ELEMENTARY AND KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION
(Curriculum  Checksheets)

Teachers make collective and individual decisions about life in classrooms in order to help students to develop as active, knowledgeable citizens of a multicultural world.  These decisions are based on teachers’ understandings of themselves, their students, human development and diversity, subject matter, educational theory, curricular design, instructional method, federal, state and institutional regulations, and political, social and moral relationships between education and community and world affairs.  Teachers develop their understanding continuously through systematic intensive inquiry into these matters involving problem posing, data gathering through educational literature, product analysis, observation and discussion, probing, the historical conditions which yielded the present circumstances surrounding these matters, and acting on this new knowledge.  That is, teachers demonstrate the power of education for their students and society by constructing reflective practice from the intellectual and practical sides of their responsibilities in and out of schools.

Penn State undergraduate teacher education programs are designed to provide students with experiences necessary to become certified teachers of elementary education.  Each program specifies entrance criteria and requires 45 credits of directed general education study to begin the lifelong inquiry into subject area knowledge, followed by professional course work and various field experiences including student teaching.  Students gain additional practical experience with children through volunteer activities or part-time employment in related areas as well as through the required courses.  Upon successful completion of all requirements for graduation, students receive a Bachelor of Science degree.  To be certified to teach, students must also meet any test and clearance requirements as specified by The Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The Elementary and Kindergarten Education major offers two options:  Elementary Education (Kindergarten-sixth grade) and Early Childhood Education (Nursery-third grade).  Students may also pursue dual certification:  Early Childhood Education with Elementary Education.  Although professional education (major and option) credit requirements vary according to the option that the student selects, each option includes two supervised short-term practica and a 15-week student teaching experience. [Also see Elementary Education in Multicultural Settings major.]

It is helpful for advisers to communicate to prospective elementary teachers the sequences of courses in the EK ED program.  After official entry to the major, and during either semester of the junior year, prospective teachers schedule the Arts and Literacy Block (A ED 303, Music 241, LL ED 400, 401, 402).  The next cluster of EK ED courses is the Discipline Inquiry Block (MTHED 420, SCIED 458, SS ED 430W, C I 495 B).  This block ideally should be taken in the semester immediately preceding student teaching.  The block consists of three courses on teaching and learning the content of mathematics, science, and social studies, and is integrated with a practicum in local elementary schools or child care settings.  Advisees should be reminded that transportation to practica is not provided.  The program’s capstone experience is the 15-week practicum.

Graduates with strong academic backgrounds, outstanding practicum experience, and determination have often been successful in securing teaching positions in public and private schools.  Because school employers seek top quality teachers, graduates benefit from the excellent reputation of Penn State’s teacher education programs.