In this course, interns will develop and synthesize practical and theoretical knowledge, skills, and practices required to support the effective adaptation of integrated mathematics and science teaching and assessment methods in early years settings. The course will offer interns opportunities to develop professional skills and dispositions as reflective practitioners by critically evaluating selected pedagogical practices, then, planning and implementing learning experiences. These opportunities will help early years children in class develop mastery of integrated mathematical and science concepts (e.g., early number sense, quantitative reasoning, living things). The course will support interns develop practical and theoretical knowledge and skills for realizing play-based problem-solving pedagogy in early years settings. Interns will be supported in building research (a) into their developing teaching practice and routines, (b) as part of their skills as inquiring reflective practitioners, and (c) to help them connect theory and practice. Interns will be engaged in hands-on learning tasks aimed at developing their skills and confidence in teaching mathematics and science. Learning technologies will be examined and how these can be used to support and extend learning using strategies that support the application of mathematics and science. The course is designed to support interns develop practical, theoretical, and methodological skills and understandings related to their development of student-centered and inquiry-based pedagogies to assist them to teach mathematics and science effectively with reference to the UAE context.
Week 1
Theories of Personal Beliefs in Teaching Mathematics and Science
Introduction to the course
Practices in teaching mathematics and science
Being an effective mathematics and science teacher
Required Readings
Recommended Readings
Haefner, L. A., & Zembal-Saul, C. (2004). Learning by doing? Prospective elementary teachers’ developing understandings of scientific inquiry and science teaching and learning. International Journal of Science Education, 26(13), 1653–1674. https://doi.org/10.1080/0950069042000230709
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (n.d.). Executive summary principles and standards for school mathematics. https://www.nctm.org/uploadedFiles/Standards_and_Positions/PSSM_ExecutiveSummary.pdf
Week 2
Integrated Mathematics and Science Education
Different approaches to integrated education
STEM Education
Required Readings
Recommended Readings
Week 3
Play-Based Pedagogies for Teaching Mathematics and Science in Early Years Settings: Part I
Teaching numbers with innovative pedagogies including game-based learning
The meaning of whole numbers and early number sense
Required Readings
Recommended Readings
Week 4
Play-Based Pedagogies for Teaching Mathematics and Science in Early Years Settings: Part II
The characteristics of creative pedagogies in early years: Playfulness as a central element of creative pedagogies
Integrated design framework of playful learning
Required Readings
Recommended Readings
Week 5
Mathematical and Scientific Literacy: Part I
Problem-solving in early years classrooms
Types of addition and subtraction problems in early years
Required Readings
Recommended Reading
Week 6
Mathematical and Scientific Literacy: Part II
Enabling pre-service early childhood teachers with scientific literacy teaching practices.
Enabling children to make sense of learned scientific concepts: solar system, pollution, temperature, and living things.
Required Readings
Recommended Reading
Week 7
Quantitative Reasoning and Measurement
Scaffolding children’s quantitative reasoning
Teaching linear measurement to early years students
Required Reading
Recommended Reading
Week 8
Integrating Scientific Literacy in An Argumentative Environment
Integrating scientific literacy practices and science learning in an argumentative environment: Floating and sinking
Required Readings
Chen, Y. (2019). Using the science talk–writing heuristic to build a new era of scientific literacy. The Reading Teacher, 73(1), 51-64. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.1808
Leuchter, M., Saalbach, H., & Hardy, I. (2014). Designing science learning in the first years of schooling. an intervention study with sequenced learning material on the topic of ‘floating and sinking'. International Journal of Science Education, 36(10), 1751-1771. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2013.878482
Recommended Readings
Week 9
Spatial Reasoning and Geometry
Development of spatial reasoning in early years
Assessment as/for/of learning geometry
Required Reading
Recommended Reading
Week 10
Assessment vs. Students’ Wellbeing in Early Years Mathematics and Science Settings
Assessment as/for/of learning in early years mathematics and science classrooms and pupil’s wellbeing
Assessment implication on the cognitive load in COVID19 situation
Required Readings
Recommended Readings
Week 11
Classroom Management in Early Years Mathematics and Science settings
Classroom management in online and face-to-face mathematics and science classrooms
Required Readings
Recommended Readings