Middle Childhood Education

Educator working with middle schoolers in classroom

Bachelor of Arts

The middle childhood period (ages nine through fourteen and grades four through nine) lays the foundation for students to become good citizens, lifelong learners, and healthy, caring, ethical, and intellectually reflective individuals. Lourdes designed the Bachelor of Arts in Middle Childhood Education program to be developmentally responsive to young learners’ diverse and unique needs.

Teachers of middle childhood need specific training in facilitating the growth and development of the whole child in the domains of physical, cognitive, language, creative, social, and affective development.

Integrated into the Lourdes teacher preparatory methodology are conceptual fundamentals of child development theory, curriculum development, knowledge of environmental designs, classroom management, multicultural education, instructional technology, assessment, and various effective teaching practices. These practices are developmentally appropriate for the young adolescents and professionals you will teach.

As a middle childhood education major, you can choose to specialize in two of the following concentrations: Mathematics, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science.

Lourdes alums have secured successful teaching positions in several diocesan, public, and charter schools throughout the United States.

Middle childhood education majors may also wish to enroll in one of our certificate or endorsement programs.

Plan of Study

Total credit hours: 120

The Middle Childhood Program prepares teachers to work with learners from ages nine through fourteen and grades four through nine.

The exact number of credit hours needed for graduation is dependent upon the two areas of concentration selected.

REQUIRED CURRICULUM

Core Course Requirements

Lourdes University Connections (3 credit hours)
LUC 101 College Connections
LUC 102 Career Connections – Fulfilled by EDU 100
LUC 201 Concept Connections – Fulfilled by EDU 216
LUC 202 Communication Connections Fulfilled by EDU 251

English (6 credit hours)
ENG 101 College Composition
ENG 313 Theoretical Approaches to the Teaching of Writing

Mathematics (3 credit hours)
MTH 114 if ACT score < 22 or SAT score < 520, OR any Math course above MTH 114

Ethics (3 credit hours)
Education students meet the Core Curriculum Requirement for Ethics through an Integrated Approach of studying ethics for educators in five courses (EDU 100/101, EDU 230, EDU 216, EDU 317/319, EDU 329).

Enduring Question Seminar (2-3 credit hours)

Capstone in the major (12 credit hours)
EDM 490 Capstone: Middle Childhood Student Teaching

Service Learning (20 hours)

Cultural Diversity course or experience (3 credit hours)
EDU 216 Multicultural & Social Issues in Education

General Education

History (3 credit hours)
HST 121 Survey of United States History I or
HST 219 Ohio History

Literature (3 credit hours)
ENG 200 Introduction to Literature

Philosophy (3 credit hours)
Any PHL course

Theology (6 credit hours)
First course – one of the following:
THS 125 Foundation of Theology
THS 218 Celebrating the Sacraments
THS 220 Introduction to the Old Testament
THS 221 Introduction to the New Testament
THS 235 Survey of Catholic Belief
THS 265 Christian Ethics
THS 299 Topics in THS: Faith and Science
THS 312 Jesus, the Christ
THS 316 The Shape and Mission of the Church
Second course – Any Theology course (Note that if THS 101 was taken as a first course, THS 105 cannot be taken to fulfill the second course requirement.)

Art/Music (3 credit hours)
Any approved Art or Music course

Natural Science (3-4 credit hours)
Any approved Natural Science course

Social Science (3 credit hours)
EDU 250** Educational Psychology and Human Development

Professional Education Foundation Courses
EDU 100* Foundations of Education or
EDU 101 Foundations of Education Bridge Course
EDU 151 Technology in Learning
EDU 251 Technology & Pedagogy for Learning
EDU 351 Technology, Pedagogy & Content Knowledge for Learning
EDU 230** Survey of Special Needs Education
EDU 250** Educational Psychology and Human Development
EDU 216 Multicultural & Social Issues in Education
EDU 319 Classroom Management for Middle Childhood and Adolescence to Young Adult
EDU 329 Differentiated Instruction & Assessment

Middle Childhood Strand
EDM 235** Integrated Curriculum and Instruction in the Middle School
EDM 250* Middle Childhood Methods and Field Experience I
EDM 351-356* Concentration Area – Methods and Field Experience II
EDM490 Student Teaching
EDM 490 requires a 75-day (Approx. 15-week) field placement

