Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education

The College offers the Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION BROCHURE

Early Childhood Education Degree Plan

Division of Education Course Descriptions

EDUC 2301 – Foundations of the Teaching Profession (3 credit hours). Designed to provide students seeking admission into the teacher education program with an overview of the expectations, duties, and responsibilities of a professional educator. It highlights the process of becoming an educator in Texas and exposes students to current issues in education at the state and national levels. In addition, students learn about the structure of the state educational system, as well as, legal and ethical implications of teaching as a profession Students begin and continue to develop their teaching philosophy which culminates into their portfolios by the time of program completion. A minimum of five hours of observation and journal entry will be required for successful completion in this course.

EDUC 2302 – Understanding Diversity in Education (3 credit hours). Explores the key dimensions of P-12 classroom diversity and the consistency with which the students define their cultures and the cultures of others. Prospective teachers will be challenged to rethink and apply their conceptualization of diversity in Pre-K-12 classroom settings through observation and reflection.

EDUC 2321 – Introduction to Early Childhood Education (3 credit hours). This course will present an overview of the aims, objectives, and values of early childhood education and the factors that affect it. The student will explore program patterns, teaching roles, learning environments, current issues, and recent developments.

EDUC 2323 – Human Growth and Development (3 credit hours). In this course, students learn the basic concepts of human development and behavior—mental, physical, social, and emotional—from birth to death.

EDUC 2600 – Internship (6 credit hours). The student will gain practical experiences in public schools, private schools, and/or other agencies that provide educational services for young children. This is for students seeking the Associate in Arts degree.

EDUC 3311 – Learning Theory and Measurement (3 credit hours). This course examines the major teaching and learning theories and the use and interpretation of tests. It incorporates the impact of socio-cultural, ethnic, language, and gender differences on learner achievement.

EDUC 3321 – Developing Language Skills of Young Children (3 credit hours). The student will study the strategies for the development of communication skills of young children emphasizing oral language and literacy.

EDUC 3323 – Educational Technology and Media (3 credit hours). This course emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for the development, application, and integration of media and other emerging technologies into teaching and learning.

EDUC 3324 – Essential Elements of Science and Mathematics for Elementary Teachers (3 credit hours). A broad study of the concepts of physical, biological, and earth sciences along with applications of basic numbers, number problems, word problems, interpreting data, and other skills necessary to become competent in the elementary classroom.

EDUC 3363 – Social Studies for Teachers, Grades K- 8 (3 credit hours). Designed specifically for teachers of young and middle school children, this course focuses on planning, organizing, and effectively delivering instruction based upon the Social Studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Social studies content areas emphasized are history, geography, economics, government, citizenship, and culture. Discussions include the social and environmental consequences of scientific discovery and technological innovations.

EDUC 4101 – Seminar (1 credit hour). The Seminar provides a forum for reflective discussions, deliberations, and activities designed to enhance the teaching/learning processes to increase instructional proficiency of teacher candidates during student teaching.

EDUC 4303 – Capstone for the Teaching Profession I (3 credit hours). This course offers summative experiences of the teacher education program, including content area, pedagogy, and professional responsibilities. It prepares teacher candidates for the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) certification test.

EDUC 4304 – Capstone for the Teaching Profession II (3 credit hours). This course is offered to students requiring additional preparation for the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) certification test. See description under Capstone I.

EDUC 4313 – Classroom Management (3 credit hours). This course covers basic skills and knowledge for creating a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction and effective communication among members of the learning community. The course emphasizes ethics, attitudes, language patterns, values, and behaviors, and includes methods and strategies for consulting with other school professionals and parents. This course requires 5 hours in clinical observation.

EDUC 4322 – Curriculum and Instruction (3 credit hours). This course is designed to provide students with the foundational strategies for instructional planning, methodologies of teaching and learning, evaluation techniques, motivation, classroom management, technology integration, and preparation and evaluation of materials. Ten (10) hours in clinical observation is required. Students seeking certification at the EC-12 level must do a minimum of 6 weeks of clinical practice in the Elementary School and a minimum of 6 weeks of clinical practice in the Secondary School.

EDUC 4601 – Clinical Teaching in Elementary School (6 credit hours). Student teaching is a minimum of 14 weeks of clinical experience. During the student teaching experience, the prospective teacher candidate demonstrates his/her competence as an effective beginning teacher. Each student teacher is expected to possess, or develop, the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to manage successfully a classroom teaching--‐learning situation.

EDUC 4602 – Clinical Teaching in Secondary School (6 credit hours). Student teaching is a minimum of 14 weeks of clinical experience. During the student teaching experience, the prospective teacher candidate demonstrates his/her competence as an effective beginning teacher. Each student teacher is expected to possess, or develop, the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to manage successfully a classroom teaching--‐learning situation.

