Wayne State University

Aim Higher

Elementary Education

teacher and class

Welcome to Elementary Education

The teaching of the Elementary Education Department is a reflection of the mission statement of the College of Education: to develop teachers who are effective, urban educators who are reflective, innovative and committed to diversity. We believe that this mission is based on important principles of learning that we try to demonstrate in our teaching with our students at WSU, and which they can then transform and enact in their own teaching. Some of these beliefs include the following:

  1. We believe that learning is sense making. For this reason we ask questions in our classes at WSU that encourage our students to share their problem solving strategies and offer reasoning for the hypotheses that they propose about different learning scenarios.
     
  2. We believe that learning is social. For this reason we encourage our WSU students to collaborate with their peers in various ways, such as assisting each other on technology projects, sharing their views on classroom readings, and working on some investigations together.
     
  3. We believe that learning is multimodal. For this reason we offer our WSU students opportunities to express their understanding of concepts and ideas through a variety of modalities, such as writing, dramatizing, speaking, drawing, constructing models, and incorporating music in their presentations.
     
  4. We believe that learning is making connections. For this reason we invite our WSU students to make personal connections to their work at the College by tying it to their background knowledge, interests and cultural values.
     
  5. We believe that learning is both a process and a product. For this reason we endeavor to cultivate important dispositions about learning in our WSU students, such as taking risks, persisting, inquiring, and valuing the contributions of others.
     
  6. We believe that learning is interdisciplinary. For this reason we develop learning experiences for our WSU students that allows them to use reading, writing, mathematics and the arts across subject fields.
     
  7. We believe that learning is central to a democratic society. For this reason we raise issues about equity and social justice, such as inviting our students to critique historical narratives, and analyzing who is privileged, marginalized and/or silenced in these accounts.

All of these beliefs demonstrate an asset model of learning. We believe that all students at WSU have important knowledge, dispositions and perspectives that are rich resources for their peers as well as the WSU faculty. In this sense we view our students as fellow learners who offer us as much as we offer them. It is a journey we travel together.

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Events

Calendar of Events

Full List
Rouge Forum 2013
May 18 2013
College of Education
Here is a link to the conference schedule, including descriptions of keynote and featured speakers along with the names, titles and descriptions of  breakout sessions:  http://rougeforumconference.wordpress.com.The Rouge Forum is an education activist group which has its roots in Detroit and Wayne State University.   It  brings together academic presentations and panel discussions, performances, community building, and cultural events.  This conference will center on such questions as:   Overall, what do we need to know and what do we need to do to overcome corporate education reform in our classrooms? In what ways are our classrooms, schools, universities, unions, etc. occupied by capitalism, racism, and inequality? And what do these occupations demand from us pedagogically?  What are the obstacles that must be overcome to achieve democratic education? What can we learn from Wisconsin 2011, the Occupy Movement, and the Chicago Teacher’s Strike to make us smarter and stronger in our struggle against corporate education reform? How do we educate to liberate ourselves from the impact of capitalism on our schools? How do we push back against the corporate influence in our classrooms and communities?  How do we occupy our classrooms, schools, universities, unions and communities in an effort to create education that is in the public interest and the best interest of our students?  For more information, email Greg Queen at rumbagarden@ameritech.net   Feel free to share this email with colleagues and other interested parties. 
3rd Annual Wayne State University College of Education Conference
February 5 2014 at 4:30 PM
McGregor Center
3rd Annual Wayne State University College of Education Conference on "Understanding the Impact of Poverty on Education: Research Symposium and Educational Dialogue" Wednesday, February 5, 2014 - Friday, February 7, 2014 Wednesday, February 5, 2014 4:30 pm. Reception/Keynote Speaker Thursday, February 6, 2014 8:00 a.m. McGregor Memorial Conference Center Friday, February 7, 2014 8:00 a.m. McGregor Memorial Conference Center This annual conference provides attendees with the opportunity to explore and discuss cutting-edge scholarly research and practices related to "the urbanization of poverty" and its impact on the education of children.  It brings together scholars, practioners, and community members with a commitment to improving the education of children living in poverty. For more information please visit: coe.wayne.edu Sponsorship opportunities Full Conference Fee includes Wednesday evening reception, breakfast and lunch on Thursday and breakfast on Friday. Single Day Rate includes Days events. Questions can be directed to Office of the Dean at (313) 577-1620 or via email at education conferences@wayne.edu Lodging available at The Inn On Ferry Street
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For Appointments: 313-577-0902