Best Practices for a Successful Primary Classroom

(Grades K-3) / Flex Course

PDI Course Number: 15T02 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC41570


Course Description

Do you need help keeping your young students engaged and focused? This online course for teachers is designed for primary educators who are in need of learning best practices for creating and managing a successful primary classroom. This online course for teachers covers strategies for implementing grade level standards, while managing time so that all content is covered. Behavioral issues, including problems with bullying, as well as overall classroom management techniques are presented in order to help teachers manage their classrooms more successfully so they have time for what is most important—meeting the needs of their students. Teachers will learn how to maximize the resources they have available to them as well as find innovative ways to gain more resources at little-to-no cost. This course also provides successful strategies for gaining students’ attention and interest, and truly engaging them in lessons so that they are motivated to learn. Special attention is given to differentiation of instruction so that the needs of all students, including English language learners and students with special needs, can effectively be met. Strategies are also provided for effectively communicating with parents and families, including parents who can be difficult. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will feel more confident in successfully managing a primary grade classroom. This online professional development course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from University of California San Diego (UCSD) Division of Extended Studies. For detailed information on receiving university credit for your PDI professional development course, visit our credit page.

Need help? Kimya Nabavi, PDI Program Coordinator, is ready to assist.

"I am so happy that I was able to participate in this course! The content was meaningful and relevant to primary teachers and beyond. Right away I began applying the strategies and accessing the resources to assist me in my current classroom" - Nicolle Storm


Enrollment Options

Course Only

$127 with the discount

Course with Credit from UCSD

$323 with the discount

This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units or 5 quarter units of graduate-level credit from UCSD.

You have up to one year from the date you are enrolled to complete a flex course.


View the online course syllabus.

Print our customized course approval form to share with your school district.


TOPICAL OUTLINE

UCSD Course Number: EDUC41570

Unit One

  • The Most Common Challenges in a Primary Classroom
  • The Perfect Primary Classroom
  • Recognizing the Needs of Students
  • Assignment #1: Write an autobiography
  • Test #1

Unit Two

  • The Teacher’s Role in a Successful Primary Classroom
  • The Best Methods for Managing Student Behavior
  • Anti-Bullying Strategies for the Primary Classroom
  • Assignment #2: Article reflection
  • Test #2

Unit Three

  • Effective Time Management and Organizational Strategies
  • Engaging and Motivating Every Student in Your Classroom
  • Differentiating Instruction to Meet the Needs of All Students
  • Assignment #3: Share your expertise
  • Test #3

Unit Four

  • Successfully Mainstreaming English Language Learners and Students with Special Needs into Your Classroom
  • Transitioning to the Rigorous Common Core State Standards with Confidence
  • Understanding and Preparing Students for the Common Core Assessments
  • Test #4

Unit Five

  • Making the Most of Classroom or School Technology
  • Addressing a Lack of Classroom Resources
  • Dealing with Difficult People and Parents
  • Test #5

Unit Six

  • Best Practices for Dealing and Communicating with Parents
  • The Habits of Highly Successful Teachers
  • Resources for the Successful Primary Classroom
  • Assignment #4: Develop a plan for using new strategies
  • Assignment #5: Course Reflection

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