the major and a General Education Social Science requirement.
- 2
Candidates must maintain a GPA of 2.50 in all courses, complete the fingerprinting process, and be approved by the Program Director before being permitted to begin Student Teaching. Student Teaching must be passed with a grade of B or better and comprises 13 weeks with 1 week counting as Field Study #3 in Reading.
- 3
During the semester of student teaching, the student must be available during regular school hours and not be employed full time. This is an intense time of work, and student teachers must give full attention to teaching. The student must have all courses completed, and no other coursework may be taken during the student teaching experience.
Note
Any student applying to the Elementary Education degree program should be aware that certain experiences in their background can preclude them from eligibility to work in the state of Florida as an Educator pursuant to Florida Statute 1012.32. Please check the following websites to have a clearer understand of the local and state background checks to ensure that your graduation will not be delayed: Florida Statues or Florida Department of Education.
Candidates are required to take the General Knowledge Exam within the first four courses of the major. In addition, students must take and pass the Subject Area Exam and the Professional Education Exam in accordance with the sequence of the cohort schedule provided by their academic advisor.
Required General Education Courses
In addition to the program-specific courses, candidates must complete the following specific General Education Courses as part of their program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GE Courses Required for Elementary Education Program | ||
| COM 112 | Speech 3 | 3 |
| ED 260X | Educational Psychology/Human Development 2 | 3 |
| or PSY 260X | Educational Psychology/Human Development | |
| MA 117 | Mathematics in the Modern World 1 | 3 |
| SOC 330 | Race and Ethnic Relations 2 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
- 1
General Education Category: Math
- 2
General Education Category: Social Science
- 3
General Education Category: Humanities
Note
Although all courses can be completed in a distance/hybrid modality, this program cannot be completed entirely in a distance/hybrid modality as it includes field experiences, internships, and/or similar components that may require in-person participation on site.
ED 104 Introduction to Education - 3 Hours
A survey of education in the United States from historical, philosophical, and sociological perspectives. Attention is given to the role of education in a culturally diverse society. Elementary Education core. Prerequisite: IDS 105 (core requirement). Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 110 Certified Childcare Professional Credential I - 5 Hours
Initial steps in creating an ePortfolio to include a portion of 180 clock hours of training, a portion of 720 hours of professional experience, letters of recommendation, writing samples and an observation at the workplace. This course will satisfy Florida DCF's FCCPC teacher requirement for educators of childcare programs. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduates.
ED 111 Certified Childcare Professional Credential II - 5 Hours
?Continuation of the building of an ePortfolio to completion 180 clock hours of training and to completion of 720 hours of professional experience, letters of recommendation, writing samples and an observation at the workplace. This course will satisfy Florida DCF's FCCPC teacher requirement for educators of childcare programs. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduates.
ED 230 Introduction to Special Education - 3 Hours
A survey course considering the gifted and those challenged by mental retardation, visual impairment, hearing impairment, learning disabilities, physical problems, behavior problems, speech and language development and those who are culturally disadvantaged. Elementary Education core. Prerequisite: IDS 105 (core requirement). Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 234 Children's Literature for Elementary Educators - 3 Hours
A survey and critical study by genre of literature for children. Integrates culturally diverse literature. Does not fulfill a humanities General Education requirement. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 257 Technology for Elementary Educators - 3 Hours
The utilization of educational technology, with an emphasis on individual and cooperative learning, integration of disciplines, and learning styles. Students become familiar with application software, teaching methods, and unit and lesson planning that integrate technology in the elementary classroom. Elementary Education core. Prerequisite: IDS 105 (core requirement). Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 260X Educational Psychology/Human Development - 3 Hours
A survey of the theories and philosophies of learning and human development in children and adolescents. Emphasis is placed on the cognitive processes associated with learning and the factors that influence motivation and engagement of children and adolescents. The learning and motivation of diverse populations is addressed through the lens of Universal Design for Learning. Prerequisite: three credit hours in psychology and at least sophomore standing. Cross-listed with PSY 260X. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 305 Reading Fundamentals - 3 Hours
Theories and methodologies for understanding the reading process and facilitating effective reading instruction in grades K-6. It includes the development of comprehension, vocabulary and word attacking skills. Elementary Education core. Prerequisite IDS 105 (core requirement) and ED 339. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 307 Elementary Art Education - 2 Hours
Prepares meaningful and creative art activities for an elementary classroom. Principles, materials, and methods of art for elementary children are compared. Elementary Education core. Prerequisite IDS 105 (core requirement) and ED 399. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 315 National Administrator Credential - 3 Hours
?Methods and materials for training for an early childhood program or center administrator. Topics include best practices for topics such as child care history, effective organizations, internal and external systems, legal, human resources, educational programming, marketing and public relations, financial management, operational planning, and advocacy. This course will satisfy Florida DCF's Overview of Childcare Management requirement for directors of childcare programs.? Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduates.
