SCED 450 - Methods and Materials for Teaching High School English

3 Credits
3 hours per week.

The purpose of this course is to help the pre-service teacher acquire the abilities, understanding and skills needed in teaching English at the secondary school level. This course includes the study of aims, objectives and methods of teaching English at the secondary school level; the selection of course content and its organization; the study of typical units in composition and literature; and the study of teacher planning, evaluation and related co-curricular activities. Specifically, this course is designed to assist the pre-service teacher: (1) in the use of effective verbal, nonverbal and media communications to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interactions in the classroom; and, (2) in the application of effective planning, management and instructional techniques that are based on knowledge of the content area, and on community and curriculum needs. This course serves two integrative functions as it proposes to teach the pre-service teacher: (1) to integrate the competencies and knowledge acquired in major, professional and pedagogical courses to create learning experiences that make the central concepts, tools of inquiry and structures of the content area meaningful for all students; and, (2) to create learning experiences that build on the experimental, cultural, racial, gender and socioeconomic diversity of students in order that they might achieve higher levels of learning. Knowledge and procedures required for the successful implementations of assessment outcomes for English are addressed. Requisite: Students enrolled in methods courses are required to participate in practicum experiences in the public schools. To introduce the yearlong internship, and to comply with the 100 consecutive days expectations, candidates will be required to attend seminars during the first and second semester. The interns will receive prerequisite activities designed for a successful completion of the internship.

Prerequisite(s) Completion of all professional education requirements and senior status.