Elementary/Middle (M)

There are several aspects of our elementary education department that are truly unique to CUW. In addition to the reduced 120-credit requirement for education majors, we have a variety of flexible options to increase marketability and prepare pre-service teachers to teach in multiple settings.  Concordia offers a Lutheran Teacher Diploma for members of LCMS congregations who wish to teach in Lutheran schools and Christian Education Certification for members of other Christian churches who wish to teach in Christian schools. Elementary Education majors can dual major in Early Childhood and Elementary or Elementary and Cross Categorical Special Education.  We also offer a variety of minors, concentrations, and certificates, including our Compassion Care Certificate, which includes work with our Comfort Dogs.  Thanks to our enhanced program, most students graduate in 3.5 to 4 years, and 99+ percent of them find jobs immediately.

Our elementary education department also offers the opportunity to teach internationally or outside of the immediate CUW geographical area.  Additionally, our students have field placements in area schools each semester before student teaching. This makes you more classroom-ready as you grow as a new teacher and feedback from your supervisors helps you set goals for continued improvement.  If your calling is to change a student’s life in Grades 4K–9, our calling is to help get you there.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Learner Development: The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences (Human Relations, Pedagogical Knowledge) 
  • Learning Differences : The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards. (Human Relations, Pedagogical Knowledge) 
  • Learning Environments: The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation. (Teaching Practice, Human Relations)
  • Content Knowledge: The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content. (Content Knowledge)
  • Application of Content:  The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
  • Assessment Strategies: The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making. (Content Knowledge, Pedagogical Knowledge)
  • Planning for Instruction: The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context. (Content Knowledge, Pedagogical Knowledge)
  • Instructional Strategies: The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways. (Pedagogical Knowledge, Communication Skills, Teaching Practice)
  • Professional Learning and Ethical Practice: The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
  • Leadership and Collaboration: The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.
  • Character/Faith Development: All teachers model a value system which emphasizes moral and ethical character. Teachers in Christian schools integrate faith and learning while modeling Christian mission and service with a biblical worldview. Lutheran teachers adhere to the doctrine and practice of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. (Human Relations, Professional Dispositions, Content Knowledge)

Curriculum

(GRADES 4K-9) 
Core Requirements 148-51
Lutheran/Christian Teacher Certification Major57-60
Public Education Major51-54
Minor18-21
+ Electives as needed to reach 120 credits
Total120 - 129
1

For transfer students, please see the Advanced Transfer Core.

NOTE: Check with the Chair of the Elementary/Middle Education Department for possible changes in the major

Core Curriculum - 48-51 Credits

Concordia Common Core - 18-21 Credits

Theology - Public Education
REL 1000The Bible3
REL 1100Christian Faith3
Theology - Lutheran (LTD) & Christian (CTC)
REL 2010Old Testament3
REL 2020New Testament3
REL 2030Biblical Theology3
CCE 1010Christian Citizen3
CCE 1020Western Culture & Worldview3
CCE 1030Western Thought & Worldview3
CCE 1040Science & Humanity3
Liberal Arts Dimensions - 30 Credits
ENG 1040Introduction to Writing3
Communication and Language Elective3
Faith and Life Elective: Any course with REL prefix above REL 20303
ED 1102Foundations of Education3
HHP 1100Stewardship of the Body1
HHP Activity Course 1
Human Creativity and Expression: Art, Music, Theater, Literature or Graphic Design activity course3
MATH 1190Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-9 33
MATH 1200Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-93
SCI 1100Introduction to Life and Physical Sciences 14
ED 1103Human Relations for Teachers3
Note: Two writing intensive courses are required for graduation. Electives may be added if under 120 credits. 0/3

