EDU 532 Integrating Curriculum and Instruction with the Arts for the Developing Child

4 Credits

The theoretical perspectives of curriculum development in early and elementary classrooms are examined in this course. These perspectives are, then, used to analyze curricula and make informed choices when planning instruction, selecting instructional materials, and assessing individual and group progress. This course also prepares the student to develop the reflective teaching skills that are needed to work with English Language Learners from Pre-K to Grade 4. Students must demonstrate their understanding of learning as a process that integrates all areas of the development of children from birth to age 8 that include emotional, social, language, cognitive, physical, and creative, and utilize a variety of instructional strategies so that all children can become interested and engaged in learning. Students must also be able to demonstrate their understanding of how they combine relationships with children and families, develop effective approaches to teaching and learning, and show knowledge of academic disciplines to design, implement, and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning. They also develop knowledge of theory and research on creativity and utilize these skills to integrate the meaningful use of arts processes and content to introduce, develop, or bring closure to lessons in all academic areas.