Teaching Strategies for Elementary Teachers I
ElEd 345
Jim Becker - TPH 315
Office phone:  (270) 745-4436
email:  james.becker@wku.edu
Western Information Line:  (270) 745-4845
(For information on school closing due to inclement weather)

Pre-requisites:    Edu/ElEd 250 and Psy 310 with a grade of "C" or better; submission of qualifying test score for admission to teacher education; co-enrollment in ElEd 355; a portfolio from Edu/ElEd 250 or one constructed to specification.

Course description:    Integrates planning and evaluative techniques with appropriate learning theories.  Learning activities for the full range of ability/development levels of students are prescribed.

Rationale:    This course provides a foundation for understanding relationships between and among planning, implementing, and assessing student learning.  Pre service teachers practice processes essential for success in content specific methodology courses.

Course objectives and outcomes:

Teacher education students will comprehend and apply key concepts related to each of the New Teacher Standards
*    Designs/plans instruction
*    Creates/maintains learning climates
*    Implements/manages instruction
*    Assesses and communicates learning results
*    Reflects/evaluates teaching/learning
*    Collaborates with colleagues/parents/others
*    Engages in professional development
*    Knowledge of content
*    Demonstrates Implementation of Technology
The teacher education student will: (New teacher standard(s)/core objective/core assessment)
Standard(s) - Related Performance - Assessment

IV - Gather pertinent information and data from student records - cognitive test

IV - Gather pertinent student information and data during instruction - lesson plans

IV - Maintain accurate and appropriate records of student progress - cognitive test

IV, VIII - Interpret standardized test scores correctly - cognitive test

IV, VIII - Analyze assessment instruments and procedures based on obtained student data - analysis of assessment instruments and interpretation of test results

IV, V, VIII - Interpret test results relative to:  1. student achievement of objectives, 2. quality of assessment instruments and procedures, 3. quality of appropriateness of instruction - analysis of assessment instruments and interpretation of test results

IV, V, VI - Identify student attainment of objectives and instructional needs - interpretation of test results

IV, V, VI - Conceptualizes a defensible method of grading that accurately presents a clear interpretation of the evaluated data for all learners - simulated student grading exercise

IV, VI - Modify assessment instruments/procedures appropriately - lesson plans

I, IV, VI - Use systematic planning procedures that link long range yearly goals with short term objectives - performance task with related lesson plans

I, VI, VIII - Design lessons that reflect appropriate consideration of student needs, objectives to be achieved, content to be covered, materials to be used, and activities to be implemented - performance task with related lesson plans

I - Design lessons that include materials and activities appropriate to the identified objectives - lesson plans

I - Provide activities that stimulate higher order thinking - lesson plans

II, III - Initiate instruction appropriately:  1. secure student attention, 2. provide academic focus, 3. challenge and task attraction - cognitive test

III, VIII - Present content effectively:  1. state/define lesson components, 2. explain lesson component(s) clearly, 3. use appropriate grammar and vocabulary, 4. demonstrate lesson component(s), 5. check student comprehension, 6. conduct review/summary of lesson/components, 7. provide appropriate practice - cognitive test

II, III - Utilize communication techniques supportive of instruction:  1. cue students, 2. use of emphasis techniques - cognitive test

III - Utilize effective question/questioning technique:  1. ask appropriate academic questions, 2. ask questions properly, 3. provide guidance for student responses when necessary - cognitive test

II - Maintain instructional involvement and enthusiasm - cognitive test

I, IV - Prepare valid assessment instruments and procedures to assess student learning/learning needs/lesson plans - cognitive test

III - Prepare students for tests - cognitive test

IV - Administer tests effectively - cognitive test

III, V, VI - Provide effective feedback to students - cognitive test

III - Handle instructional materials efficiently - cognitive test

II - Establish classroom rules, procedures, and routines - cognitive test

III - Maintain optimum use of instructional time:  1. begin instruction properly, 2. maintain instructional momentum, 3. facilitate student transitions - cognitive test

II - Maintain positive classroom climate - cognitive test

    The teacher education student will:  (New teacher standards/Supporting Objectives/Supporting Assessment)

III, IV, V - Distinguish between assessment, evaluation, and grading - cognitive test

IV, V - Integrate learning theory with evaluation techniques - lesson plans

III - Apply basic concepts of evaluation in the teaching process - lesson plans

I, IV, V - Synthesize behavioral objectives and methods of evaluation into lesson plans - lesson plans

Course Topics:

