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.
Another unique offering is our STREAMS of Living Water content integration model—an initiative implemented to support the integration of Science, Technology, Reading/ELA, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics with a more hands-on approach to learning. 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
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Requirements 1 | 48-51 | |
Lutheran/Christian Teacher Certification Major | 57-60 | |
Public Education Major | 51-54 | |
Minor | 18-21 | |
+ Electives as needed to reach 120 credits | ||
Total | 120 - 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
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Theology - Public Education | ||
REL 100 | The Bible | 3 |
REL 110 | Christian Faith | 3 |
Theology - Lutheran (LTD) & Christian (CTC) | ||
REL 201 | Old Testament | 3 |
REL 203 | New Testament | 3 |
REL 204 | Biblical Theology | 3 |
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
CCE 130 | Christian Citizen | 3 |
CCE 140 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
CCE 110 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
CCE 120 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
Liberal Arts Dimensions - 30 Credits | ||
ENG 104 | Introduction to Writing | 3 |
Communication and Language Elective | 3 | |
Faith and Life Elective: Any course with REL prefix other than REL 100, 110, 201, 203, 204 | 3 | |
ED 1102 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
HHP 100 | Stewardship of the Body | 1 |
HHP Activity Course | 1 | |
Human Creativity and Expression: Art, Music, Theater, Literature or Graphic Design activity course | 3 | |
MATH 119 | Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-9 3 | 3 |
MATH 120 | Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-9 | 3 |
SCI 110 | Introduction to Life and Physical Sciences 1 | 4 |
ED 1103 | Human Relations for Teachers | 3 |
Note: Two writing intensive courses are required for graduation. Electives may be added if under 120 credits. | 0/3 |
Elementary Education Curriculum
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Elementary Education Curriculum | ||
Theoretical Component | ||
ED 1230 | Nature of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
ED 1231 | Best Practices in Engaging Children in Literacy | 3 |
ED 1275 | Human Learning 3 | 3 |
ED 4411 | The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 2,3 | 3 |
Seminar and Experiential Components (pass/fail) | ||
ED 1000 | Orientation Seminar | 0 |
ED 2000 | UDS Seminar | 0 |
ED 3000 | Student Teaching Seminar 2 | 0 |
ED 1211 | Discovery Clinical | 0 |
ED 1212 | Cultural Clinical | 0 |
ED 1213 | Special Education Clinical | 0 |
Practical Component | ||
ED 2204 | The Art & Science of Teaching Reading 3 | 3 |
ED 2252 | Best Practices in Engaging Adolescents in Literacy (OR) 3 | 3 |
Math in the Middle School | ||
ED 2348 | Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Early Childhood | 3 |
ED 2358 | Emergent Writing: Birth to Grade 3 3 | 2 |
ED 3401 | Instruction & Assessment of Reading 2,3 | 3 |
"The BLOCK" | ||
Take these courses during the same semester | ||
ED 4301 | Data Driven Analysis of Classroom Practice 2,3 | 2 |
ED 4302 | Collaborating with Families and Members of the Community 2,3 | 1 |
ED 4303 | Language Arts Methods 2,3 | 3 |
ED 4304 | Curriculum and Methods in Mathematics 2,3 | 3 |
ED 4305 | Curriculum & Methods in Science & Environment 2,3 | 3 |
ED 4306 | Curriculum and Methods in Social Studies 2,3 | 3 |
Student Teaching Component | ||
ED 4412 | Portfolio Completion - Elementary/Content Tests 2 | 1 |
ED 4421 | Gr K-9 Student Teaching 1 2 | 6 |
ED 4422 | Gr K-9 Student Teaching 2 2 | 6 |
Lutheran (LCMS Members) Teacher Diploma Requirements | ||
ED 2306 | Teaching the Faith | 3 |
REL 404 | Lutheran Confessions | 3 |
Christian Teacher Certification Requirements | ||
ED 2306 | Teaching the Faith | 3 |
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 110 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 313 Math in the Middle School are part of the English, Social Studies, Math and Science Minors
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
- Spanish Concentration
- Special Education Concentration
- Urban 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).