This course is an introduction to the content and processes of science. Strategies of teaching science will be studied and practiced and will prepare you in assisting the classroom teacher in group and individual activities in science. Current science processes, strategies, procedures, assessment options, and factors affecting science learning will be explored.

Students analyze current content in social studies education as recommended by the National Council for the Social Studies and design learning opportunities for the five components of social studies: Geography. History. Culture and Society. Civics and Government, and Economics. Students explore factors that influence social studies instruction.

This course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge and skills in the area of media and computer resources as it relates to the instructional assistant. Students in this course will gain hands-on computer and media experience and will learn how to operate a variety of equipment. A variety of school related documents will be prepared while using selected software. Students incorporate images into documents from a variety of sources, including digital cameras and scanners.

Race, Ethnic, and Diversity Studies is a course that draws from several disciplines to reaffirm the basic American values of justice and equality by teaching a basic vocabulary, a basic history of immigration and conquest, principles of transcultural communication, legal liability, and the value of aesthetic production to increase the probability of respectful encounters among people.

Practicum I will introduce the student to a diverse classroom setting at an elementary, middle school and/or high school level. The student will observe children and practice techniques under the guidance of a DPI certified teacher.

Students identify research-based interventions for learners in categories defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Students interpret Individualized Educational Programs and examine special education related services available for learners. Students collect data to document student behavior and academic performance and recommend program adaptations and accommodations for students with disabilities while applying the concepts of least restrictive environment and inclusion.

Students explore various genres of children's and young adult literature. Students examine techniques used to support learners in reading and writing and strategies for assessing learners in the process. Students examine techniques to support learners with reading and writing across the curriculum.

Students analyze personal culture, explore cultural constructs, evaluate cultural bias in educational materials and analyze strategies to support English Learners. Students examine diversity in the classroom and develop techniques for supporting equity in the learning environment. In addition, students collaborate to identify service needs in the community and demonstrate professional collaboration skills through participating in a service learning project.

This course examines interpersonal relationships of humans and groups and the consequent structure of society. It details the various social processes and concepts which shape human behavior, analyzing such phenomena as organizations, deviance, race and ethnic relations, population, urbanization, social change, and social movements. Religion, education, and the family are studied.

This course is designed for learners to develop knowledge and skills in all aspects of the writing process. Planning, organizing, writing, editing and revising are applied through a variety of activities. Students will analyze audience and purpose, use elements of research, and format documents using standard guidelines. Individuals will develop critical reading skills through analysis of various written documents.