Middle Grades Education

Shimada Resource Center
College of Education and Human Development
150 Ritter Annex
1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
215-204-8011

The Bachelor of Science in Education in Middle Grades Education prepares undergraduate students for middle level teaching (fourth to eighth grades). Middle grades teachers, particularly in math and science education, are increasingly sought out and in high-demand in Pennsylvania as well as across the country.

The College of Education and Human Development program in Middle Grades Education is designed to ensure not only that there are certified teachers to fill the growing vacancies, but that our students graduate highly knowledgeable about learning and teaching as well as committed to pre/adolescent learners from diverse ethnic, economic and geographic backgrounds. To that end, our program focuses on building deep content-specific pedagogical knowledge aligned to the breadth of academic standards and the wide-ranging developmental needs of middle grades students. To develop a strong link between learning theories and actual pedagogical practice, we also require that our students engage in early, often and strategic field/clinical education experiences in middle grades settings.

Our program stands out as cutting-edge because we prepare undergraduate students to teach in both the upper elementary and middle grades classrooms.

In addition to becoming certified to teach all elementary subjects in 4-6th grades, all Middle Grades Education students will pursue either single or dual certification for 7-8th grades in one of the following concentrations:

  • Language Arts
  • Mathematics and Language Arts
  • Mathematics and Science
  • Mathematics
  • Science and Language Arts
  • Science
  • Social Studies

GPA Requirements:
In order to maintain good standing in Middle Grades Education, students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and a 2.0 grade point average in the course work in their concentration areas.

Programs

Courses

MGRE 3109. Cognitive Development in the Content Areas. 3 Credit Hours.

The primary goal of this course is to present contemporary theories and research on cognitive development that has relevance for educators of students in the middle grades. Foci include (a) theories of learning, development, motivation, expertise, and intelligence, (b) development of concepts and skills within the domains of math, science, social studies, reading, writing, (c) individual, gender, and ethnic differences in achievement; and (d) using cognitive developmental theories and research to understand learning challenges faced by special education and ELL students. By learning this information, students will gain the knowledge they need to make good instructional decisions in the middle-level classroom. NOTE: Background clearances required.

College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Education & Human Development.
Student Attribute Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Student Attributes: Clearance for Education.

Co-requisites: MGRE 3111.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in EDUC 2109 (may be taken concurrently)

MGRE 3111. Applications of Learning Theory to Middle Grades Education. 3 Credit Hours.

This course will introduce students to the structure and philosophy of middle level schools, curriculum, and instruction by examining their relationship to aspects of young adolescent development and theories of learning. Emphasis will be placed on current understandings of how early adolescents learn and how these understandings inform instructional practices. Issues of motivating, engaging, and managing diverse, young adolescent students will be explored. NOTE: Background clearances required.

College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Education & Human Development.
Student Attribute Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Student Attributes: Clearance for Education.

Co-requisites: MGRE 3109.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in EDUC 2109 (may be taken concurrently)

MGRE 3145. Teaching and Learning Math in the Middle Grades. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines methods of teaching and assessing mathematics in the middle grades. Special attention is paid to understanding the conceptual difficulties students have in moving from whole numbers to rational numbers, additive thinking to multiplicative thinking, and arithmetic to algebra. Problem-solving, connections, and concrete models are emphasized.

College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Education & Human Development.
Student Attribute Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Student Attributes: Clearance for Education.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: EDCNDCY.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

MGRE 3196. Teaching and Learning Literacy in the Middle Grades. 3 Credit Hours.

The purpose of this writing intensive course is to prepare pre-service students to teach reading and English/language arts in the upper elementary and middle level settings. Students will be introduced to theories and current views of practice in the literacy field. The areas of language, listening, reading and writing are presented throughout this course as interrelated and integrated processes. Emphasis will be on providing pre-service teachers with the competencies to implement engaging literacy instructional practices while providing ongoing assessment for a diverse middle grades population.

College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Education & Human Development.
Student Attribute Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Student Attributes: Clearance for Education.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: EDCNDCY.

Co-requisites: MGRE 3296, SPED 3187.

Course Attributes: WI

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (MGRE 3109 and MGRE 3111)

MGRE 3296. Cultures, Communities, and Families. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines the ways practices of cultures, communities and families impact teaching and learning. Using the social studies disciplines and pedagogical frames, special attention is paid to the areas of multicultural and citizenship education as well as other compelling topics that influence the "public or common good" in a diverse society such as race relations, gender socialization, immigration, religious freedom, equality of economic and social opportunities as well as global interdependence.

College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Education & Human Development.
Student Attribute Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Student Attributes: Clearance for Education.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: EDCNDCY.

Co-requisites: MGRE 3196, SPED 3187.

Course Attributes: WI

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (MGRE 3109 and MGRE 3111)

MGRE 4108. Teaching and Learning Science in the Middle Grades. 3 Credit Hours.

The purpose of this course is to prepare pre-service teachers to teach science in the upper elementary and middle level settings. The course will be based on the "Big Ideas" in the field of science and science education and will focus heavily on scientific inquiry as a pedagogical approach and a learning goal. The Big Ideas in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth/Space Sciences will be integrated into the various classes along with themes, such as motivating students, assessing & moving student's ideas toward science conceptions through inquiry, using questioning and flexible teaching methods (based on how children learn), and integrating science with other disciplines. Students will apply, evaluate, and reflect upon science teaching methods through class and lab activities, case studies, field experience assignments, and instructional technology (e.g., science web sites and videos). Assignments for the course will use the foundation fostered in the course to examine (a) science content, (b) student conceptions, (c) the meeting of theory and practice, (d) instructional resources (e.g., websites), and (e) lesson planning.

College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Education & Human Development.
Student Attribute Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Student Attributes: Clearance for Education.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: EDCNDCY.

Co-requisites: SPED 4109.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (MGRE 3109 and MGRE 3111)

MGRE 4801. Senior Seminar and Performance Assessment in Middle Grades Education. 3 Credit Hours.

Students will be involved in experiences that prepare them for making the transition from college to the practice setting, and engage in activities that foster professionalism in school and community settings. The senior performance assessment, a requirement for teacher certification students, is also a part of the course. NOTE: This is a required course for all teacher certification candidates, which is taken during the student teaching semester.

College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Education & Human Development.
Student Attribute Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Student Attributes: Clearance for Education.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: EDCNDCY.

Co-requisites: MGRE 4888.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

MGRE 4888. Student Teaching in the Middle Grades. 9 Credit Hours.

The student teaching experience is the last course taken before completion of a teacher preparation program and graduation. Students are provided with an opportunity to be in a classroom for an extended period of time and to put into practice what they have learned in their Middle Grades Program. Over the course of the semester, students will experience, in depth, the full role and meaning of teaching in a middle grades classroom. Experiences include planning and organizing for instruction, developing classroom teaching competencies and skills, evaluating pupil progress, participating in extra-class activities, working with special school personnel, and utilizing school and community resources in the instructional program. NOTE: Background clearances required. All coursework must be completed before taking this course.

College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Education & Human Development.
Student Attribute Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Student Attributes: Clearance for Education.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: EDCNDCY.

Co-requisites: MGRE 4801.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

Pre-requisites: minimum GPA of 3 in: courses numbered 0700 to 4999.