What are the various opportunities for off campus study within the education program?

Liverpool May Term
For Educ. 282/283-Literacy 2-Reading & Language Arts, Grades 3-6

A THREE week May Term experience in the elementary schools of Liverpool, England May 7 through May 25, 2000 plus travel.
Students participating in this May Term will spend three weeks in a variety of elementary classrooms in Liverpool, England, during literacy instruction time. While the focus of the course is to examine the teaching and learning of reading and the language arts with children aged 8-12 (see the Hope College catalog), participants will also consider the interesting and complex issues which arise when these are examined in another English speaking culture. Topics covered include reading strategies, writing, assessment and evaluation, as well as literature for children and adolescents.

Participants in this May Term will keep a comprehensive journal about their school experiences, conduct a class session in England, and will submit an extensive lesson plan project after returning home to the States. Each of two weekends are spent in travel in the United Kingdom. One trip always includes London. The second weekend has been spent in Dublin, Ireland and Edinburgh, Scotland.

REQUIREMENTS: all participants MUST successfully complete Educ. 280/281 before departing for the Liverpool May Term

For additional information regarding this May Term , its costs and requirements:
1. Attend an information meeting
2. Talk to previous participants of the May Term.
3. See Professors Richard Mezeske and/or Tony Donk in the Education Department. Informational brochures are posted outside each of their offices

Rosebud Indian Reservation May Term
· Native American Studies (Ed. 488)

Practical teaching experiences are essential for anyone planning a career in education. Learning the difference between the ghost dance and the sun dance of the Lakota Sioux is good for an increased cultural awareness and for the spirit. When the two are mixed, they define the Hope College May Term on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, located in south-central South Dakota.

Begun in 1991, this experience allows students to live and learn in a culture different from their own and to participate full time in a classroom of their choice. Information learned in college classes is applied to real life settings as students plan culturally appropriate lessons, cooperative learning activities, and address a variety of learning styles.

A week's orientation precedes classroom teaching. During this time students are immersed in learning about the Lakota Sioux culture while meeting with tribal, school and business representatives, hospital administrators, spiritual leaders, participating in a waicipi (powwow), and living in the dormitory with Indian students.

One of the participants said, "Participating in events like Rosebud's Waicipi and listening to elders speak about their heritage gave me a greater understanding and appreciation for the Native American culture. And the natural beauty of South Dakota was spectacular!"
Another student claimed, "It was a chance to spend quality time in the classroom and turn my Hope experiences into real life teaching experiences. I never dreamed three weeks could have such a powerful impact on my life."

A third participant stated, "The Rosebud experience was by far the most enjoyable learning experience I have encountered. Whether scaling the Badlands, talking to the Elders, or teaching in a classroom, we were always learning and having a good time doing it. This trip was not only a challenge, it was a great eye opener. Never before did I realize the "awesome" culture of the Lakota Sioux!"

Both Susan Cherup and David Zwart, leaders of the cross cultural class, find each experience enlightening and challenging, but return to Hope eager to begin planning the next year's May Term on Rosebud Reservation.

Rural Education May Term

One of our exciting May term courses, Rural Education (488), is a three credit hour, three week immersion program in teaching. Ten students are taken to a very small school (fewer than 200 students K-12) in Northern Michigan and are placed in the grade level classroom or subject area of their choice. Most students are given the latitude to assume responsibility for everything from lesson planning and implementation to evaluation. Students learn a lot about teaching and the role of a professional in rural settings.

In addition to these opportunities, secondary teacher candidates often choose to study in an area particular to their major. For example, Political Science offers a semester in Washington D.C. and Spanish majors are required to spend a semester in Spain or Mexico. More information about these off campus opportunities can be obtained from the student's major department.