Master of Education Profession and Practice: Elementary Education (1-6)
Off-campus, non-licensure degree program currently approved in: Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
This program is designed for in-service elementary education teachers (1-6) who wish to strengthen their subject matter, research, and pedagogical knowledge and expertise. Teachers entering the program should have an initial or full teaching license from their respective states, be teaching currently, and have at least one full year of classroom experience upon entering the program, as readings, activities, and assessments make continual use of the in-service teacher's experiential knowledge and are designed to enhance their active professional development.
In-service teachers from other settings or backgrounds are welcome to enter the program, with the understanding that the group just described is the focus of the program's design. The program outcomes are derived from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Middle Childhood Standards. After completing this program, some teachers may wish to begin the process for NBPTS certification.
This program has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (formerly Massachusetts Department of Education) for Professional Teaching Licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
| PROGRAM OF STUDY | CREDITS | |
| Required Courses | 33 | |
| EEDUC 6042 | Profession and Practice: The Ecology of Teaching | 3 |
| EEDUC 6126 | Classroom and School Inquiry | 3 |
| EEDUC 6014 | Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: Theories and Methods | 3 |
| EEDUC 6001 | The Teaching of Writing (K-12) | 3 |
| CNSCI 5100 | Try Science | 3 |
| CMATH 6107 | Constructing Mathematical Understanding: Number and Operations | 3 |
| CNSCI 6103 | Perspectives in Biology | 3 |
| CMATH 6109 | Functions and Algebra I: Building Mathematical Understanding | 3 |
| EEDUC 6043 | Environment of Learning and Teaching I | 3 |
| EEDUC 6044 | Environment of Learning and Teaching II | 3 |
| EEDUC 7120 | Leadership in Action | 3 |
| Elective (select ONE 3-credit course, in consultation with advisor) | 3 | |
| CMATH 6104 | Measurement and Probability | |
| ASOSC 5017 | Geography Workshop | |
| CNSCI 6102 | Investigating Physics: Motion and Forces | |
| EEDUC 6101 | Content Area: Reading/Writing/Study Skills | |
| TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS |
36 |
|
DISCLAIMER: Each state's educator licensure regulations are subject to change. Educators seeking an endorsement or addition to their current certification/licensure should verify with the appropriate state educator licensure authority that a program meets state requirements.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
EEDUC 6042 Profession and Practice: The Ecology of Teaching
As teachers, we are part of ecological systems and social communities that begin with a unique sense of self and place and reach out into a technologically interconnected society. In this course, we will reflect on our sense of identity, our role as agent of change in our teaching, and how that role influences our connection to the students, colleagues, and families within the school and the local community. The course readings, journaling activities, and reflection combine to strengthen our understanding of what it means to be an ecological educator and a critically reflective professional.
EEDUC 6126 Classroom and School Inquiry
Classroom and School Inquiry focuses on the understanding and critical analysis of educational research and methods for accurately communicating this information to the public. As teachers participate in redefining their educational roles, decision-making and action-oriented classroom practice will be critical in promoting student learning. Both require problem-solving, which is enhanced by the forming and testing of hypotheses, gathering data that is then analyzed, synthesized, and evaluated, and generating solutions. This course will engage students in this process by acquainting them with the knowledge and techniques necessary for them to become lifelong teacher researchers, and to present the results of their research effectively and professionally to a variety of audiences. Note: This course is a prerequisite to EEDUC 6127.
EEDUC 6014 Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages — Theories and Methods
This course focuses on the theories and methods of teaching English as a second language and the effective classroom practices for English instruction in reading and writing, as well as literacy in the content areas. The cultural diversity of K–12 students on the site where the course is taught is examined as well as its influence on teaching and learning. The historical, theoretical, and philosophical underpinnings of bilingual education are addressed.
EEDUC 6001 The Teaching of Writing (K–12)
This course promotes the thoughtful examination of writers and writing instruction. Throughout the course, students are introduced to strategies and skills they can use to enhance their own writing and the writing of K–12 students. Using a process approach, students learn how to communicate ideas effectively in a variety of genres and for a multitude of purposes. Based on the most current understandings in the field, this course explores such topics as writer’s workshop, conferencing, struggling writers, assessment, reading/writing connections, writing in the disciplines, revision and editing, the use of technology to support writers, and the management of writing instruction.
