2018-2019 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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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 standard teaching certification allows the holder to teach any subject in kindergarten through fifth grade; major 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

The Michigan State Board of Education sets elementary education standards that ensure teachers are prepared with depth and breadth of content knowledge. Students pursuing an elementary standard teaching certificate may 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 completed in a multicultural setting.

a. English

• ENG 308 - Teaching Reading: The Necessary Skills (4 credits)

b. Mathematics

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

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 (3 credits)

d. Language Arts

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

e. Science

• SCI 225 - Integrated Life Science for K-8 Teachers (4 credits)
• SCI 226 - Integrated Physical Science for K-8 Teachers (3 credits)

f. Physical Education/Health

• PED 265 - Teaching Health in Elementary Schools (2 credits)
• PED 266 - Move-Dance-Learn! PE and Dance for Elementary Education (2 credits)

g. Social Studies

• SST 309 - Teaching Social Studies: Elementary (3 credits)

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 completed in a multicultural setting.

Prior to admission to undergraduate teacher education:

• EDF 315 - Diverse Perspectives on Education (3 credits)
• PSY 301 - Child Development (3 credits)
• EDI 337 - Introduction to Learning and Assessment (3 credits)

Course 1 - This course is taken before OR after admission to the College of Education. It must be completed before student teaching.

• EDS 378 - Universal Design for Learning: Elementary (3 credits)

Course 2 - This course is taken after admission to the College of Education. It must be completed before student teaching.

• EDT 370 - Technology in Education (3 credits)

Teacher assisting semester:

• EDI 310 - Organizing and Managing Classroom Environments (3 credits)
• EDR 320 - Reading: Assessment and Instruction (3 credits)
• EDI 330 - Teacher Assisting - Elementary (5 credits)

Student teaching semester:

• EDI 430 - Student Teaching, Elementary (10 credits)
• EDF 485 - The Context of Educational Issues (3 credits)

(may be taken after EDI 430 but before certification).