Elementary Education - Teaching B.A.
Elementary Education - Teaching Major
The B.A. Elementary Education major requires a minimum of 120 hours to graduate. This total includes UNIFI/General Education requirements, the Professional Experiences requirements, Educator Essentials requirements, and the following specified major requirements, to complete the minimum of 120 hours.
This major leads to ED 102 (K-6 Teacher Elementary Classroom) endorsement.
Students majoring in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, or Middle-Level Education may not repeat or withdraw from any courses within the ELEMECML, LRNTECH, or LITED course categories more than twice (a total of three times for any course). Students in these programs are also limited to a maximum of five course retakes across these same courses. Under extraordinary circumstances, an elementary, early childhood, or middle-level education major may request in writing that an exception be made to this policy. All written requests will be reviewed by the department head, who will determine whether or not an exception will be granted. Where an exception is not granted, a student may appeal the decision through the regular appeal process for other teacher education-related appeals. This policy applies to all majors declared after April 2016.
| Required: | ||
| Elementary, Early Childhood, and Middle Level Education: | ||
| ELEMECML 3120 | Classroom Management K-8 *,^ | 3 |
| ELEMECML 4125/5125 | Methods of Teaching Health, Fitness, Visual and Performing Arts Integration in Elementary Classroom | 3 |
| Literacy Education: | ||
| LITED 1044 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| LITED 3115 | Methods of Teaching Early Literacy * | 3 |
| LITED 3116 | Methods of Teaching Content Literacy in the Intermediate Grades *,# | 3 |
| Mathematics: | ||
| MATH 1204 | Mathematical Reasoning ** | 3 |
| MATH 2204 | Mathematical Reasoning for Elementary Teachers II ** | 3 |
| MATH 3204 | Mathematical Reasoning for Elementary Teachers III ** | 3 |
| MATH 3203 | Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School * | 3 |
| Life Science course: | 3-4 | |
| Inquiry into Life Science (recommended) | ||
OR | ||
Any life/biological (BIOL xxxx) science course *** | ||
| Physical Science course: | 3-4 | |
| Inquiry into Physical Science (recommended) | ||
OR | ||
Any chemistry (CHEM xxxx) or physics (PHYSICS xxxx) *** | ||
| Earth/Space Science: | 3-4 | |
One course from the following: | ||
| Inquiry into Earth and Space Science (recommended) | ||
| Astronomy | ||
| Elements of Weather | ||
| Introduction to Geology | ||
| Total Hours | 36-39 | |
- *
A grade of C (2.00) or higher is required for all Methods courses.
- **
Students must earn a C- or higher in MATH 1204, MATH 2204 and MATH 3204 in order for the course to satisfy in the Elementary Education major.
- ***
Excluding 1000Z transfer courses.
- #
Middle Level/Elementary Education double majors may substitute LITED 4117/5117 Methods of Teaching Content Literacy at the Middle and Secondary Levels for LITED 3116 Methods of Teaching Content Literacy in the Intermediate Grades.
- ^
Elementary Education majors can count ELEMECML 3120 for category 4 of Educator Essentials.
A 2.50 grade index in all work at the University of Northern Iowa and also a 2.50 GPA on all course work at this university and elsewhere, or the approval of the head of the Department of Elementary and Middle Level Education, is required for registration in major courses in the department.
Professional Experiences
| Required: | ||
| EDUC 2302 | Teaching Methods l: Elementary Curriculum * | 3 |
| EDUC 2402 | Teaching Internship l: Elementary Curriculum | 3 |
| EDUC 3523/5523 | Teaching Methods ll: Teaching Elementary Science * | 3 |
| EDUC 3524/5524 | Teaching Methods ll: Teaching Elementary and Middle-Level Social Studies * | 3 |
| EDUC 3602/5602 | Teaching Internship ll: Elementary Methods | 3 |
| EDUC 4134 | Elementary Teaching | 12 |
| Total Hours | 27 | |
- *
A grade of C (2.00) or higher is required for all Methods courses.
