Presentation of the knowledge base and practice in the skills needed to locate educational research information; analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the complied materials; and write a professional research report based on the composite findings.

General principles of the physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and moral development of early adolescents and the developmental implications on curriculum and instruction, learning, the learner's potentialities with attention to individual differences, the environment of effective learning, application of psychology to educational problems.

Presentation of the knowledge base and methodology needed to guide students in the middle grades toward competency and maturity as readers and writers and practice in the teaching/learning strategies related to reading in all content area disciplines.

Presentation of methods of communication between the home and school for the classroom teacher will be explored. The use of classroom management software for school reports, student information sheets, newsletters, electronic mail, and letters to home as well as telephone skills will be practice. Exploration of the use of community resources and evaluation as related to meeting the needs of middle level students and families.

A survey of test theory with particular emphasis upon the use of assessment techniques in the middle level classroom as an educational decision-making tool.

A study of the major areas of exceptionalities including the learning disabled, mentally retarded, physically handicapped, and the gifted, and their special needs in a school program.

A study of the development and source of literature for the middle childhood/early adolescent student. Emphasis will be on integrating literature across the curriculum and on methods of encouraging reading as a lifelong pleasurable pursuit.

This course is a review of adolescent development with regard to instructional needs in writing. This course provides strategies for teaching writing in all content areas with an emphasis on text-based writing.

A study of the developmental curriculum, instruction and pedagogy for teaching the middle level student. Emphasis will be on an interdisciplinary approach to curriculum design.

MLED 4023 Residency A Seminar is a series of 90 hours of observation, participation, and teaching experiences ranging from individual to large group settings conducted in selected middle level settings designed to prepare the teacher candidate for a smooth transition to internship in a clinical setting. A survey of school law designed to give teacher candidates an awareness of legal rights and responsibilities of teachers, students, and public schools is presented at the beginning of the course before students begin practicum hours.

In a select setting supervision of experienced middle level professionals, teacher candidates will prepare, facilitate, and evaluate an appropriate curriculum experience for instruction of the early adolescent.

MLED 4909 Residency B is a minimum of fifteen weeks of reflective clinical internship at the middle level. In a select setting under supervision of experienced middle level professionals, teacher candidates will prepare, facilitate, and evaluate an appropriate curriculum experience for instruction of the early adolescent.

A study of developmentally appropriate curriculum, instruction, and pedagogy for teaching the young adolescent with an understanding of the historical perspective of middle schools and programs.

Prospective middle level teachers will study the educational implications of the developmental period of young adolescence. An emphasis is placed on developmental characteristics of the young adolescent highlighting the role of the middle level teacher in promoting the healthy development of the young adolescent.

Prospective middle level teachers will study the educational implications of the economic, cultural, racial, and intellectually diverse middle level classroom.