ED 330 Introduction to Special Education - 3 Hours
A survey of the history, practices, and challenges of special education, including an overview of the court cases and laws leading to IDEA and how these laws affect children with disabilities. This course addresses the cognitive, emotional, physical, and sensory needs of students with disabilities. Emphasis is placed on identification of individual needs, including tiered support systems, and appropriate resources, collaborative teams, concerns of families and appropriate planning for Individualized Education Programs (IEP). This course also addresses the use of assistive technology and digital tools to address student needs and maximize learning. Candidates complete a minimum of 12 hours of special education field experience. Verification of successful completion of field component is required for education candidates to pass this course. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 332 Reading: Literacy Development and Assessment - 3 Hours
Advanced application of theory and methodology of reading instruction in grades K-6, including assessment issues and prescriptions to increase reading performance. Elementary Education core. Prerequisite: IDS 105 (core requirement). Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 339 Fundamentals of Elementary Education - 3 Hours
Presentation of the basic principles of teaching, classroom management, lesson plans, unit building, instructional methods, and use of materials in various content areas. Elementary Education core. Prerequisite: IDS 105 (core requirement). Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 344 Social Studies Methods in the Elementary Classroom - 3 Hours
A course encompassing the scope, content resources, methods, and interdisciplinary application of teaching social studies in the elementary classroom. Elementary Education core. Prerequisite: IDS 105 (core requirement) and ED 339. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 346 Elementary Science Methods - 3 Hours
A study of the methods of teaching science in the elementary school, with particular emphasis on the topics organization and administration of science in grades K-6. Elementary Education core. Prerequisite: IDS 105 (core requirement) and ED 339. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 347 Elementary Math Methods - 3 Hours
A survey of the teaching of mathematics, including discussion of the role of math education in society as well as the process, basic principles, and philosophies of math education in grades K-6. Elementary Education core. Prerequisite: IDS 105 (core requirement) and ED 339. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 348 Elementary Music Education - 2 Hours
Methods and materials for teaching the fundamentals of music on the elementary level. Music literature is surveyed and evaluated. Elementary Education core. Prerequisite: IDS 105 (core requirement) and ED 339. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 351 Language Arts Methods - 3 Hours
Methods and materials for teaching language, writing, vocabulary development, spelling and handwriting. Elementary Education core. Prerequisite: IDS 105 (core requirement) and ED 339. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 355 Health and Physical Education Methods - 2 Hours
A study of methods and content of teaching health and physical education in grades K-6. Elementary Education core. Prerequisite: IDS 105 (core requirement) and ED 339. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 400 Student Teaching in the Elementary School - 9 Hours
Observation and teaching in an elementary school classroom under direct supervision of a qualified cooperating teacher and a college instructor. This capstone experience is designed to aid the student teacher to bring together theory and practice. This course requires twelve weeks of observing/teaching in a classroom and participating in a student teaching seminar. During the semester of student teaching, the student must be available during regular school hours and not be employed full-time. This is an intense time of work, and student-teachers must give full attention to teaching. The student must have all core courses completed, and no other coursework may be taken during the student teaching experience. Elementary Education core. Prerequisite: IDS 105 (core requirement). Nine hours. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 401 Clinical Practice in the Elementary School - 12 Hours
This internship experience in classroom teaching under the direction of a qualified, cooperating teacher provides candidates with the opportunity to apply teaching principles in local schools through supervised observations and teaching. All candidates must meet the requirements for clinical practice outlined in the Division of Education Handbook and all Illinois State Board of Education requirements for student teaching. Prerequisites: Admission to Clinical Practice (Gate 4). Course Fee. Offered spring semester, fall by permission only. Delivery mode: Deerfield traditional undergraduate.