CNSCI 5100 Try Science
In this introductory course on science inquiry participants investigate common everyday phenomena. This course invites participants to “uncover” the complexity of a simple glass of water. They observe physical processes at play in this familiar system and develop scientific "habits of mind." participants see how scientific principles can be applied to understanding the world around us. The following key physical science concepts are explored: density, displacement, buoyancy, melting, freezing, equilibrium, phase changes and energy transfers.
CMATH 6107 Constructing Mathematical Understanding: Number and Operations I
Participants will develop a solid conceptual understanding of the language and operations of arithmetic, as well as the interrelationships among arithmetic, algebra and geometry. Topics include place value and the history of counting, inverse processes, the geometry of multiplication, the many faces of division, and conceptual models of integers and rationale numbers.
CNSCI 6103 Perspectives in Biology
Presents an overview of recent major advances in biology. The course explores the impact of these advances upon people's lives by familiarizing the students with current research methods and tools that led to these discoveries. Students grapple with some of the controversial aspects surrounding topics, including but not limited to: evolution, stem cell research, and genetic modification. The challenging content requires students to be open-minded in dealing with the multiple perspectives explored in the class.
CMATH 6109 Functions and Algebra I: Building Mathematical Understanding
Participants develop a solid conceptual understanding of the branch of mathematics known as algebra. Topics will include ratio and proportion, slope, operations with integers, the notion of function, absolute value, linear versus non-linear functions, sets, equations, inequalities, simultaneous equations, and demand functions.
to make predictions.
EEDUC 6043 Environment of Learning and Teaching I
This course examines brain-compatible theory and differentiated instruction and behavior management as interrelated approaches to meeting the needs of students in a diverse classroom. Using state curriculum standards and research-based approaches, teachers will learn how to design instruction that facilitates student acquisition and development of academic skills in a variety of content areas. Class discussions and course assignments are designed to help participants plan and implement meaningful instruction that helps all students succeed.
EEDUC 6044 Environment of Learning and Teaching II
The second piece within the environment of learning involves the curriculum development process. Exercises in curriculum theory and curriculum development will focus on making decisions about content, i.e., social studies and English Language Arts, learning styles, classroom management, and the use of technology in innovative ways to supplement, enhance, and extend the curriculum. Recognizing the importance of state curriculum standards, a backward design approach is explored. Participants will examine.
EEDUC 7120 Leadership in Action
This is the capstone course of the program in Elementary Education: Profession and Practice. Participants will demonstrate their knowledge of the program outcomes and their synthesis of learnings during the program. The action research project and its public presentation, as well as the program portfolio, should demonstrate that participants have enhanced their teaching and leadership skills, added to their content knowledge, and have set and begun to meet well-developed professional goals.
CMATH 6104 Measurement and Probability
This course introduces teachers to the theory of measurement (length, area, volume), develops geometric modeling in algebra, and introduces teachers to experimental and theoretical probability, and multiple methods for solving probability problems. All topics are presented in the context of problem solving; emphasis is placed on development of these mathematical ideas, and the course design makes connections with arithmetic and reinforces understanding of functions, functions notation, and topics from algebra.
ASOSC 5017 World Geography Workshop
This self-paced Blackboard course presents concepts of geography study and activities designed to strengthen students' understanding and knowledge of geography. It introduces various approaches to geography study: natural, ecological, economic, cultural, political, and historical. Students then pursue one or more of these areas in depth. Students intending to become teachers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are encouraged to enroll in this workshop, which also covers areas of geography found in the Massachusetts Frameworks. Assessment is by portfolio review.
CNSCI 6102 Investigating Physics: Motion and Forces
Participants extend their understanding of fundamental Newtonian physics concepts through inquiry. They investigate motion and forces through direct observation, analysis of video and by creating and interpreting graphic representations. The historic and cultural contexts from which key physics concepts emerged are examined and the works of Aristotle, Galileo, and Newton are highlighted. Participants apply their new understanding to everyday occurrences in the physical world.
EEDUC 6101 Content Area Reading/Writing/Study Skills (4–12)
Reading curriculum is studied with emphasis on comprehension, content area reading, study skills, and readers with diverse needs in upper elementary, middle, and high school.
Lesley University reserves the right to unilaterally add, withdraw, or revise any course offering in the above-mentioned program of study, including policies, provisions, requirements, and fees.
Lesley University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, handicap, or disability in its education programs, employment, or in admissions to, access to, or treatment in its programs or activities.
