This course examines the role and responsibility of the secondary educator as an advocate for, and educator of students with diverse learning needs. Methods and structures to enable educators to understand, engage, and respond to the challenges presented within an academically diverse classroom are addressed. Special focus is given to research and applications for developing literacy, knowledge and competence within the content areas, and for facilitating post secondary transitions.

This course is the fall teaching internship for students enrolled in the BA: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion program. This internship (as part of a two course sequence) is the culminating field experience as required for certification. Students will complete internships hours with a certified teacher, supervised by a UNH instructor. Students will also attend a weekly seminar where course assignments will be completed.

This course is designed to help prospective and current teachers create and maintain caring, respectful classroom communities in which learners feel safe, valued, cared for, valued, and empowered. The course includes a strong emphasis on developing knowledge about the culture and backgrounds of children and families in order to establish positive interactions within the classroom community. The course addresses the challenges and opportunities in creating community in the increasingly diverse student populations in US schools. We will consider what it means to be culturally responsive in order to establish a classroom in which all students can succeed academically and socially.

Social Studies Methods explores practical teaching models, techniques of implementation, and relationships to curricula in elementary classroom instruction. The New Hampshire Social Studies Frameworks and Common Core Curriculum Standards for instruction are identified and implemented in creating lesson plans for a mini unit.