Reading Strand
EDU 220 Reading Comprehension Skills and Strategies
EDU 221 Content Area Reading
EDU 324 The Role of Phonics and the Foundations of Reading
EDU 335 Reading Diagnosis, Assessment & Instructional Implications

Curriculum Content/Areas of Concentration
(Choose 2 of the 4 areas listed)

Language Arts
COM 100 Oral Communications
ENG 101 College Composition
ENG 200 Introduction to Literature
ENG 220 Structures of the English Language
ENG 300 Foundations of Western Literature
ENG 313 Theoretical Approaches to the Teaching of Writing
EDU 312

Math
MTH 114 Mathematical Principles for Educators II if ACT score < or equal to 22 or SAT score < or equal to 520 OR any additional math course higher than MTH 114
MTH 116 Math Pedagogy for Middle Childhood and AYA Teachers
MTH 122 College Algebra
MTH 130 Elementary Analysis
MTH 132 Calculus for the Managerial Sciences
MTH 204 Geometry
MTH 212 Statistics

Science
BIO 201 Principles of Biology
BIO 215 Basic Ecology
CHM/CHL 130 Intro to General Chemistry
SCI 370 Integrated Science for Teachers
PHS 112 Introduction to Earth Science
PHS 113 Principles of Physical Science
BIO 254 Health Science for Teachers of Young Adolescent to Young Adults

Social Studies
HST 103 History of World Civilization
HST 121 Survey of United States History I
HST 122 Survey of United States History II
HST 219 Ohio History
PLS 122 American National Government
GEO 260 World Regional Geography
BUS 200 Introduction to Economics

* Field experience required
** Clinical experience required

Learning Outcomes

The Department of Education is committed to preparing students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to become competent, caring and qualified teachers and lead rich, meaningful lives.

The curriculum and clinical & field experiences of the teacher education program are designed to provide students preparing to become teachers with the opportunities to demonstrate competency in meeting the following Teacher Candidate Performance Outcomes:

The teacher candidate will model the Franciscan values of reverence, service, and learning.
The teacher candidate will demonstrate an understanding of subject content, developmentally appropriate teaching practices, student learning and development, assessment, and respect for diversity.
The teacher candidate will plan developmentally appropriate and inclusive lessons that articulate clear learning goals, connect prior and future learning, and include appropriate assessment strategies that advance the learning of each individual student.
The teacher candidate will use a variety of instructional strategies, which may incorporate the appropriate use of technology, to make content comprehensible; to promote high order thinking; and use varied assessments to inform instruction, evaluate and ensure student learning.
The teacher candidate will create a positive and safe learning environment, incorporating consistent and appropriate standards for behavior, which respects and celebrates the diversity of all students.
The teacher candidate will use a variety of communication methods and collaborate with students, families (parents/guardians), school personnel, and community to support student learning and development.
The teacher candidate will engage in reflective practice to improve teaching performance and assume responsibility for professional growth, performance, and involvement as an individual and as a member of a learning community.

The Department of Education programs are designed to offer students the opportunity to achieve a liberal arts education and prepare students for the teaching profession. All programs meet the requirements as set forth by the Ohio Department of Education and the licensure requirements of the Ohio Department of Education. In order to graduate, students must meet the Lourdes University Department of Education requirements. The responsibility for meeting the goals and requirements rests with the student. Lourdes University Department of Education reserves the right to make changes to the courses of study and program requirements due to the frequent changes in national and state standards and regulations.

Certificate Programs

ELEMENTARY RELIGION TEACHER

Total credit hours: 15

The Elementary Religion Teacher Certificate is offered in collaboration with the Department of Theological Studies. It is designed for Primary and Middle Childhood Education majors who wish to teach religion in the Toledo Diocesan Catholic Elementary Schools. Students who successfully complete the designated courses listed below and who complete the Diocesan Orientation Program will be certified to teach religion in the Diocese. In most cases this program will only add one additional course to a student’s program.

EDE 350* Early Childhood Methods and Field Experience II or
EDM 351-356* Middle Childhood Methods and Field Experience II
THS 218       Celebrating the Sacraments
THS 220       Introduction to the Old Testament or
THS 221       Introduction to the New Testament
THS 235       Survey of Catholic Belief
THS 265       Christian Ethics

*Field experience required

CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL RELIGION TEACHER

Total credit hours: 48

The High School Religion Teacher Certificate is offered in collaboration with the Department of Theological Studies. It may be earned by Adolescence to Young Adult (AYA) Education majors, theological studies majors, or by individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree.