Elementary Education Curriculum 

Elementary Education Curriculum
Theoretical Component
ED 1230Nature of the Exceptional Child3
ED 1231Best Practices in Engaging Children in Literacy3
ED 1275Human Learning 33
ED 4411The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 2,33
Seminar and Experiential Components (pass/fail)
ED 1000Orientation Seminar0
ED 2000UDS Seminar0
ED 3000Student Teaching Seminar 20
ED 1211Discovery Clinical0
ED 1212Cultural Clinical0
ED 1213Special Education Clinical0
Practical Component
ED 2204The Art & Science of Teaching Reading 33
ED 2252Best Practices in Engaging Adolescents in Literacy (OR) 33
Math in the Middle School
ED 2348Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Early Childhood3
ED 2358Emergent Writing: Birth to Grade 3 32
ED 3401Instruction & Assessment of Reading 2,33
"The BLOCK"
Take these courses during the same semester
ED 4301Data Driven Analysis of Classroom Practice 2,32
ED 4302Collaborating with Families and Members of the Community 2,31
ED 4303Language Arts Methods 2,33
ED 4304Curriculum and Methods in Mathematics 2,33
ED 4305Curriculum & Methods in Science & Environment 2,33
ED 4306Curriculum and Methods in Social Studies 2,33
Student Teaching Component
ED 4412Portfolio Completion - Elementary/Content Tests 21
ED 4421Gr K-9 Student Teaching 1 26
ED 4422Gr K-9 Student Teaching 2 26
Lutheran (LCMS Members) Teacher Diploma Requirements
ED 2306Teaching the Faith3
REL 4000Lutheran Confessions3
Christian Teacher Certification Requirements
ED 2306Teaching the Faith3
Select one of the following:3
Lutheran Confessions
Law and Gospel in the Life of the Church
A Survey of Christian Thought
Christian Apologetics
Christ and Culture
1

SCI 1100 Introduction to Life and Physical Sciences is recommended

2

 Course Requires Upper Division Status

3

 Course for the content GPA

4

ED 2252 Best Practices in Engaging Adolescents in Literacy and MATH 3130 Math in the Middle School are part of the English, Social Studies, Math, and Science Minors and Concentrations.

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Approved Minors

Elementary/Middle Education (Grades 4K-9)

Elementary Education majors are strongly encouraged to complete at least one concentration, certificate, minor, or an additional licensable major. Students with an interest in teaching at the middle school level are strongly encouraged to select a concentration or minor for the subject area that they would prefer to teach in a middle school setting.

Concentrations

  • K-9 English Concentration
  • K-9 Mathematics Concentration
  • K-9 Social Studies Concentration
  • K-9 STEM Concentration
  • Special Education Concentration

Certificate

  • Compassion Care Certificate

Minors

  • Adaptive Education (licensable)
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Theology 

Alternatives to the concentrations, certificates, and minors listed above include an additional major in special education or early childhood (please see the Elementary/Middle Regular and Cross-Categorical Special Education Dual Certificate Program or Early Childhood and Elementary Education Dual Major requirements).

