Postgraduate Module Descriptor

EDUM033: Primary Curriculum Studies

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Module Aims

The principal aims of the module are to:

  • enable you to gain a comprehensive understanding of theory and practice in the key areas of English, Communication and Languages, Mathematical understanding and Scientific understanding;
  • enable you to gain an introduction to the teaching of the Arts, Physical Education (PE), Humanities, Music and Modern Languages (ML) in primary school and Foundation Stage settings;
  • help you meet the Standards required for the award of Qualified Teacher Status and thus be in a very good position to gain employment as a primary school teacher; and

nurture your development as a reflective and autonomous professional practitioner who is able to identify strengths and areas for development in your subject knowledge and pedagogy, through evaluating current professional practice in relationship to developments in research and curriculum theory.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. identify and evaluate educational concepts and issues related to the areas of English, Mathematics, Science, the Arts, PE, Humanities, Music, ML and engage in critical debate about current educational issues, drawing on evidence from theory, research and practice;
2. recognise pupils’ learning needs in the areas of English, Mathematics, Science, the Arts, PE, Humanities, Music, ML and interpret these learning needs in order to plan, teach, assess and evaluate lessons and schemes of work;
3. demonstrate confident academic and pedagogic subject knowledge to teach in the primary phase of education;
4. demonstrate secure understanding of the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum for English, Mathematics, Science, the Arts, PE, Humanities, Music and ML;
Discipline-Specific Skills5. critically evaluate the relevance of educational theory to practice;
6. synthesise relevant educational literature to support understanding of children’s development in the primary curriculum;
7. appreciate the potential for cross curricular, integrated and themed approaches;
Personal and Key Skills8. manage your own learning;
9. be aware of your own effective learning strategies;
10. express ideas and opinions, with confidence and clarity, to a variety of audiences for a variety of purposes; and
11. work productively in different kinds of teams (formal, informal, project based, committee based, etc.).

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Basic reading:

English texts

Bearne, E. and Wolstencroft, H. (2007), Visual Approaches to Teaching Writing: Multimodal Literacy 5-11. London: Sage.

Fisher, R., Jones, S., Larkin, S., Myhill, D. (2010) Using Talk to Support Writing. London: Sage.

Johnston, R. and Watson, J. (2007), Teaching Synthetic Phonics. Exeter: Learning Matters.

Medwell, J., Moore, G., Wray, D. and Griffiths, V. (2012), Primary English Knowledge and Understanding(Achieving QTS Series)6th Edition.  Exeter: Learning Matters.

Medwell, J., Wray, D., Minns, H. , Griffiths, V., Coates, E., (2012) Primary English: Teaching Theory and Practice (Achieving QTS Series) 6th Edition. Exeter: Learning Matters.

Riley, J. (2006), Language & Literacy 3-7: Creative Approaches to Teaching. London: Sage

 

Science texts


Hollins, M. & Whitby, V. (2001) Progression in Primary Science (Second Edition). London: David Fulton Publishers

Harlen, W. & Qualter, A. (2004) The Teaching of Science in Primary Schools (Fifthourth Edition). London: David Fulton Publishers.

Dunne, M. & Peacock, A. (Eds.2012) Primary Science: A Guide to Teaching Practice. London: Sage Publications Ltd.

Sharp, J. et al. (ed. 2004) Developing Primary Science. Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd.
Sharp, J. & Bryne (2007)Primary Science Audit and Test , Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd

 

Mathematics texts

Haylock, D. (2010) Mathematics Explained for Primary Teachers, 4th Edition. London: Sage Publications

Thompson, I. (ed) (2010) Issues in teaching numeracy in primary schools. Maidenhead: Open University Press

Haylock, D. & Cockburn, A.D. (2009)Understanding Mathematics for Young Children

A Guide for Foundation Stage and Lower Primary Teachers, Third Edition. London: Sage

Tucker, K. (2010) Mathematics Through Play in the Early Years, Second Edition. London: Sage

Hansen, A. (ed) (2011) Children’s Errors in Mathematics (2nd edition) Understanding Common Misconceptions in Primary School. Exeter: Learning Matters.

 

Humanities texts

Ashley, M. (ed) (1999) Improving Teaching and Learning in the Humanities. London: Fulton
Brown, A. and Seaman, A (2001) Feeding Minds and Touching Hearts: Spiritual Development in the Primary School. The National Society
Catling, S. & Willy, T. (2009) Teaching Primary geography. Exeter: Learning Matters
Cooper, H. (2007) History 3-11: a guide for teachers. London: David Fulton  

Art texts:

Blake, Q. & Cassidy, J. (1999) Drawing for the Artistically Undiscovered.  Palo Alto: CA: Klutz.

Cox, S. & Watts, R. (eds.) (2007) Teaching Art and Design 3-11.  London: Continuum.

Key, P. & Stillman, J. (2009) Teaching Primary Art and Design.  Exeter: Learning Matters.

Watt, F. (2009) The Usborne Complete Book of Art Ideas.  London: Usborne.

 

Music texts
Hennessy S. (1995) Music 7-11: Developing Primary Teaching Skills. London: Routledge
Young. S. & Glover. J. (1998) Music in the Early Years. London: Falmer Press

MFL texts
Martin, C. (2008) Primary Languages: Effective Learning and Teaching. Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd.
Jones, J. and Coffey, S. (2006) Modern Foreign Languages 5-11: a guide for teachers. Exeter: David Fulton
Sharpe, K. (2001) Modern Foreign Languages in the primary school. London: Kogan Page

 

PE texts
Pickup. I. & Price, L.  (2007) Teaching Physical Education in the PrimarySchool: a Developmental Approach. London: Continuum
Gerald Griggs ( 2012) An Introduction to Primary Physical Education. London: Routledge

 

Web based and electronic resources: see PGCE Primary Core Curriculum Studies page on ELE (http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/)