*    Planning, implementing, and assessing instruction
*    Assessment, evaluation, and grading
*    Communicating assessment results
*    Collaboration
*    Professional standards and ethics
KERA Elements/Contexts:
*    Curriculum:  Learning goals and academic expectations
*    Core Content
*    Authentic assessment
Specific Course Requirements:
*    Read related material and prepare for class activities
*    Professionalism
        - attendance and participation (125 pts)
        - collaboration (25 pts)
*    Complete exams
        - effective teaching (75 pts)
        - test item construction (25 pts)
        - test interpretation (50 pts)
*    Complete critical performances, including:
        - 70%+ on "effective teaching" exam
        - writing objectives (10 pts)
        - writing an open response question (10 pts)
        - analysis of test data (50 pts)
        - designing a portfolio performance task with corresponding content outline and scoring guide (50 pts)
        - developing 3 lesson plans:  direct teaching, discovery, cooperative learning (30 pts)
Grading Scale:
Grade      Percent          Points
A             92+                    414+
B             91 - 84               413 - 378
C             83 - 76               377 - 342
D             75 - 68               341 - 306
F             67-                      305-
Policies and Expectations:

Professionalism:  Attendance and Participation - It is expected that every student will attend every class.  This course includes student interaction, as well as, field experiences; therefore, class participation is essential.  Arriving on time, remaining on task, being prepared, and participating in the learning community are all part of your professional development responsibilities.  Absences and late arrivals, for what ever reason, count as time taken form the course.  Missing 20% of class time will result in a professionalism grade of "0" points for attendance and participation.

Professionalism:  Collaboration - Today's educational environment requires teachers to collaborate im many different ways.  In this course, extensive collaboration will be required to successfully complete several class assignments.   Therefore, your ability to participate effectively in these collaborative endeavors will be evaluated by your colleagues as part of professionalism score.

Submission of Assignments:  Projects and assignments (including readings) must be completed by the beginning of class on the date due.  There will be a 10% grade reduction for each day the assignment is late.  Any problems with due dates and exams must be discussed with the instructor before the due date or exam.  The work you submit must be original and appropriately siting references used for the completion of any assignment is mandatory.  Misrepresenting work as original will result in "0" points for the assignment and may lead to a failing grade or dismissal from the course.  All submissions must be word processed and use a 12 point font, and please choose a font such as Helvetica or New Times Roman (decorative or unusual fonts are difficult to read).  Assignments are expected to be well written, grammatically correct, free from typographical errors and neat in appearance.  In the unlikely event that an assignment is lost, the student must demonstrate that the assignment was completed.  Therefore, it is suggested that a copy of all assignments be maintained.

Class Activities:  Respect for the views of each member of the learning community and the use of professional standards of behavior by both the  instructor and students are expected during all of our interactions.

Field Experiences:  As indicated in the Western Kentucky University Undergraduate Catalog, ElEd 355 is a field based course requiring extensive off campus field experiences.  Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to the designated site(s).

Critical Performances:  In order to matriculate to Block I (ElEd 365, ElEd 407, and Ltcy 420) you must satisfactorily complete the Critical Performances for ElEd 345 as evidenced on the electronic portfolio, and all electronic portfolio entries for ElEd 345 must be uploaded in MicroSoft Word.

Textbook:

Dembo, M.  (1994).  Applying educational psychology in the classroom, 5th edition.  White Plains, NY:
Longman Publishers, USA.

Related References:

Airasian, P. (1996).  Assessment in the classroom.  New York, NY:  McGraw-Hill, Inc.

Biehler, R., Snowman, J.  (1997).  Psychology applied to teaching.  Boston, MA:  Houghton Mifflin Company.

Journal Examples:

American Educational Research                             Educational Research
American School Board Journal                             Elementary School Journal
Childhood Education                                              Journal of Educational Research
Contemporary Education                                        Phi Delta Kappan
Education Forum

Web site Addresses:

Class syllabus and materials:  http://www.wku.edu/~thomptd/345355/tv.htm
Kentucky Department of Education:  http://www.kde.state.ky.us
Kentucky Core Content:
http://www.kde.state.ky.us/oapd/curric/corecontent/core_content_index_version_30.asp
Kentucky Learning Goals and Academic Expectations:
http://www.kde.state.ky.us/oapd/curric/Publications/Transformations/acadexp.html
U.S. Department of Education:  http://www.ed.gov/
Kids Web:  http://www.npac.syr:80/textbook/kidsweb/
Wentworth Communications:  http://www.classroom.net/