Students should plan their coursework so that all Elementary Education courses are taken before student teaching. Students must have a cumulative, UNI, and major GPA of 2.50 to student teach.
Students should apply for their student teaching one year in advance.
Verification of Iowa Teaching Licensure Requirements
In addition to the Elementary Education major requirements, students must complete 9 credit hours of coursework in the social sciences: history, economics, psychology, sociology, geography, or political science/civic literacy to be eligible to be recommended for an Iowa teaching license. Courses used to satisfy a UNIFI/General Education category may also be used to satisfy these licensure requirements.
| 9 hours from 3 different areas: | ||
| History: with prefix HISEUA, HISEUB, HISNW, HISUS, HIST | ||
or classes | ||
| Humanities I: The Ancient, Classical, and Medieval Worlds | ||
or HUM 1022 | Humanities II: The Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment | |
or HUM 1023 | Humanities III: The Age of Revolution to the Present | |
| Economics: with prefix ECON | ||
| Psychology: with prefix PSYCH | ||
| Sociology: with prefix SOC | ||
| Geography: with prefix GEOG | ||
| Political Science/Civic Literacy: One of the following | ||
| Power & Politics in the U.S. | ||
| Introduction to Public Administration | ||
| American State Politics | ||
| Law, Politics, and Society | ||
| Campaigns and Elections | ||
| Community Politics | ||
| Congress: The First Branch | ||
| Constitutional Law | ||
| Civil Rights and Liberties | ||
| Judicial Politics and Policy-making | ||
| Public Opinion and Voting Behavior | ||
| Modern Presidency | ||
| Leadership and Management in Public Service | ||
| Political Parties and Interest Groups | ||
| Public Budgeting | ||
| Management of Public Human Resources | ||
| Iowa Politics | ||
| Problems in Juvenile and Family Law | ||
| Citizen Participation and Civic Engagement | ||
| Political Communication | ||
| Politics and Public Policy | ||
| Topics in Public Policy | ||
| Political Psychology | ||
| Seminar in Public Administration | ||
Area of Specialization
As required for state licensure, students must include a 12-hour area of specialization, which can be fulfilled through UNIFI/General Education courses.
Educator Essentials
| Required: * | ||
| Select one of the following in each category: | ||
| Category 1: The Learner | 3 | |
| Reflections on Learning | ||
| Development and Learning in Sociocultural Contexts | ||
| Creativity and Higher Order Thinking in the Classroom | ||
| Rethinking the Learning Society: Education and Its Future(s) | ||
| Category 2: Social Contexts of Learning | 3 | |
| Social & Cultural Foundations of Education | ||
| A Modern History of Education in the United States | ||
| Education Policy and Politics of Education | ||
| Language Today | ||
| Category 3: Education for All | 3 | |
| Adapted Physical Education | ||
| Education, Power, and Change | ||
| Social Movements and Education | ||
| Interdisciplinary and Intersectional Study of Education for All | ||
| Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners in Classrooms | ||
| Content Area Strategies for English Language Learners | ||
| Category 4: The Classroom Environment | 3 | |
| Deeper Motivation and the Highly Engaged Classroom | ||
| Level Up: Gamified Learning Environments | ||
| Early Childhood Curriculum Development and Organization | ||
| Playful Learning and Project-Based Experiences: Techniques for Ed and Recreational Environments | ||
| Critical Perspectives on Technology and Education | ||
| Category 5: Effective Pedagogy | 3 | |
| Expressive Learning Assessment | ||
| Technology, Pedagogy, and Learning in the Digital Age | ||
| Assessment for Learning | ||
| Effective Teaching through Differentiation, Technology and Assessment | ||
| Category 6: The Professional Educator | 3 | |
| Child, Family, School and Community Relationships | ||
| Teacher Leadership & Educational Change | ||
| Collaborative Partnerships for Educators | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- *
A grade of C (2.00) or higher is required in each Educator Essentials course.
Four-Year Plan
Elementary Education Teaching, B.A.
