MAT INITIAL LICENSURE PROGRAM

Unless otherwise noted, all courses are three credits

EDUC5401 Child and Adolescent Development

This course offers a comprehensive view of research and theories dealing with the development of individuals from birth through adolescence. Students will focus on the stages of cognitive, emotional, intellectual, moral, physical, and social development of the first two decades of life. Using clear understanding of relevant research and theories, students will explore strategies for applying this knowledge to instructional practices as they relate directly to student performance. Finally, students will identify atypical characteristics and instructional implications for recognizing and accommodating the exceptional child.

EDUC5207 Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Practices – Part I

This two-semester sequential course provides students with the background and practical skills necessary for successful curriculum planning for grades 1-12. Students will examine closely the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and develop lesson plans that support the standards in a variety of content areas and grade levels. In addition to incorporating significant use of technology in their instructional methods, students will identify strategies for differentiating instruction for all learning styles and accommodating various exceptionalities found in inclusive classroom settings. Finally, this course seeks to develop skills in planning curriculum and instruction, managing classroom climate and operation, promoting equity, and meeting professional responsibilities and standards for teachers as required by the Massachusetts Department of Education.

EDUC5208 Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Practices - Part II

This course will provide students with opportunities to learn from on-site field experiences, the practical skills necessary for successful curriculum planning in grades 1-12. Students will continue to examine the Massachusetts frameworks and develop extended unit plans and specific lesson plans that support the standards in a variety of content areas and grade levels. Students will discover the connections between instruction and student assessment and how one impacts the other. In addition to incorporating a significant use of technology in their instructional methods, students will continue to develop a portfolio reflective of the course contents. Finally, this course seeks to develop skills in planning curriculum and instruction, managing classroom climate and operation, promoting equity, and meeting professional responsibilities, four standards for teachers as required by the Massachusetts Department of Education.
Prerequisite: EDUC5207
Pre-practicum field-based experience is required.

EDUC5503 Ethical and Professional Leadership

Educational leaders face ethical issues in the classroom and school setting. Through readings, discussion and analysis of case studies, students will reflect upon leadership styles. Issues of vision, influence, empowerment and inspiration will be addressed and students will develop competencies and strategies to confront and deal with ethical challenges.

EDUC5202 Literacy and Literacy Methods I (Elementary)

This course will examine current theory and practice in the instruction of literacy for diverse populations of students at the primary grade level. Students will become familiar with research-based strategies and techniques for the instruction of reading, writing, spelling and oral language and vocabulary development. Students will become knowledgeable about the standards for literacy in the Massachusetts English Language Arts Framework, and become familiar with a wide range of children’s literature, instructional materials and assessments, as well as the processes of assessing, planning and implementing instruction to address a broad range of student abilities and needs.

EDUC5204 Literacy and Literacy Methods II (Elementary)

This course will build on the concepts, strategies and techniques introduced in Literacy and Literacy Methods I with a focus on literacy instruction at the intermediate elementary level, including comprehension strategies, readers and writers workshops, and literature circles. Students will become familiar with the standards for literacy at grades 3-6 in the Massachusetts English Language Arts Framework, and become familiar with a range of children’s literature and instructional materials at the intermediate level, as well as processes for assessing, planning, implementing and managing instruction to address a broad range of student abilities and needs.
Prerequisites: EDUC5202.
Pre-practicum field-based experience is required.

EDUC5305 Developing Teaching Strategies* (Secondary)

This course orients students to the fundamental issues regarding instruction in content areas at the secondary level. Students are provided with opportunities to address concerns regarding the adolescent student, instructional methods and materials, organization and structure, and the role of the secondary level professional. Students gain knowledge and expertise in various approaches to teaching within the context of recent developments in the field. Specific teaching skills are emphasized and developed through micro-teaching laboratory experiences. Students also develop instructional units that incorporate existing, modified, and original materials, assessment instruments, media, other content areas and community resources.
Pre-practicum field-based experience is required.

EDUC5301 Reading in the Content Area* (Secondary)

This course focuses on the principle and practices of the teaching of reading with attention to diagnostic devices, vocabulary building, improved word attack skills, and comprehension development. Emphasis is placed on reading to learn in accordance with developmental reading procedures and programs. Strategic approaches to teaching the reading of individual contents are examined.
Pre-practicum field-based experience is required.

EDUC5307 Research in the Content Area I (Secondary)

This course provides a foundation within which students gain an understanding and appreciation of research in their content field. The historical and philosophical underpinnings of the subject field will be examined and critiqued.

EDUC5308 Research in the Content Area II (Secondary)

Current trends in the pedagogy of the individual subject matter will be examined and demonstrated. Students will be expected to gain knowledge of best practices and the state of the art in their respective fields.
Prerequisites: EDUC5307 EDUC5209

EDUC5209Science and Social Studies Methods (Elementary)

This course will examine current theory and practice in the teaching of social studies and science at the elementary level, including “best practices” that include interdisciplinary planning and instruction, content specific curriculum goals, techniques and strategies that promote higher order thinking, and the design and management of inquiry-based learning experiences. Students will become familiar with the standards for social studies and science at the elementary level in the Massachusetts Science and Technology Frameworks and the History/Social Studies Frameworks, and with a range of instructional materials and web-based resources.

EDUC5206 Mathematics and Mathematics Methods (Elementary)

The course will provide students with a practical foundation for the teaching and learning of mathematics aligned with the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM, 2000) and the Massachusetts State Curriculum Frameworks for Mathematics (2000, 2004). This course is grounded in constructivist theories of learning elementary mathematics and will address the content, methods, and materials appropriate for teaching mathematics to students in grades 1-6. In particular, this course will address issues related to teacher resources, instructional planning, assessment, classroom culture, mathematical discourse, the use of manipulatives and technology, and reflective practice. The mathematical content relates to numeration systems, properties of numbers, operations on whole numbers, integers and rational numbers. An investigative, problem-solving approach to the study of these topics will provide students with an opportunity to develop new and deeper understandings of a number of mathematical concepts and procedures. This course will challenge students' existing knowledge, ideas, and beliefs about mathematics and provide a solid foundation for learning about the methods for teaching elementary school mathematics. Students enrolled in this course will have opportunities to interpret and make sense of their experiences in the context of discussing course readings, engaging in hands-on activities, and completing a number of course assignments.
Pre-practicum field-based experience is required.

EDUC5625 Classroom and Behavior Management

The primary goal of this course is to provide each student with an understanding of the classroom management knowledge base and a framework for developing a personal management model that centers on concern for each individual student in his/her classroom. The development of such a model requires an understanding of the growing knowledge base and research. This offers alternatives to traditional practices of classroom management.

EDUC5701 Technology Integration for Educators

This course assists educators to become technologically proficient using current and emergent technologies. Topics covered encompass aspects of technology planning, online learning, learning webs, program evaluation as well as social issues relating to technology integration and change. Participants learn the roles and responsibilities of various technology leaders and utilize an array of technology applications to enhance classroom instructions, motivate learners, and connect home and school.

EDUC5467-5468 Student Teaching Practicum (Elementary/Secondary)

The practicum is supervised teaching in elementary or secondary school classes. It provides the opportunity for experience in all aspects of teaching, and for the development of a working point of view in the field of education.
6 credits
Prerequisites: all licensure courses, successful completion of the MTEL required