Teaching –Elementary Education Master's

Elementary Mathematics Methods helps students learn to implement effective mathematics instruction in the elementary classroom. Topics include differentiated mathematics instruction, mathematical communication, mathematical tools for instruction, assessing mathematics understanding, integrating mathematics across the curriculum, critical thinking development, standards based mathematics instruction, and mathematical models and representation. This course is designed to be taken after successful completion of Introduction to Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment OR Instructional Planning and Presentation in Elementary Education.

Language Arts Instruction and Intervention helps students learn to implement effective language arts instruction and intervention in the elementary classroom. Topics include written and spoken English, student knowledge expansion, literature-rich environments, differentiated instruction, technology for reading and writing, assessment strategies for reading and writing, and strategies for developing academic language. This course is designed to be taken after successful completion of Introduction to Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment OR Instructional Planning and Presentation in Elementary Education.

Elementary Reading Methods and Interventions provides students seeking initial teacher licensure in elementary education with an in-depth look at best practices for developing the reading and writing skills of all students. Course content examines the stages of literacy development, the balanced literacy approach, differentiation, technology integration, literacy-assessment, and the comprehensive Response to Intervention (RTI) model used to identify and address the needs of learners who struggle with reading comprehension. This course is designed to be taken after successful completion of Introduction to Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment OR Instructional Planning and Presentation in Elementary Education.

Elementary Science Methods helps students learn how to implement effective science instruction in the elementary classroom. Topics include processes of science, science inquiry, science learning environments, instructional strategies for science, differentiated instruction for science, assessing science understanding, technology for science instruction, standards based science instruction, integrating science across curriculum, and science beyond the classroom. This course is designed to be taken after successful completion of Introduction to Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment OR Instructional Planning and Presentation in Elementary Education.

Application of Elementary Social Studies Methods helps students learn how to implement effective social studies instruction in the elementary classroom. Topics include social studies themes, promotion of cultural diversity, integrated social studies across the curriculum, social studies learning environments, assessment of social studies understanding, differentiated instruction for social studies, technology for social studies instruction, and standards-based social studies instruction. This course helps students apply, analyze, and reflect on effective elementary social studies instruction. This course is designed to be taken after successful completion of Introduction to Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment OR Instructional Planning and Presentation in Elementary Education.

Applications of Elementary Physical Education and Health Methods helps students learn how to implement effective physical and health education instruction in the elementary classroom. Topics include healthy lifestyles, student safety, student nutrition, physical education, differentiated instruction for physical and health education, physical education across the curriculum, and public policy in health and physical education. This course helps students apply, analyze, and reflect on effective elementary visual and performing arts instruction. This course is designed to be taken after successful completion of Introduction to Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment OR Instructional Planning and Presentation in Elementary Education.

Application of Elementary Visual and Performing Arts Methods helps students learn how to implement effective visual and performing arts instruction in the elementary classroom. Topics include integrating arts across the curriculum, music education, visual arts, dance and movement, dramatic arts, differentiated instruction for visual and performing arts, and the promotion of cultural diversity through visual and performing arts instruction. This course helps students apply, analyze, and reflect on effective elementary visual and performing arts instruction. This course is designed to be taken after successful completion of Introduction to Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment OR Instructional Planning and Presentation in Elementary Education.

Elementary Disciplinary Literacy examines teaching strategies designed to help learners in grades K–6 develop the literacy skills necessary to read, write, and think critically while engaging content in different academic disciplines. Course content highlights strategies to help learners distinguish between the unique characteristics of informational texts while improving comprehension and writing proficiency across the curriculum. Strategies to encourage inquiry and cultivate skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity are also addressed. This course is designed to be taken after successful completion of Introduction to Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment OR Instructional Planning and Presentation in Elementary Education.

Children's Literature is an introduction to and exploration of children's literature. Students will consider and analyze children's literature as a lens through which to view the world. Students will experience multiple genres, historical perspectives, cultural representations, and current applications in the field of children's literature. This course is designed to be taken after successful completion of Introduction to Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment OR Instructional Planning and Presentation in Elementary Education.