This is a sample plan of study with a suggested sequencing of classes for the major. University electives may be applied to earn additional academic majors, minors, or certificates. Students should regularly meet with their academic advisor to plan their specific semester schedule to include UNIFI/General Education program and/or university elective hours required.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hour | |
| MATH 1204 | Mathematical Reasoning | 3 |
| SCI ED 1200 | Inquiry into Life Science | 3 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SCI ED 1300 | Inquiry into Physical Science | 3 |
| Educator Essentials Course | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 11 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| LITED 1044 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| MATH 2204 | Mathematical Reasoning for Elementary Teachers II | 3 |
| SCI ED 1100 | Inquiry into Earth and Space Science | 3 |
| Educator Essentials Course | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 3204 | Mathematical Reasoning for Elementary Teachers III | 3 |
| TEACHING 2020 | Introduction to Teaching: Exploring Options | 1 |
| Educator Essentials Course | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| ELEMECML 3120 | Classroom Management K-8 | 3 |
| EDUC 2302 | Teaching Methods l: Elementary Curriculum | 3 |
| EDUC 2402 | Teaching Internship l: Elementary Curriculum | 3 |
| LITED 3115 | Methods of Teaching Early Literacy | 3 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 3 | |
| Educator Essentials Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| ELEMECML 4125/5125 | Methods of Teaching Health, Fitness, Visual and Performing Arts Integration in Elementary Classroom | 3 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDUC 3523/5523 | Teaching Methods ll: Teaching Elementary Science | 3 |
| EDUC 3524/5524 | Teaching Methods ll: Teaching Elementary and Middle-Level Social Studies | 3 |
| EDUC 3602/5602 | Teaching Internship ll: Elementary Methods | 3 |
| LITED 3116 | Methods of Teaching Content Literacy in the Intermediate Grades | 3 |
| MATH 3203 | Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 4134 | Elementary Teaching | 12 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Learning Outcomes
Elementary Education Teaching, B.A.
Teacher candidates:
- Demonstrate content knowledge and skills through planning, lesson implementation, and learning assessments for culturally sustaining experiences during inclusive classroom-based activities. (UNI SL) - Content Knowledge)
- Use content knowledge of and clinical practice in literacy, including assessment (diagnostic and evaluation), language arts integrations, technology integration in teaching and learning activities, research-based literacy methods, and classroom management associated with literacy.
- Use content knowledge of and clinical practice in mathematics, including assessment (diagnostic and evaluation), current research-based instructional methods (e.g., problem-solving, reasoning, communication, recognizing, making, and applying connections, integration of manipulatives, ability to construct and apply multiple connected representations, the application of content in real-world experience, and classroom management in mathematics.
- Use content knowledge of clinical practice in social sciences (history, geography, political science/civic literacy, economics, behavioral sciences) and research-based approaches to teaching and learning of social sciences, integration in teaching and student learning in social sciences, and classroom management as it applies to the social sciences.
- Use content knowledge of and clinical practice in science (e.g., physical, earth/space, and life sciences), research-based methods of inquiry-based teaching and learning technology integration in science, and classroom management associated with science.
- Engage with methods of teaching physical education, health and wellness, and visual and performing arts.
- Engage in teaching field experience in primary and intermediate classrooms.
- Reflect, analyze (UNI SLO - Critical Thinking), and explain (UNI SLO - Communication) the relationship between culturally relevant pedagogical content knowledge and skills in planning, implementing, and assessing inclusive classroom-based activities and experiences.
- Synthesize and evaluate experiences in diverse classrooms and coursework that explain teacher candidate teaching philosophy and their ability to develop positive relationships with students. (UNI SLO - Critical Thinking)
Policies
Iowa law requires that all teacher education students pursuing endorsements in 102 K-6 Teacher Elementary Classroom, 1001 Birth-Grade 3 Inclusive Settings, 148 K-8 Reading, 260 K-8 Instructional Strategist l, or 103 PK-K Teacher Pre Kindergarten-Kindergarten must complete the Foundations of Reading test administered by Pearson.