Course Description
Students in this course will use developmental science to explore the foundations of early child development. These principles will be applied to P-5 science education, with special emphasis on best teaching practices in the sciences, such as agricultural science education.
Athena Title
Child Develop and Teach in Sci
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
- Understand cognitive development in early to middle childhood. - Align teaching strategies in the sciences with cognitive capabilities of elementary school children. - Understand social, emotional, and motivational development in early to middle childhood. - Identify and design teaching strategies that support social, emotional, and motivational development. - Discuss parent, peer, and community influences on development in educational settings. - Interpret scientific evidence on best practices in science teaching and applying evidence-based teaching practices for P-5 learners.
Topical Outline
- Cognitive development with a special emphasis on the development of scientific thinking - Emotional and moral development as it relates to science education - The development of motivation and self-regulation skills and their relation to children’s education - The role of identity and community in science learning - Distinctions between objectivist and constructivist teaching in the sciences - Application: Design a lesson plan for P-5 on a scientific topic utilizing evidence-based practices
Syllabus