EDUC150 Science and Math Experiences for Young Children
Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Education
- I. Course Number and Title
- EDUC150 Science and Math Experiences for Young Children
- II. Number of Credits
- 3 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 2250
- IV. Prerequisites
- None
- Corequisites
- None
- V. Other Pertinent Information
- This course requires five hours of observation. Pennsylvania Department of Education Clearances required.
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- Participants in this course learn the development of children's mathematical and scientific thinking and identify and create science and math experiences to support that development. Students create standards-based science and math experiences using appropriate materials. Students complete five hours of observation.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
-
-
Course Learning Goals
Students will:- Describe the importance of appropriate math and science education and the young child's natural curiosity about mathematical and scientific concepts;
- Demonstrate an understanding of the basic scientific and mathematical principles involved in the education of young children, which include observing, classifying, measuring, experimenting, and problem solving;
- Demonstrate an understanding of cognitive development and developmentally appropriate practice as they relate to teaching science and math to young children; and
- Create lessons that integrate science and math instruction, that are standards-based, and that are developmentally appropriate for young children.
-
Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
- Introduction: Concept Development
- Concepts and how they develop
- How concepts are acquired
- Assessment and Instruction
- Concept development through problem solving
- Children's developmental levels
- Fundamental Concepts and Skills
- One-to-one correspondence
- Number sense and counting
- Logic and classifying
- Comparing
- Shape
- Spatial sense
- Parts/whole
- Applying Fundamental Concepts and Skills
- Ordering, seriation, and patterning
- Measurement, volume, weight, temperature
- Science Content and Skills
- Basics of science
- How young scientists use concepts
- Planning for Science
- Fundamental concepts in science
- Activities and units
- Mathematics in the Primary Grades
- The math environment
- Science in the Primary Grades
- The science environment
-
Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
The assessment of course learning goals will be based on participation in classroom discussions, online discussions, written exams, assignments, papers, observation (5 hours), and performance-based tasks and projects. -
Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
See course syllabus.
-
Review/Approval Date - 3/99; New Core 8/2015; Revised 6/2017