Students will intern in a field experience at birth through 36 months integrating prior early childhood coursework through the preparation of interdisciplinary units designed and delivered in a birth through 36 months environment. Restricted to students admitted to the early childhood endorsement/licensure program.

Students will intern in a field experience with kindergarten children integrating prior early childhood coursework through the preparation of interdisciplinary units designed and delivered in a kindergarten environment. Field experience reflections addressing the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards will be compiled into a field experience portfolio. Restricted to students admitted to the early childhood endorsement/licensure program. May be repeated for credit.

Students will intern in a field experience in grade one, two, or three integrating prior early childhood coursework through the preparation of interdisciplinary units designed and delivered within an environment of children in grade 1-3. Field experience reflections addressing the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards will be compiled into a field experience portfolio. Restricted to students admitted to the early childhood endorsement/licensure program. May be repeated for credit.

The course is designed to provide teachers the opportunity to gain deeper understanding of the art of teaching writing. Current research and theory will provide a foundation of knowledge to effictively teach writing as a communication tool. Content will include the following: reading-writing-speaking connections; the stages of spelling development; the writing process; qualities of effective writing; writing conferences; and an exploration of different types of writing. As participants take on the role of a writer, connections will be made regarding how to link theory and practice to effective classroom applications.

Identification and Programming for the Gifted will provide opportunities to examine the complex issues around identification of gifted students, including twice-exceptionality and English language learners. Participants will study the areas of giftedness as identified in Iowa code: general intellectual ability, creative thinking, leadership ability, visual and performing arts ability and specific ability aptitude. Participants will examine, discuss, determine, and evaluate programming models and options that best meet the needs of each of these populations of students.

Administration and supervision of gifted programs will provide opportunities for students to audit, examine, develop, and/or improve their written comprehensive gifted and talented program plan and programming. Participants will study their current plans, consider best practices in gifted education, analyze data, and more.

Gifted Education Internship is the culmination of course work to qualify for the TAG endorsement. This internship focuses on application of best practices related to the field of gifted education. Participants will take part in 20 hours of learning and leadership experiences in multiple educational settings, supervised cooperatively by the university internship supervisor and/or an approved mentor in the field of gifted education. A minimum of 10 of the required 20 hours must be outside of participants current grade level endorsement area. Participants will showcase their knowledge and skills acquired through their previous three required courses and the on-site clinical experiences in the internship. Internship opportunities include any administration, supervision or teaching opportunities that are components for either Iowa Code for gifted and talented programming or Gifted Education Standards from the National Association of Gifted Children. Candidates will reflect upon a minimum of 10 varied experiences. Upon completion of the internship candidates will have completed documentation showing understanding and application of each of the NAGC Gifted Education Standards and share their compilation of learning through a 20 minute presentation similar to Viterbo Universitys capstone presentations. Restricted to students admitted to the Iowa talented and gifted graduate program.

A course, on a special topic in the discipline at the post-baccalaureate or master degree level, offered on the basis of need, interest, or time lines. May be repeated for credit. See registrars office current class schedules Web page for specific semester description.

This course explores quality K-8 childrens literature for modeling the reading and writing of varied genres, including fiction and nonfiction, technology and media-based information, and non-print materials. Research-based vocabulary and comprehension strategies, selecting quality literature, and engaging students through writing in response to literature will be emphasized. Various childrens literature books will be used to provide motivation through the use of texts and multiple levels, broad interests, reflecting various cultures, linguistic backgrounds, and perspectives such as: African, African American, Asian, Latino, and Native American. This course also includes helping children acquire an appreciation of literature and develop lifelong reading habits.

This course will focus on a variety of instructional strategies including sight word acquisition, phonemic awareness skills, decoding strategies, and reading fluency. Well sample emergent guided reading lessons for K2 and explore a variety of quality childrens literature for use in a shared reading setting. Many hands-on literacy center examples will demonstrate independent student behaviors. A Thirty Minute Model will examine components to support struggling readers. Bring one or two literacy station strategies to share with colleagues.