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
ED 1000 Orientation Seminar 0
ED 1102 Foundations of Education 3
ED 1231 Best Practices in Engaging Children in Literacy 3
ENG 1040 Introduction to Writing 3
REL 2010 Old Testament 3
MATH 1190 Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-9 3
HHP 1100 Stewardship of the Body 1
 Hours16
Semester 2
HUMAN CREATIVITY & EXPRESSION 3
CCE 1010 Christian Citizen 3
REL 2020 New Testament 3
ED 1275 Human Learning 3
ED 1211 Discovery Clinical 0
MATH 1200 Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-9 3
 Hours15
Semester 3
ED 1103 Human Relations for Teachers 3
ED 1212 Cultural Clinical 0
CONCENTRATION/ELECTIVE 3
REL 2030 Biblical Theology 3
CCE 1020 Western Culture & Worldview 3
CCE 1040 Science & Humanity 3
 Hours15
Semester 4
ED 2000 UDS Seminar 0
CCE 1030 Western Thought & Worldview 3
ED 1230 Nature of the Exceptional Child 3
ED 1213 Special Education Clinical 0
FAITH & LIFE 3
SCI 1100 Introduction to Life and Physical Sciences 4
CONCENTRATION/ELECTIVE 3
 Hours16
Semester 5
REL 4000 Lutheran Confessions 3
ED 2252
Best Practices in Engaging Adolescents in Literacy
or Math in the Middle School
3
COMMUNICATION & LANGUAGE 3
ED 2358 Emergent Writing: Birth to Grade 3 2
HHP ACTIVITY 1
CONCENTRATION/ELECTIVE 3
 Hours15
Semester 6
ED 2306 Teaching the Faith 3
ED 2204 The Art & Science of Teaching Reading 3
ED 2348 Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Early Childhood 3
ED 3401 Instruction & Assessment of Reading 3
ED 4411 The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 3
 Hours15
Semester 7
ED 3000 Student Teaching Seminar 0
ED 4302 Collaborating with Families and Members of the Community 1
ED 4301 Data Driven Analysis of Classroom Practice 2
ED 4303 Language Arts Methods 3
ED 4304 Curriculum and Methods in Mathematics 3
ED 4305 Curriculum & Methods in Science & Environment 3
ED 4306 Curriculum and Methods in Social Studies 3
 Hours15
Semester 8
ED 4421 Gr K-9 Student Teaching 1 6
ED 4422 Gr K-9 Student Teaching 2 6
ED 4412 Portfolio Completion - Elementary/Content Tests 1
 Hours13
 Total Hours120

Course options and schedule are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
ED 1000 Orientation Seminar 0
ED 1102 Foundations of Education 3
ED 1231 Best Practices in Engaging Children in Literacy 3
ENG 1040 Introduction to Writing 3
REL 1000 The Bible 3
ED 1275 Human Learning 3
ED 1211 Discovery Clinical 0
HHP 1100 Stewardship of the Body 1
 Hours16
Semester 2
HUMAN CREATIVITY & EXPRESSION 3
CCE 1010 Christian Citizen 3
REL 1000 The Bible 3
MATH 1190 Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-9 3
ED 1103 Human Relations for Teachers 3
ED 1212 Cultural Clinical 0
 Hours15
Semester 3
MATH 1200 Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-9 3
ED 1230 Nature of the Exceptional Child 3
ED 1213 Special Education Clinical 0
CCE 1020 Western Culture & Worldview 3
FAITH & LIFE 3
CONCENTRATION/ELECTIVE 3
 Hours15
Semester 4
ED 2000 UDS Seminar 0
CCE 1030 Western Thought & Worldview 3
ED 2204 The Art & Science of Teaching Reading 3
CCE 1040 Science & Humanity 3
ED 2358 Emergent Writing: Birth to Grade 3 2
HHP ACTIVITY 1
CONCENTRATION/ELECTIVE 3
 Hours15
Semester 5
COMMUNICATION & LANGUAGE 3
ED 2252
Best Practices in Engaging Adolescents in Literacy
or Math in the Middle School
3
SCI 1100 Introduction to Life and Physical Sciences 4
ED 3401 Instruction & Assessment of Reading 3
CONCENTRATION/ELECTIVE 3
 Hours16
Semester 6
CONCENTRATION/ELECTIVE 3
ED 2348 Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Early Childhood 3
ED 4411 The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 3
CONCENTRATION/ELECTIVE 3
CONCENTRATION/ELECTIVE 3
 Hours15
Semester 7
ED 3000 Student Teaching Seminar 0
ED 4301 Data Driven Analysis of Classroom Practice 2
ED 4302 Collaborating with Families and Members of the Community 1
ED 4303 Language Arts Methods 3
ED 4304 Curriculum and Methods in Mathematics 3
ED 4305 Curriculum & Methods in Science & Environment 3
ED 4306 Curriculum and Methods in Social Studies 3
 Hours15
Semester 8
ED 4421 Gr K-9 Student Teaching 1 6
ED 4422 Gr K-9 Student Teaching 2 6
ED 4412 Portfolio Completion - Elementary/Content Tests 1
 Hours13
 Total Hours120

Course options and schedule are subject to change.