PHED 2318 – Foundations and Principles of Physical Education (3 credit hours). Provides an introduction and orientation for the student wishing to major in physical education. An overview of the historical and philosophical heritage of physical education is presented. Current issues and trends are discussed.

PHED 3313 – Physical Education in the Secondary School (3 credit hours). Principles, methods, and procedures of curriculum construction for secondary school youth are emphasized. Emphasis is also placed on principles of motor learning, materials for students of varying abilities and needs, patterns of curriculum development, appropriate tests and evaluative devices, and observation and practicum in school settings.

PHED 3316 – Physiology of Exercise {Formerly Fundamentals of Body Mechanics} (3 credit hours). Emphasizes the role that exercise can play in the development of a healthy life-style. Exercise physiology is designed to help the teacher, coach, or the exercise specialist with a basis for making sound life-style recommendations and detecting programs that have a legitimate scientific base.

PHED 3322 – Physical Education in the Elementary School (3 credit hours). Methods and techniques for teaching various skills (games, gymnastics, relays, etc.) are presented. The growth and developmental needs of children are discussed in the context of their influence on activity selection and curriculum development.

PHED 3324 – Movement Education (3 credit hours). A focus on the analysis of concepts and methodologies used to promote the development of movement competencies. Sample programs to demonstrate mastery of the concepts used in program development are discussed and put together.

PHED 3325 – Kinesiology (3 credit hours). Emphasis is placed on acquiring a working knowledge of the mechanical principles that affect human motion. Investigates tools and procedures detailing how these principles influence performance in sports and games. Prerequisites: see advisor.

PHED 4311 – Tests and Measurements in Physical Education (3 credit hours). Emphasizes tests utilized in the area of physical education. Methods and techniques of testing, recording, selecting, and utilizing statistical procedures, analysis, and interpretation of statistical data are included.

PHED 4322 – Principles of Adapted Physical Education (3 credit hours). The focus is on understanding how the body functions in health and in ill-health. Methods of analysis and evaluation of posture, fitness, and some common handicapping conditions are presented. Prerequisites: see advisor.

PHED 4329 – Administration of Physical Education and Athletics (3 credit hours). A study of the organization and administrative processes involved in managing an effective and ongoing physical education and athletics program.

Reading Course Descriptions

READ 2322 – Individualized and Recreational Reading of Children’s Literature (3 credit hours). Concepts, practices, and strategies of individualized and recreational reading of literature and other books are explored.

READ 3312 – Fundamentals of Reading Instruction (3 credit hours). A study of the reading process, approaches, and strategies for teaching developmental reading within the context of sequential skills.

READ 3321 – Language Arts Across the Curriculum (3 credit hours). This course prepares the pre K-12th grade teacher with understandings of the spiraling objectives in the Language Arts TEKS and how these skills and concepts can be interwoven to reinforce instruction and learning in all subject areas. Emphasis is placed on strategies to nurture research explorations, creative expression and critical thinking through writing, reading, speaking, and listening experiences.

READ 4314 – Reading in the Content Areas (3 credit hours). Emphasizes strategies for teaching reading and study skills in subject matter areas. Focus is on strategies for diagnostic and remedial reading.

*PHED 1111 – Jogging and Physical Conditioning (1 credit hour). Emphasis is placed on learning the essentials of jogging and physical conditioning. The proper techniques and mechanics essential to enhanced performance are discussed. Instruction is given also in safety and preventive procedures.

*PHED 1122 – Tennis (1 credit hour). Advanced techniques and fundamentals are emphasized in bowling, tennis, and golf. Opportunities are provided for individual competition. Coaching techniques, officiating, and rules and regulations are included.

*PHED 2105 – Basketball and Softball (1 credit hour). Skills essential to good individual and team play are emphasized. Basic mechanical principles governing good performance in the individual skills are also discussed.

*PHED 2113 – Volleyball and Badminton (1 credit hour). Emphasis is placed on learning basic skills, mechanics of specific skills, and court craft in volleyball and badminton. Opportunities are provided for competitive play.

*PHED 2124 – Track and Field Events (1 credit hour). Emphasis is placed on general training and conditioning for track and field. An overview of track and field events is presented. Each student is required to select one track and one field event and demonstrate proficiency in each.

*PHED 3181 – Individual and Dual Sports (1 credit hour). Course emphasis is placed upon those sports activities requiring a team of one-on-one or two-on-two. Activities include badminton, tennis, golf, and table tennis.

*General Education Courses Offered by the Division