400

Students in this course will apply theory to instructional methods, materials and the Illinois State Board of Education Early Learning Standards for teaching Language Arts, Art, Music and Movement to young children. Play and the active and constructive nature of learning will be emphasized. Writing and evaluating curriculum using lesson plans will be done in each content area. Adaptation for special needs and culturally diverse children will be included. Current research along with the Internet will be explored as resources. 6 pre-clinical hours are required. Prerequisite(s): ECE202, ECE205, ECE206, SPE300, or their equivalents. 3 quarter hours

Students in this course will apply theory to instructional methods, materials and the Illinois State Board of Education Early Learning Standards for teaching Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics to young children. Play, and the active and constructive nature of learning will be emphasized. Writing and evaluating curriculum using lesson plans will be done in each content area. Adaptation for special needs and culturally diverse will be included. Current research along with the Internet will be explored as resources. 6 pre-clinical hours are required. Prerequisite(s): ECE202, ECE205, ECE206, SPE300, or their equivalents. 3 quarter hours

Students in this course complete a half-day experience of student teaching in an early childhood setting for ten weeks. Successful completion of this experience is based on a wide variety of competencies, including having full responsibility for a classroom over an extended period during the term, usually two weeks. Students also participate in a weekly seminar, which deals with their concerns and experiences as beginning teachers. Prerequisite(s): Completion of ECE202, ECE205, ECE206, SPE300, ECE310, ECE315, ECE405, and ECE406 or their equivalents; Consent of department; Background check. 7 quarter hours

Students in this course complete a full-day experience of student teaching in an early childhood setting for ten weeks. Weekly seminars are conducted for all student teachers and topics include problems, issues and concerns for beginning teachers. Successful completion of this experience is based on a wide variety of competencies including full responsibility for a classroom over an extended period (at least two weeks) during the term. This course is the culminating experience of early childhood majors. Prerequisite(s): Admission to National College of Education, Successful completion of ECE 405, ECE 406, CIS 481, MHE 481, RLL 481, and SCE 481; consent of department; background check 14 quarter hours

Students will serve as interns in an approved child care center or preschool that provides a daily program of education and care for a minimum of 100 hours. Under the discretion of a mentor and with the University supervision, students will engage in all aspects of site management or of instruction and care, including daily interaction with children, parents, teachers, staff, and other constituents. A weekly seminar will support this activity. Prerequisite(s): Senior Standing in Early Childhood Education and approval of the department. 7 quarter hours

Students will serve as interns or teaching assistants in an approved infant-toddler setting that provides developmental support and care for a minimum of 100 hours. Under the direction of a mentor and with University supervision, students will engage in all aspects of daily interaction with children ages 0-2. A weekly seminar will support this activity. Prerequisite(s): Senior Standing in Early Childhood Education and approval of the department. 7 quarter hours

Special topic courses are developed to meet emerging learning needs. The specific topic is indicated on the transcript. There is no limit on the number of 495 courses which can apply to the degree, although each topic may be taken only once. 1 to 5 quarter hours.