ED 404 ESOL Methods - 3 Hours
This course is an overview of curriculum, instructional methods and materials, testing and evaluation, and cross-cultural communication processes and linguistic principles as related to instructing English Language Learners (ELLs) in the K-6 classroom. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 407 Science for Educators - 3 Hours
This course is a study of specific science content skills required for K-6 teachers by the FLDOE competencies and skills and national/state/district content standards. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 408 Social Studies for Educators - 3 Hours
This course is a study of specific social studies skills required for K-6 teachers by the FLDOE accomplished practices, competencies and skills, and national/state/district common core standards. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 410 Florida Clinical Educator Training - 3 Hours
This course provides direct training for an educator to become a Florida state-approved peer coach and clinical supervisor of candidates in field experience and student teaching. This course develops clinical skills for the following: diagnosis of professional performance, diagnosis of student performance, feedback, and professional development plans. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate. Credit Hours: 3.
ED 411 Multisensory Literacy Approaches and the Exceptional Student - 1 Hour
This course teaches educators how specific multisensory approaches can dramatically improve struggling students' language skills and outcomes in elementary through high school. Topics covered include creating a positive classroom environment conducive to learning, helping students develop skills in key areas through multisensory approaches such as phonological awareness, letter knowledge, phonics, fluency, spelling, vocabulary, and comprehension. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 412 Assessments in Special Education - 1 Hour
This course covers methods and materials used in assessing students who may be eligible for special education. Class sessions will involve experiential learning activities related to the assessment of students. This course includes technical prerequisites for understanding standardized assessments and the rationale for using curriculum-based measurement (CBM) within the broad context of special education programming. Students will develop competencies in utilizing norm-referenced, criterion-referenced, curriculum-based, and teacher-made assessments for instructional and placement decisions. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 414 Teaching Approaches for Students with Dyslexia - 1 Hour
This course provides teachers with evidence-based practices for teaching children who have dyslexia and related written language disorders. The course presents the basic linguistic structures of written English related to reading and spelling. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 416 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas - 3 Hours
This course will provide students with strategies and tools for becoming a facilitating reflective practitioner, teaching reading across content areas and helping students discover that content area learning is made richer when reading, writing, speaking, and listening are taught together. Particular emphasis will be place on a balanced approach to reading where reading and writing are in alignment in lessons. Also, important to this course is helping students to think critically along with the appropriate use of texts and media. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 418 Teaching Reading and Writing to Students with Specific Learning Disabilities - 3 Hours
This course will cover instructional principles and specific methodologies that are valuable in educating students with specific learning disabilities in varied settings. Focus will be on developing literacy skills including phonemic awareness, word recognition, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills using developmentally appropriate materials. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 419 Reading Strategies for Elementary Students with Learning Difficulties: Strategies for Response to Intervention - 1 Hour
A practical, research-based course focused on effective reading strategies for teaching students with reading difficulties. The course covers tiered instruction needs in the RTI tiers. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 423 Classroom Management for Elementary Educators - 3 Hours
Identification of developmentally appropriate models and strategies for guiding, disciplining, and managing students' behavior; developing intrinsic motivation and conflict resolution skills; identifying environmental influences on behaviors of students from all cultures and familial situations. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 424 Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom - 3 Hours
Strategies to address the varied social and academic needs of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in the inclusive classroom. In this course, students will explore functional behavior assessment from which to develop and implement a behavior intervention plan. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 426 Behavior Solutions in the Inclusive Classroom - 1 Hour