The certificate program is designed to prepare students with content knowledge in theological studies and the educational skills necessary to be successful religion teachers on the high school level.

Theological studies majors wishing to earn the certificate need to complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree in theological studies and include the following courses in their program:

Department of Theological Studies:
THS 211 History of Christianity: Origins to the Renaissance
THS 212 History of Christianity: Reformation to the Present
THS 218 Celebrating the Sacraments
THS 220 Introduction to the Old Testament
THS 221 Introduction to the New Testament
THS 235 Survey of Catholic Belief
THS 244 Great Religions of the East or
THS 246 Great Religions of the West
THS 265 Christian Ethics
THS 312 Jesus, The Christ
THS 435 Peace, Justice, and Forgiveness

Department of Education:
EDA 250* General Teaching Methods and Field Experience I
EDA 235** Curriculum & Instruction for Adolescents & Young Adults
EDA 355* Religious Education Methods and Field Experiences
EDU 250** Educational Psychology
EDU 216 Multicultural & Social Issues in Education
EDU 319* Classroom Management for Middle Childhood and Adolescence to Young Adult

*Field Experience required

**Clinical Experience required

Endorsement Programs

The Middle Childhood Generalist Endorsement is added to the Ohio Department of Education Middle Childhood Teaching License. The Ohio Department of Education has approved the Middle Childhood Generalist Endorsement license that can only be added to any existing Middle Childhood license and for any combination of the four areas of concentration. The generalist endorsement will allow teachers to teach grades 4-6 only. Candidates will only be allowed to obtain this license from an approved institution that has an approved generalist program in any of the four concentration areas (Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Math).

Middle Childhood Endorsement for Language Arts

In addition to the Core Curriculum Requirements (ENG 101: Composition I: Essay Writing, ENG 102: Composition II: Research & Writing, ENG 200: Introduction to Literature) the candidate must take the following two courses:

EDU 221 Content Area Reading
ENG 313 Theoretical Approaches to the Teaching of Writing

The candidate must also pass the OAE Test for Middle Childhood Language Arts OR pass the OAE Elementary Education Content Knowledge Subtest I and II.

Middle Childhood Endorsement for Social Studies

The candidate must take the following courses, one of which can be used to meet the Social Science General Education requirement:

PLS 122 American National Government
GEO 250 World Cultural Geography
HST 219 Ohio History
HST 121 Survey of United States History I

The candidate must also pass the OAE Test for Middle Childhood Social Studies OR pass the OAE Elementary Education Content Knowledge Subtest I and II.

Middle Childhood Endorsement for Mathematics

The candidate must take the following two courses:

MTH 114 Mathematical for Principles for Educators II
MTH 116 Math Pedagogy for Middle Childhood and AYA Teachers

The candidate must also pass the OAE Test for Middle Childhood Mathematics OR pass the OAE Elementary Education Content Knowledge Subtest I and II.

Middle Childhood Endorsement for Science

The candidate must take the following two courses:

SCI 170 Survey of Science
SCI 370 Integrated Science for Teachers

The candidate must also pass the OAE Test for Middle Childhood Science OR pass the OAE Elementary Education Content Knowledge Subtest I and II.

PRIMARY EDUCATION

The Primary Education Generalist Endorsement is added to the Ohio Department of Education Early Childhood P-3 teaching license. The Primary Education Endorsement, valid for teaching all core academic content areas in grades four and five may be added to an Early Childhood P-3 license upon evidence of completion of a minimum of nine additional semester hours of study aligned to the Ohio academic content standards for grades four and five, including preparation in pedagogy and child/adolescent development appropriate for grades four and five, and upon successful completion of the Generalist Endorsement for Primary Education – OAE Elementary Education Subtest I #018 Passing 220 and OAE Subtest II #019 Passing 220.

The three courses, nine semester hours, at the undergraduate level are:

EDU 375 Nature and Needs of Young Adolescents
EDU 380 Math and Science Pedagogical Skills and Content for Teachers of Gr. 4-5 students
EDU 385 Social Studies and Language Arts Pedagogical Skills and Content for Teachers for Gr. 4-5 students

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FACULTY

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