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This course is designed for future K-6 classroom teachers. The science content of the course will include life science: plants, trees, and insects. It will include in physical science: energy, energy sources, energy transfer, force, and motion. Application of the science content will be explored through regional natural history, threats to natural biomes and environments, and the dynamics of energy. Active learning of science will include investigations, experimentation, field work, and laboratory work.

This course meets the second half of the semester only. It is part of the foundations block of courses for education majors, offers additional early literacy field experience, and fulfills MN state requirements for kindergarten licensing, including practicum in a kindergarten setting. The course prepares elementary educators to teach the MN academic standards for kindergarten including, the arts, reading and English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Students continue to teach structured, early literacy skills as well as prepare and teach lessons that apply academic standards in a kindergarten classroom.

This course is designed for teacher candidates to study and apply skills necessary to meet the academic, physical, emotional, and developmental needs of the wide range of students who are present in the K-12 classroom. This includes students who are gifted and talented, have educational disabilities, are multilingual or English language learners, are experiencing mental health needs, demonstrate at risk or disadvantaged personal circumstances, and/or have IEP or 504 plans. Emphasis is placed on the teacher candidate understanding these various learner needs, applying teaching and learning strategies to support access to classroom content, identifying when and what kinds of supports may be needed, and providing educational adaptations including differentiation methods or materials to meet the learning needs of all students in the K-12 setting.

This course offers an overview of the profession of teaching, with a focus on some or all of the following: social issues affecting schools and teachers, education in a multicultural society, the roles and the job of teachers, the history of education, the organization of elementary and secondary schools, the role of government in financing education, philosophies of education, and emerging trends and reforms in education. A field-based component of the course allows candidates to explore issues discussed in class in real-life situations in local educational institutions. Must be taken prior to enrollment in the education program.