I. Course Title: Student Teaching in Social Studies Grades 6-12
                                    
                                    II. Course Number: EDUC 669
                                    
                                    III. Credit Hours: 6 credits
                                    
                                    IV. Prerequisites: Successful completion of Early Field Experiences in Teaching Social
                                       Studies Grades 6-12 (EDUC 649 ) as demonstrated on the final early field experience
                                       evaluations; recommendation of the candidate’s university field supervisor.
                                    
                                    V. Course Description: 
                                    
                                    This semester long full-time field experience provides teacher candidates extensive
                                       clinical experience in a grade level appropriate for licensure in social studies teaching
                                       at the middle level (grades 6-8) or secondary level (grades 6-12).  Candidates design
                                       and deliver a wide variety of learning experiences in their placement with the advantage
                                       of mentorship and coaching provided by schools, licensed teachers, and university
                                       faculty.  Candidates begin by observing and co-teaching with their cooperating teachers
                                       and then transition to assume full responsibility for appropriate social studies classes.
                                       Regularly scheduled seminars enhance professional development of the candidate and
                                       are included as a percentage of the student teaching grade.
                                    
                                    VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:
                                    
                                    During this clinical experience, candidates are placed in a middle/secondary (grades
                                       6-12) social studies classroom with a certified cooperating teacher. The semester
                                       begins with the candidate completing observations of both the teacher and the students,
                                       learning about the school culture, and assisting the teacher as needed with day-to-day
                                       classroom tasks. As the semester progresses the candidate is given additional instructional
                                       responsibilities with students – individually and in small and large groups. The candidate
                                       also takes pedagogy classes and completes assignments in their classroom setting throughout
                                       the semester, culminating in a multi-day, candidate designed instructional sequence.
                                       During this time, the candidate teaches and assesses an instructional unit of study
                                       that they have planned. Candidates’ practices will utilize the Virginia Department
                                       of Education regulations for preparing educators and the National Council for the
                                       Social Studies National Standards for the Preparation of Social Studies Educators.
                                    
                                    Weekly seminars are scheduled to enhance the professional development of candidates
                                       enrolled in this field experience and include, but are not limited to the following
                                       topics: 
                                    
                                    
                                       
                                       - Classroom Management 
 
                                       
                                       - Social Emotional Learning including issues surrounding trauma
 
                                       
                                       - Teaching Diverse Learners 
 
                                       
                                       - Professional growth, reflection, and evaluation 
 
                                       
                                       - Communicating with Families
 
                                       
                                       - Professional Behaviors 
 
                                       
                                    
                                    VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:
                                    
                                    Candidate placements are made in appropriate social studies classrooms in grades 6-12.
                                       Candidates practice teaching diverse learners under the supervision of approved cooperating
                                       teachers and university supervisors.  Candidates are embedded in schools full-time
                                       throughout the semester. Effective lesson planning, assessment, instructional delivery,
                                       and classroom management are key focus areas. The experience begins with observation
                                       and culminates in assumption of full teaching responsibility. The student teaching
                                       experience provides for a minimum of 300 clock hours with at least 150 hours spent
                                       supervised in direct teaching activities.
                                    
                                    VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:
                                    
                                    Goals, objectives, and assignments address the Virginia Department of Education regulations
                                       for preparing middle/secondary (grades 6-12) social studies educators. Candidates
                                       successfully completing this course will be able to demonstrate developing knowledge,
                                       skills, and dispositions of the following:
                                    
                                    Goal 1: Demonstrate how the knowledge, skills, and processes of history and social
                                       science disciplines as defined by the Virginia History and Social Science Standards
                                       of Learning apply to design, instruction, and assessment.
                                    
                                    Teacher candidates will be able to…
                                    
                                    
                                       
                                       - Implement different types of instruction (explicit, direct instruction, teacher-centered,
                                          student-centered, constructivist, problem-based, inquiry), including the benefits
                                          and challenges associated with each as related to developing knowledge, skills, and
                                          sustained intellectual curiosity in social studies learning.
 
                                       
                                       - Implement the fundamental components of disciplinary inquiry within social studies
                                          disciplines including questioning, gathering and evaluating sources, developing claims
                                          and using evidence, communicating conclusions, and taking informed action.
 
                                       
                                    
                                    Goal 2: Develop learning plans that leverage social studies knowledge and literacies,
                                       technology, and theory and research to support the civic competence of learners.
                                    
                                    Teacher candidates will be able to…
                                    
                                    
                                       
                                       - Design and implement learning plans using the content and processes of history and
                                          social sciences instruction by incorporating theory and research in the field, Virginia
                                          History and Social Science Standards of Learning, and the NCSS C3 Framework.
 
                                       
                                       - Design and implement one cohesive and accessible unit plan containing big ideas, compelling
                                          questions, measurable goals and objectives, inquiry and project-based lesson plans,
                                          authentic assessments, and accommodations and modifications for diverse learning needs.
 