This course covers the possible causes of specific special needs behaviors along with possible solutions to be implemented. This course will help teachers develop a toolbox of in-the-moment solutions and also learn what children may be communicating and why. Behavior problems discussed include out-of-seat behavior, fidgeting, hand-flapping, covering ears, hiding or running away, difficulty with class work, and more. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 431 Assessment of Learners - 3 Hours
This course focuses on the educational levels and needs of all students, including exceptional, culturally and/or linguistically diverse, and at-risk students. Standardized achievement tests, diagnostic/prescriptive tests and curriculum-based assessments are included. Use of test results in program planning is emphasized. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 435 ESOL Curriculum and Materials Development - 3 Hours
This course will give students the opportunity to explore strategies to take curriculum from a typical elementary classroom and adapt it for English Language Learners (ELL). Students will also write lesson plans specifically created to raise the language skills of ELLs. Students will have an opportunity to teach lessons they create in the course as well. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 436 Applied Linguistics: ESOL - 3 Hours
This course gives a practical approach to teaching English to speakers of other languages. Includes general linguistics, language theory, principles of language acquisition and techniques for teaching sounds, word structure, and sentence structure to PK-6 ESOL students. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 438 Cultural Dimensions of ESOL - 3 Hours
An examination of how issues of race and ethnicity affect the values and ethics of American society and its citizens. This course satisfies one of the core requirements of the ESOL endorsement. Students will teach a multi-content lesson in view of intercultural perspectives. A professional growth chart will be developed in light of what is learned in this course regarding the many types of diversity. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 439 Testing and Evaluation of ESOL - 3 Hours
This course will review basic types of assessments and assessment vocabulary. The focus of the course will be on specific types of assessments which are applicable to English Language Learners (ELL). How assessment can drive instruction for the ELL student will be a point of discussion. Laws regulating students as they take high stakes tests and other assessments that are part of a typical elementary school program will be addressed. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 442 Autism: The Temple Gradin Perspective - 1 Hour
Dr. Temple Grandin, a professor at Colorado State University, is a world-renowned autism spokesperson and consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior. She is widely celebrated as one of the first individuals on the autism spectrum to publicly share insights from her personal experience of autism. Dr. Grandin has written extensively from both her research in and her personal experience with autism. This course examines autism from Grandin's perspective through her writing and documentaries giving both general education and special education teachers insight into what strategies and approaches have worked best for her. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 481 Field Study# 1 (Reading) - 1 Hour
In this course, students will work in a school setting in public or private school to complete tasks in the field that are directly tied to FLDOE ESOL endorsement and Competencies and Skills. This course is designed to allow students to participate in low-level classroom tasks in the K-6 setting. The TIU Director of Elementary Education will work cooperatively with local schools to place students in schools/classrooms that allow for engagement of and experience with ESOL students. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 482 Field Study #2 (Reading) - 1 Hour
In this course, students will work in a public or private school setting to complete tasks in the field that are directly tied to FLDOE Reading endorsement and Competencies and Skills in reading. This course is designed to allow students to participate in low-level classroom tasks in the K-6 setting. The TIU Director of Elementary Education will work cooperatively with local schools to place students in schools/classrooms that allow the engagement of and experience with struggling readers and/or reading teachers with significant experience in reading instruction. Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.
ED 483 Student Teaching in the Elementary School - 10 Hours
Observation and teaching in an elementary school classroom under direct supervision of a qualified cooperating teacher and a college instructor. This capstone experience is designed to aid the student teacher to bring together theory and practice. This course requires twelve weeks of observing/teaching in a classroom and participating in a student teaching seminar. The first week will be a Reading Practicum. Weeks two through 12 are student teaching. During the semester of student teaching, the student must be available during regular school hours and not be employed full-time. This is an intense time of work, and student-teachers must give full attention to teaching. The student must have all core courses completed, and no other coursework may be taken during the student teaching experience. Elementary Education core. Prerequisite: IDS 105 (core requirement). Delivery mode: Florida non-traditional undergraduate.