Specific Pedagocical Core for the Middle Childhood Program

EdSE601: Principles of Middle School Mathematics Instruction in General and Special Education, Grades 5-9
This course focuses on principles and practices for teaching middle school mathematics, including algebra and geometry; curriculum development and instructional approaches in developmental context, with attention to needs of typical adolescent learners and identification and remediation of major obstacles to student learning in mathematics; and application of mathematical and scientific concepts and skills to real-life settings.
3 credits

EdSE606: Principles of Middle School Science and Technology Instruction in General and Special Education, Grades 5-9
This course focuses on principles and guidelines for teaching middle school science and technology, including elementary principles of physics and chemistry and in-depth exploration of instructional approaches in the life sciences and earth science; application of mathematical concepts and skills in the study of science; application of scientific concepts to real- life settings; identification and remediation of major obstacles to student learning and achievement in the sciences; and critical approaches to the benefits and hazards of technology.
3 credits

EdSE607: Teaching Historical and Cultural Studies for Middle School Students in General and Special Education, Grades 5-9
This course focuses on social, cultural, and developmental contexts for teaching historical and cultural studies to a diverse middle school student population, including gifted students and students with disabilities; curriculum development, methods, and materials; language and literature in cultural context; overview of history and geography of United States and New York State; appreciation of the interrelationships among historical, social, economic, political, and cultural forces; varying forms of government; and ideas and ideals of citizenship.
3 credits

EdSE608: Teaching the Arts and Physical Education for Middle School Students in General and Special Education, Grades 5-9
This course focuses on self-expression, self-regulation, and self-exploration through the arts, sports and related physical activities for middle school students; cooperation in group art and sports activities for general education and special education students; the relationship of the arts, movement, physical education, and health education to other curricula areas, including literacy; approaches to participation in doing art work for students with disabilities; and approaches to adaptive physical education for students with disabilities.
3 credits

EdSE666: Language and Literature Studies for Middle School Students in General and Special Education, Grades 5-9
This course focuses on current approaches to assessing and promoting reading comprehension and critical reading and writing skills of middle school students; enhancement of oral and written communication skills; tapping into motivational factors in literacy development during the middle school years; and approaches to work with English language learners, gifted students, and students with disabilities during early adolescence.
3 credits
(This course is a prerequisite for SpEd668: Assessment, Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Disabilities for Middle School Students, Grades 5-9.)

SpEd668: Assessment, Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Disabilities for Middle School Students, Grades 5-9
This course focuses on developmental and cultural contexts for understanding symptoms and causes of reading disabilities of middle school students; diagnostic instruments and approaches to assessment of reading disabilities of adolescents; programs, materials, and methods for encouraging engagement with literature, including through writing, and for instruction of middle school students with reading disabilities; use of high interest reading material appropriate for adolescents with reading disabilities; and one-on-one work with a middle school child with reading disabilities, with completion of a comprehensive case study.
3 credits
(Prerequisite: EdSE666: Language and Literature Studies for Middle School Students in General and Special Education, Grades 5-9.)

SpEd671: Principles of Curriculum Development and Classroom Management for Middle School Students with Disabilities, Grades 5-9
This course focuses on general guiding concepts and skills in the teaching of reading, math, language arts, social studies, and science, with modifications of instructional methods and materials for middle school students with disabilities; creation of a physical and social school environment that fosters literacy development, maximizes learning productivity, and prevents unnecessary behavior problems; special attention to work with middle school students with autism; developmental and cultural contexts in approaches to understanding and intervening with children with emotional and behavioral problems in the middle school years; and attention to the importance of self-awareness and critical self-reflection in teachers of middle school students with disabilities.
3 credits

EdSE676: Field Experience in General and Special Education, Grades 5-9
Students complete 50 hours of field experience in general education at the grade 5-6 level or the grade 7-9 level. Students also complete 100 hours of field experience in working with students with disabilities at the level not used for general education. (Inclusion classes with strong special education components are acceptable.) All field experience is done in accredited schools with the involvement of appropriately certified supervising or cooperating teachers who submit student evaluation forms at the conclusion of the semester. Over the course of the field experience and practicum courses, some work is done in a high-need school or a school serving a high-need community. Students keep time sheets of their hours, logs in which critical incidents are recorded and analyzed, respond to questions involving middle school education, and complete two term papers. The course includes scheduled group meetings. An assigned Touro College faculty member meets with students at their field experience sites and evaluates student work for the course.
3 credits
Note: Should be taken within the first 18 credits of the program.

SpEd677: Practicum in Special Education, Grades 5-9
Students complete one 20-day practicum experience or its equivalent (at least 100 hours) teaching students with disabilities (inclusion classes with strong special education components are acceptable) at the grade 5-6 level and one 20-day experience or its equivalent (at least 100 hours) teaching students with disabilities (inclusion classes with strong special education components are acceptable) at the grade 7-9 level. All student teaching is done in accredited schools with the involvement of appropriately certified supervising or cooperating teachers who submit student evaluation forms at the conclusion of the semester. Over the course of the field experience and practicum courses, some work is done in a high-need school or a school serving a high-need community. Students keep time sheets of their hours, logs in which critical incidents are recorded and analyzed, respond to questions involving middle school education, and complete a comprehensive culminating project in which they analyze and discuss the ways in which various aspects of the program have affected their understanding of and interventions with children. Students also present a comprehensive case study that integrates relevant research. The course includes scheduled group meetings. An assigned Touro College faculty member observes student teachers presenting a minimum of two formal lessons in the classroom or other educational facility.
3 credits
(Prerequisite: SpEd668)
Note: Should be taken in the last semester of the program.