                                       
                                       - Incorporate appropriate media and contemporary technologies, online instructional
                                          strategies, and digital literacy skills into social science instructional plans.
 
                                       
                                       - Incorporate literacy in the History and Social Science content area through an understanding
                                          of vocabulary development, comprehension skills, research skills, and the integration
                                          of writing and communication as instructional and assessment tools.
 
                                       
                                    
                                    Goal 3: Design and implement effective instructional and assessment practices.
                                    
                                    Teacher candidates will be able to…
                                    
                                    
                                       
                                       - Use the backward design process of instructional planning to organize key social science
                                          content, skills, and practices into meaningful units of instruction based on historical
                                          thinking skills that actively engage students using a variety of instructional techniques
                                          including the presentation of ideas in writing.
 
                                       
                                       - Implement instruction reflecting learner achievement of the goals of the Virginia
                                          History and Social Science Standards of Learning, including measurable objectives,
                                          appropriate teaching activities and assessments.  
 
                                       
                                       - Conduct formative, summative, formal, and informal assessments and examine and use
                                          student data to evaluate instruction and student achievement.
 
                                       
                                       - Describe the relationship among assessment, instruction, and monitoring student progress
                                          to include student performance measures in grading practices.
 
                                       
                                       - Interpret and analyze valid, standards-based assessments to make decisions about how
                                          to improve instruction and student performance.
 
                                       
                                    
                                    Goal 4: Use knowledge of diverse learners to plan and implement relevant and responsive
                                       pedagogy, create collaborative and interdisciplinary learning environment, and prepare
                                       diverse learners to be informed advocates for an inclusive and equitable society.
                                    
                                    Teacher candidates will be able to…
                                    
                                    
                                       
                                       - Evaluate and incorporate instructional materials, online technologies and learning
                                          opportunities, manipulatives, and activities for the purpose of engaging all learners
                                          across ability and achievement levels and enhancing student performance.
 
                                       
                                       - Design instruction and modify learning experiences to meet the individual needs of
                                          diverse learners, including students with disabilities, gifted students, students
                                          with limited proficiency in English, and children with diverse cultural needs.
 
                                       
                                       - Implement instructional practices that are sensitive to culturally and linguistically
                                          diverse learners including students with limited proficiency in English, gifted and
                                          talented students, and students with disabilities.
 
                                       
                                       - Use a variety of methods including Universal Design for Learning, differentiated instruction,
                                          flexible grouping, and other techniques tailored to promote student academic progress.
 
                                       
                                       - Develop an inclusive classroom climate using collaboration and communication skills
                                          that positively impact student motivation, academic performance, and social and emotional
                                          learning.
 
                                       
                                    
                                    Goal 5: Reflect and expand upon social studies knowledge, inquiry skills, and civic
                                       dispositions to advance social justice and promote human rights through informed action
                                       in schools and/or communities.
                                    
                                    Teacher candidates will be able to…
                                    
                                    
                                       
                                       - Describe how adolescent development, school culture, and community intersect with
                                          the social science instructional methods occurring in field placement sites.
 
                                       
                                       - Engage in communication between schools and families as a way to increase family engagement
                                          in student learning at home and in school.
 
                                       
                                       - Examine instructional practices and use student data to reflect upon and improve instruction,
                                          increase access to learning, and support student engagement in the school and community.
 
                                       
                                       - Describe how to use theory and research to continually improve social studies knowledge,
                                          inquiry skills, and civic dispositions to adapt practice and meet the needs of each
                                          learner.
 
                                       
                                    
                                    VIII. Assessment Measures:
                                    
                                    Assessment of teaching in student teaching is both formative and summative and is
                                       collaboratively completed by the by the classroom teacher and University faculty.
                                       Evaluation is based upon the INTASC Standards for Beginning Teachers which are embedded
                                       in the Teacher Candidate Evaluation forms. 
                                    
                                    
                                       
                                       - Key CAEP Performance Assessment: Lesson Plan Assessment
 
                                       
                                       - Key CAEP Performance Assessment: Impact on Student Learning
 
                                       
                                       - Key CAEP Performance Assessment: Professional Characteristics and Dispositions form
 
                                       
                                       - Key CAEP Performance Assessment: Teacher Candidate Evaluation form
 
                                       
                                       - 150 successful teaching hours 
 
                                       
                                       - Participation in seminar (discussions and small-group activities; reflective writings
                                          as appropriate)
 
                                       
                                       - Completion of a student teaching portfolio that includes information about the community,
                                          school, students, instructional practices, assessments, analysis, and reflection on
                                          the student teaching experience.
 
                                       
                                    
                                     
                                    
                                    Other Course Information
                                    
                                    None
                                    
                                     
                                    
                                    Review and Approval
                                    
                                    Ann Roberts and Darren Minarik, November 2019