EDUC 300 - Integrated Arts in the Elementary School Classroom (3)

This course is designed to equip prospective teacher education candidates with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively integrate the arts and literature into content areas in the elementary and early childhood classrooms. In the context of the course the term ‘arts’ includes literature as an essential component of arts integration. This course is tailored for prospective elementary educators who aspire to apply a multidisciplinary approach situating literacy as a foundation for learning into their teaching practice to create rich, inclusive, and engaging learning experiences for all students. Recognizing the transformative power of quality arts-integrated instruction, this course underscores its potential to enhance student achievement, comprehension, motivation, and engagement across diverse learning communities. Prospective teachers will learn to critically examine digital and print texts with a critical lens to ensure high quality and multicultural perspectives are included. Additionally, candidates will explore pedagogical practices of the individual disciples and create lessons that address critical competencies across a wide range of subject areas. Teaching science, social studies, physical education, health, math and ELA through an inquiry, arts-based approach will strengthen candidates’ content and pedagogical knowledge of early childhood and elementary curriculum. Through a blend of theoretical frameworks, pedagogical strategies, and practical field experiences, candidates will learn how to create dynamic, inclusive, and responsive learning environments where arts integration fosters meaningful learning, encourages mastery, and supports problem-solving and creative thinking. Co-req: EDUC 306. Offered: Spring.