This course will explore key factors influencing early childhood development, highlighting contextual contributors (such as the role of family, community, culture, childcare/school, and policy) that shape early experiences. This will help you recognize the life-long consequences of contextual influences on young children's development and that multiple leverage points exist for creating a culturally responsive and nurturing environment for all.

This course is designed to increase students' knowledge of and ability to implement foundational and targeted instructional strategies aimed at promoting children's early mathematics skills in domains including numeracy, operations, geometry, patterning, and measurement. We will explore how to observe students' mathematics skills and how to collect meaningful information on children's mathematical thinking and use that to inform instruction.

Provides an introduction to theoretical foundations of how children learn to read and write as well the difficulties some children encounter as they progress in their literacy development. The course addresses basic components of effective literacy programs and instruction (e.g., concepts of print, fluency, phonological awareness, phonics, spelling, writing, comprehension, vocabulary) with attention to needs of diverse learners.

This one-credit course is for practicing educators and undergraduates wanting to learn about English Learners (Els) in today's classrooms. This course is an introductory-level consideration of the instructional opportunities and challenges presented by ELs. Participants explore their own language-learning as they consider what it means to learn a language. The course has four weeks of content; dates can include an orientation week and work time.

Field-based practicum for preservice teachers seeking initial licensure. Students develop skills in fostering positive professional relationships with students, colleagues, and peers; designing and implementing individual, small group, and whole class instruction; and observing and reflecting on practice. This course meets the guidelines for state-approved teacher education programs in Virginia.

Field-based practicum for preservice teachers seeking initial licensure. Students develop skills in fostering positive professional relationships with students, colleagues, and peers; designing and implementing individual, small group, and whole class instruction; and observing and reflecting on practice. This course meets the guidelines for state-approved teacher education programs in Virginia.

This course prepares individuals to administer, score, and interpret standard instruments; to use information procedures in the administration of assessments; and to interpret the combined results of psychological, sociological, medical, and educational assessments. Implications for use for assessment data will be discussed.

This course explores the meaning and concepts associated with the field of learning disabilities, including the psychological and behavioral characteristics of individuals with learning disabilities. Topics include specific causes, assessment, and treatment of learning disabilities and related disabilities. Educational, psychological, historical, and medical implications are addressed.

Presents cognitive and behavioral instructional approaches for teaching students with disabilities in a variety of service delivery options. Emphasis is given to collaborating and adapting instruction, assessment, and materials within inclusion and special education placements to support student achievement of the Virginia Standards of Learning.

Teaches elementary teachers fundamental science concepts in such areas related to scientific investigation as: reasoning & logic; force, motion, & energy; matter; life processes; living systems; interrelations in earth/space systems; earth patterns, cycles & change; & resources for teaching the Virginia Science Standards of Learning in PreK-6. Focuses on the planning, instruction, and assessment of science curriculum.