2012-2013 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

Entire Catalog Colleges Content & Navigation Course Filters Courses Degree Types Program Acronyms Program Descriptions Program Emphases Program Requirements Program Types Subjects Search Search Help
Search Descriptions

Elementary Teacher Certification (General Education)

• 2. Requirements for an Elementary Teaching Minor Elementary Certification
• 3. Requirements for the Education Major Program Elementary Certification

Michigan Elementary Provisional Certification allows the holder to teach any subject in kindergarten through fifth grade; major and minor subjects in sixth through eighth; all subjects in kindergarten through eighth in self-contained classrooms. In addition to degree requirements, candidates must complete the teaching major, minor, and education major program.

1. Teaching Major Elementary Certification

In January 2008, the Michigan State Board of Education approved new Elementary Education standards. The new standards will ensure that teachers are prepared with depth and breadth of content knowledge. New students entering Grand Valley, pursuing an elementary provisional teaching certificate, will only be able to select from the following four state approved major programs:

• Integrated Science
• Mathematics
• Group Social Studies
• Language Arts

In addition to selecting one of the listed teachable majors, education candidates must complete requirements for the elementary teaching minor and the education major program for elementary certification. Students should meet with their advisor before selecting courses for the elementary minor.

Website: www.gvsu.edu/coe

2. Requirements for an Elementary Teaching Minor Elementary Certification

Candidates must complete the following 31-credit program. At least one field semester must be done in a multicultural setting.

a. English

• ENG 308 - Teaching Reading: The Necessary Skills Credits: 4

b. Mathematics

• MTH 221 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I Credits: 4 AND MTH 222 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II (3 credits)
• OR
• MTH 223 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers III Credits: 5

Elementary candidates must take each of the following courses, except the course listed in their chosen content major area:

c. Fine Arts:

• MAT 300 - Music, Art and Theatre for Elementary Education Credits: 3

d. Language Arts:

• ENG 302 - Introduction to Language Arts: Teaching Writing and Children's Literature Credits: 3

e. Science:

• SCI 225 - Integrated Life Science for K-8 Teachers Credits: 4
• SCI 226 - Integrated Physical Science for K-8 Teachers Credits: 3

f. Physical Education/Health:

• PED 265 - Teaching Health in Elementary Schools Credits: 2
• PED 266 - Move-Dance-Learn! PE and Dance for Elementary Ed Credits: 2

g. Social Studies:

• SST 309 - Social Studies for Elementary Teachers Credits: 3

3. Requirements for the Education Major Program Elementary Certification

Candidates must complete the following 39-credit education major. At least one field semester must be done in a multicultural setting.

Prior to admission to Undergraduate Teacher Education:

• ED 315 - Diverse Perspectives on Education Credits: 3
• PSY 301 - Child Development Credits: 3
• ED 337 - Introduction to Learning and Assessment Credits: 3

Teacher Assisting semester:

• ED 310 - Organizing and Managing Classroom Environments Credits: 3
• ED 320 - Reading: Assessment and Instruction Credits: 3
• ED 330 - Teacher Assisting - Elementary Credits: 5

The next two courses may be taken during OR after Teacher Assisting, but must be taken prior to Student Teaching:

• ED 370 - Technology in Education Credits: 3
• ED 378 - Universal Design for Learning: Elementary Credits: 3

Student Teaching Semester:

• ED 430 - Student Teaching, Elementary (10 credits)
• ED 485 - The Context of Educational Issues (3 credits) (may be taken after EDI 430 but before certification).