Elementary Education

What it’s about:

Elementary education majors to teach children in the elementary grades, which can range from K (kindergarten) through 8, depending on the school system. In addition to learning how to teach specific subject, such as reading and math you study the way children develop socially and intellectually, and you get hands-on professional experience in teaching and learning.

What the study of this major like:

Almost all elementary education programs offer liberal arts foundation, a professional education core that includes course work in teaching methods, and a variety of student- teaching experiences in elementary school settings. The goal is to prepare you for state have different rules, and there may be special requirement for teaching kindergarten through third grade (K-3) or grades 6-8. In addition to completing the elementary education major, many states require students to pass tests in subject matter, communications, and knowledge of methods, in order to be certified. Some states also require a second major in particular subject area (e.g., language arts) or specialty (e. g., reading).

Most elementary school teachers instruct one class in several subjects, using a wide range of tools, such as games, music, artwork, films, books, and computers. Therefore, you should probably take between 50 and 60 Percent of your course work in the humanities, social sciences, technology, and mathematics – mostly during your first two years. Generally, you do not become fully admitted into the major until your second year, after you meet certain requirement. They vary among colleges, so be sure to out what they are before you enroll in a program.

In methods courses, you focus on ways to instruct children, and you develop your capacity to solve problems that may arise as you introduce reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies to young children. You also gain practice in planning lessons, evaluating learning, and managing the classroom. Some elementary education majors can minor in early childhood or special education.

Throughout the major, practical experiences in schools are typically interwoven with classroom studies. As you observe, assist, and teach elementary children, what you’ve learned in your classes becomes more meaningful and more useful. Student teaching, which normally occurs in your last semester, is often the high point of the elementary education major. This experience, under the supervision of both college and school instructors, gives you a big boost in your goal becoming a teacher.

Career options and trends:

Besides teaching in the elementary schools, majors who pursue appropriate graduate training can become school administrators, educational researchers, curriculum, specialists, reading specialists, or school counsellors.

Currently there is no shortage of elementary school teachers, and enrollment of elementary school children is projected to rise slowly overall; but these factors will vary by region. Fast-growing states in the south and west – particularly California, Texas, Georgia, Idaho, Hawaii, Alaska, and New Mexico – will experience the largest enrollment increases. Minority teachers and teachers who are bilingual in Spanish are in short supply, and demand for these will grow with the rising enrollment of minority and Spanish-speaking children.

While certification requirements vary by states, all states require a bachelor’s degree and completion an approved teacher education program with a prescribed number of subject and education credits as well as supervised student teaching. About one-third of the states also require technology training, and some require specific minimum grade point averages as well.

Source: CollegeBoard 2012 Book of Majors