Educational Psychology and Human Development of Children and Adolescents is a key component of WGU’s Professional Core and is a required course for all Master of Arts in Teaching candidates. This course introduces candidates to research-validated theories of human development and psychology, spanning from early childhood through adolescence, and their applications in teaching practice. Candidates will explore how linguistic, physical, cognitive, and social development influence the learning process and inform educational approaches. This course will also cover appropriate instructional and assessment strategies that can be used to support learning for developmentally diverse student populations. The course will culminate in analysis of learning theories related to educational psychology in order to develop a personal educational philosophy. Candidates will engage in four hours of preclinical experiences, which include virtual classroom observations from the perspective of educational psychology and learner development. Cross-cutting themes of technology and diversity are interwoven for further development.

Mathematics for Elementary Educators engages preservice elementary teachers in important concepts in geometry, measurement, data analysis and statistics, and probability.

Foundations of Education is a key component of WGU's Professional Core and is a required course for all Master of Arts in Teaching candidates. This course introduces candidates to foundational knowledge about the teaching profession in the current educational context and the historical and cultural influences on P-12 education in the United States. This course addresses important topics that affect educators today including state standards-based curriculum, legal and ethical requirements, and professionalism. This course will culminate in evidence-based, practical application of current strategies, theories, or philosophical perspectives related to becoming an effective educator within the current school context. Candidates will engage in five hours of preclinical experiences, which include virtual observations of learning environments in multiple school settings, and an interview with an educator to gain insight on how these topics affect and inform teaching practice. Cross-cutting themes of technology and diversity are introduced for further development throughout the candidate’s programs.

Schools as Communities of Care is a key component of WGU's Professional Core and is a required course for all Master of Arts in Teaching candidates. This course introduces candidates to strategies for providing a culturally inclusive learning environment that meets the social and emotional needs of learners while taking into account theories and philosophical perspectives on child and adolescent development and learning. Emphasis is placed on fostering a collaborative relationship with families, caregivers, and community stakeholders, and on leveraging community resources to support each learner’s growth and well-being to build a strong foundation for their academic and personal success. Topics addressed include culturally responsive practice, social and emotional learning (SEL), youth mental health, substance abuse, suicide awareness and prevention, abuse within families, and professional responsibilities to ensure student wellbeing. The course will culminate in evidence-based, practical application of strategies that support the whole child in a community of care. Candidates will engage in seven hours of preclinical experiences, include virtual observations of learning environments that involve parents and families in their children's education and an interview with an educational professional. Cross-cutting themes of technology and diversity are interwoven for further development.

Fundamentals of Diverse Learners is a key component of WGU's Professional Core and is a required course for all initial licensure candidates. This course prepares candidates to consider and address the wide range of learning needs in the classrooms of today. This course teaches candidates to identify and support the needs of diverse populations of learners, including, for example, students with disabilities (Including Dyslexia), students who are English language learners, and students who are gifted and talented. Practical strategies for differentiating instruction while creating a safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive learning environment are explored. This course helps candidates develop skills for partnering with parents and advocating for all students, particularly those impacted by provisions of IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Multitiered systems of support are addressed to prepare candidates for their future classrooms as they seek to select appropriate instructional practices and interventions to best serve their students. Candidates will engage in four hours of preclinical experiences that include a simulated teaching experience in which skills learned can be applied. Cross-cutting themes of technology and diversity are interwoven for further development.

Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments is a key component of WGU's Professional Core and is a required course for all Master of Arts in Teaching candidates. This course provides candidates with research-based strategies and approaches to establishing and maintaining a safe and productive learning environment that supports the success and well-being of all P-12 learners. Topics addressed include consistent routines and expectations, student engagement, positive behavior support, motivation and its effect on student achievement, active learning and self-direction, and fostering a sense of community through collaboration. Candidates will design a classroom management plan for their future classroom based on theory and high-leverage practices for meeting the diverse needs of learners in a productive and collaborative learning environment. The course will culminate in evidence-based, practical application of current strategies to motivate and engage students in specific content areas. Candidates will engage in seven hours of preclinical experiences that include both virtual observations of classroom settings and time in a simulated classroom environment where theory can be put into practice. Cross-cutting themes of technology and diversity are interwoven for further development.

Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment is a key component of WGU's Professional Core and is a required course for all Master of Arts in Teaching candidates. This course provides candidates with theoretical foundations and strategies for creating engaging and standards-aligned lessons that meet the needs of all learners in the P-12 classroom. This course focuses on the interrelationship between curriculum, instruction, and assessment, with emphasis on the role of assessment and student data in planning, designing, delivering, and modifying instruction in accordance with diverse learner needs. This course will culminate in the application of evidence-based strategies related to the interdependence of and alignment among curriculum, instruction, and assessment in student-centered P-12 teaching and learning. Candidates will engage in three hours of preclinical experiences, which include conducting virtual classroom observations and recording a short teaching segment. Cross-cutting themes of technology and diversity are interwoven for continued development.

