Middle Level Education Minor

T&L 339. Educational Technology. 3 Credits.

Students will demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts and operations that not only support classroom curriculum but provide an avenue for continuing professional development. Students will learn to apply technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment and evaluation strategies. The class will help students understand the social, ethical, legal and human issues that surround the use of technology in PK-12 schools. F,S,SS.

T&L 341. Foundations of Middle Level Education. 2 Credits.

This course promotes understanding the needs of early adolescent students and of the interdisciplinary, collaborative teaching approaches associated with the middle school philosophy. The course addresses the components of organization. Prerequisite: Admission to the Teacher Education program. F.

T&L 350. Development and Education of the Adolescent. 3 Credits.

A comprehensive examination of the characteristics and behavior of the adolescent student with implications for curriculum and instruction in the junior/middle and high schools. Topics covered will be transition from childhood to adolescence, including cognitive development, self-concept, physiological changes, social needs and values, and values and attitudes of adolescents. This course will provide an understanding of the wide range of differences in developmental patterns of children and the influences of economic, sociological and psychological factors in development. An additional 10 hour field experience is required for the course. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education Program and T&L 250. F.

T&L 409. Reading in the Content Areas. 3 Credits.

This course emphasizes instructional strategies and techniques for reading and writing, as well as the use of varied texts, in the content area classroom. This course also includes scientifically- and researched-based best practices including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, as well as assessment of reading abilities and the identification and correction of reading difficulties to increase student achievement. Prerequisite: Admission to the Teacher Education program. F,S.

T&L 433. Multicultural Education. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to implement a multicultural approach to teaching and learning by examining how race, ethnicity, and culture influence students' experiences in schools. This course's content provides teacher candidates with the knowledge and concepts they need to enhance their understanding of socio-cultural consciousness through culturally responsive and relevant pedagogy. Teacher candidates will understand how to develop appropriate, informed, and sensitive responses to the rich diversity (gender, sexuality, exceptionality, age, socioeconomic status, religion, ethnicity, race, language, and culture) of student learners in the classroom as a pathway to be inclusive. This course explores immigration and refugees' issues and examines cultural assumptions, implicit biases, attitudes, and values that shape our perceptions and predicate our actions. This exploration prepares teacher candidates to create spaces in their learning environments where all learners are supported through acknowledgment of multiple identities, funds of knowledge, and experiences to surface and interrupt oppression. This multicultural course highlights the effects of settler colonialism on Native Peoples. This course will help students to learn about the American Indian Reservations in North Dakota: The history, language, school settings, population, tribal governments, sovereignty laws, and early education for North Dakota's Native Peoples. Note: course requires you to complete 10 hours of field experience working with students from diverse backgrounds. Prerequisite: Admission to the Teacher Education program. F,S,SS.