Elementary Field Experiences

Coordinator: Kelli Diaz

If you are registering for one of the following courses, please refer to the department calendar for the orientation meetings each term.

All field experience placements are set up by the placement coordinator. Students may not seek their own placement.

EDN 324: Math Methods (20 hour practicum experience) Preservice teacher with students

Principles, aims, methods, and techniques of teaching math at the elementary level. In this course students compare and contrast the significance of mathematics in the elementary school curriculum as it relates to current educational and psychological theories about learning. Students relate various theories of learning to methods and materials used in the elementary mathematics classroom. Required: 20 field experience hours. Prerequisite: EDN 100; PSY 205 or concurrent enrollment; MTH 107; MTH 108; 2.50 GPA recommended.

EDN 326: Science Methods (20 hour practicum experience)

A study of content, methodology, and current research on teaching and learning in elementary and middle school science. Emphasis on developing a range of teaching skills appropriate for effective and engaging science instruction. Students develop, teach, and reflect on lessons. Through a range of experiences examining model programs, curriculum resources, and hands-on activities, students gain an understanding of effective science teaching. Required: 20 Field experience hours. Corequisite: EDN 328. Prerequisites: EDN 100; PSY 205 or concurrent enrollment; one science course; 2.50 GPA recommended. Preservice teacher with students

EDN 328: Social Studies Methods (20 hour practicum experience)

A study of the principles, aims, and methods of teaching social studies to students in elementary and middle schools. Its main purpose is gaining an understanding of developing K-8 students' abilities to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world. Required: 20 field experience hours. Corequisite: EDN 326. Prerequisites: EDN 100; PSY 205 or concurrent enrollment; one 100- or 200-level U.S. HST course; 2.50 GPA recommended.

EDN 365: Reading Methods (40 hour practicum experience)

The course is designed to provide students with an extended supervised field experience in an elementary/middle school classroom with emphasis on teaching reading. Students observe, assist, and teach several language arts lessons under the joint supervision of a cooperating teacher in the school and a supervisor from NCC. Students must develop lesson plans, conduct the lessons, and evaluate their own teaching of these lessons in consultation with the teacher and the supervisor. Students submit written lesson plans along with their reflective self evaluations after the teaching of the lessons. Corequisite: EDN 362. Required: 40 hours field experience. Background check required.

EDN 369: Language Arts Methods (40 hour practicum experience)

The course is designed to provide students with an extended supervised field experience in an elementary/middle school classroom with emphasis on teaching language arts. Students observe, assist, and teach several language arts lessons under the joint supervision of a cooperating teacher in the school and a supervisor from NCC. Students must develop lesson plans, conduct the lessons, and evaluate their own teaching of these lessons in consultation with the teacher and the supervisor. Students submit written lesson plans along with their reflective self evaluations after the teaching of the lessons. Corequisite: EDN 367. Required: 40 hours field experience. Background check required.

EDN 485: Student Teaching (full time, entire term)

Observe, plan, and teach under guidance of cooperating teacher; emphasis on guided teaching in actual classrooms. Ten full weeks following the public school calendar. Includes on-campus seminar requirement. Background check required. Must be admitted to Teacher Education Program.

Elementary Supervisors

Supervisors are assigned through the placement office for experiences over 40 hours. Current supervisors are:

Sue Carroll
Kelli Diaz
Cynthia Fauth
Angea Greco
Kathleen Kane
Maureen Kincaid
Don Kuhn
Shwuyi Leu
Carl Pinnow
Mary Beth Ressler