Assessing Student Learning is a key component of WGU's Professional Core and is a required course for all Master of Arts in Teaching candidates. This course provides candidates with methods and best practices for using assessment to monitor student progress and to evaluate the effectiveness of instruction. This course focuses on implementing a balanced approach to assessment using multiple assessment types such as formative, summative, standardized, and common assessments. Also covered are data literacy skills for interpreting and analyzing individual learner and classroom data to improve instruction and support academic success for all learners. The course will culminate in evidence-based, practical application of strategies for assessment practices in P-12 schools. Candidates will engage in three hours of preclinical experiences that include virtual classroom observations. Cross-cutting themes of technology and diversity are interwoven for further development.

Using Educational Technology for Teaching and Learning is a key component of WGU's professional core and is a required course for all Master of Arts in Teaching candidates. This course presents strategies for integrating technology into classroom practices to improve instruction and student learning according to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards. Candidates will evaluate digital tools and their potential classroom applications such as enhancing curriculum, enabling communication with students and families, and increasing student engagement. Topics covered include ethics, equity and access to technology, and appropriate use of technology by P–12 students. Assistive technologies to meet the needs of a diverse learner population also will be addressed. The course will culminate in evidence-based, practical application of current standards, strategies, theories, or philosophical perspectives related to the use of technology in teaching and learning. Candidates will engage in three hours of preclinical experience that include virtual observations of classroom practices incorporating technology to support educational goals. Cross-cutting themes of technology and diversity are interwoven for further development.

Preclinical Experiences in Elementary provides students the opportunity to observe and participate in a wide range of in-classroom teaching experiences in order to develop the skills and confidence necessary to be an effective teacher. Students will reflect on and document the 75 hours of in-classroom observation and experience in their performance assessments. Prior to entering the classroom for the observations, students will be required to meet several requirements including a cleared background check, passing scores on the state or WGU required basic skills exam and a completed resume.

Supervised Demonstration Teaching in Elementary Education involves a series of classroom performance observations by the host teacher and clinical supervisor that develop comprehensive performance data about the teacher candidate’s skills. This course is eligible for an In Progress grade. Please see the Grading Scale Policy for more information.

Supervised Demonstration Teaching in Elementary Education involves a series of classroom performance observations by the host teacher and clinical supervisor that develop comprehensive performance data about the teacher candidate’s skills. This course is eligible for an In Progress grade. Please see the Grading Scale Policy for more information.

Supervised Demonstration Teaching in Elementary Education involves a series of classroom performance observations by the host teacher and clinical supervisor that develop comprehensive performance data about the teacher candidate’s skills. This course is eligible for an In Progress grade. Please see the Grading Scale Policy for more information.

Supervised Demonstration Teaching in Elementary Education involves a series of classroom performance observations by the host teacher and clinical supervisor that develop comprehensive performance data about the teacher candidate’s skills. This course is eligible for an In Progress grade. Please see the Grading Scale Policy for more information.

The Teacher Performance Assessment course is a culmination of the wide variety of skills learned during your time in the Teachers College at WGU. In order to be a competent and independent classroom teacher, you will showcase a collection of your content, planning, instructional, and reflective skills in this professional assessment. This course is eligible for an In Progress grade. Please see the Grading Scale Policy for more information.

Professional Portfolio requires candidates to create an online teaching portfolio that demonstrates professional beliefs, growth, and effective teaching practices from the Demonstration Teaching experience. The portfolio includes reflective essays (educational beliefs, professional growth, and collaboration with stakeholders) and professional artifacts (resume and artifacts with commentary on academic language, systems of student support, education technology, and professional communication with families) developed and acquired during Demonstration Teaching. This course is eligible for an In Progress grade. Please see the Grading Scale Policy for more information.

Cohort Seminar provides mentoring and supports teacher candidates during their demonstration teaching period by providing weekly collaboration and instruction related to the demonstration teaching experience. It facilitates their demonstration of competence in becoming reflective practitioners, adhering to ethical standards, practicing inclusion in a diverse classroom, exploring community resources, building collegial and collaborative relationships with teachers, and considering leadership and supervisory skills. This course is eligible for an In Progress grade. Please see the Grading Scale Policy for more information.