Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Creative Arts Integration in Elementary Education (Face-to-Face)

ELED 4000-01

Course: ELED 4000-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: TED
CRN: 30544

Course Description

A creative exploration for prospective elementary teachers who have completed two of the following (ART 3900/MUSC 3900/THEA 3900) to develop an arts enriched curriculum through integration. Designing practical lessons tied to other subjects is paramount to this course.

Prerequisite(s): (ART 3900 and MUSC 3900) or (ART 3900 and THEA 3900) or (MUSC 3900 and THEA 3900) each with a grade of C (2.0) or higher 

Required Texts

No required text. Course reading materials will be provided online. 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Experience and design elementary arts lessons which are integrated with Utah State Core Curriculum in math, science, literacy and social studies on various grade levels.
  2. Explain rationales for the relevance and importance of arts integration in the elementary classroom.
  3. Present content in challenging, clear, and compelling ways to engage elementary students.
  4. Practice using the  Utah Core Standards to write and plan clear and high quality objectives, assessments, and learning activities.
  5. Engage in reflective practice to continually evaluate individual and group teaching practices to meet the needs of each learner.

Course Requirements

  • 8 Reading Reflections || 21% of Final Grade: Throughout the course you will respond to reading material and videos mostly through an online tool called Hypothesis. This will let you interact with your peers about the material that you are learning about in class. One of the "reading" assignments is actually a video that you will watch and discuss.
  • 3 Choice Assignments || 9% of Final Grade: There are 3 choice assignments which let you dive deeper into topics we have discussed in class. For each assignment you will have four options to choose from.
  • Critical Thinking Activity || 10% of Final Grade: You will work with a small group to plan and teach (in class) a quick activity which encourages critical thinking through looking at and talking about works of art. You will receive grades for both the activity plan and for the presentation.
  • Lesson Project || 36% of Final Grade: You will create one integrated arts lesson. You will submit a rough draft and a final draft of your lesson. You will also write peer reviews for other class members' lessons. When the lessons are complete, you will work with a partner to teach your lesson and to help your partner teach their lesson in a local elementary class. At the end of the course you will submit a formal reflection about this teaching experience. This is the largest project of the course. 
  • Course Final || 10% of Final Grade: Your final in this course will be an assignment that includes some lesson planning and some essay questions.
  • Attendance || 14% of Final Grade: You are registered for a Face-to-Face course and attendance is required. Classes are held at 11 am on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays in room ED 105. Please strive to attend every class and be on time and to participate in ways that are appropriate for each day’s goal: by actively listening, taking notes, asking questions, offering comments, and actively participating in in-class arts activities. Points are assigned for each day in class, totaling 14% of your total grade. Up to 3 "free" absences per student are allowed, no questions asked. Attendance points will be adjusted at the end of the semester.

Grading Policy

SCORING: A few assignments will be assessed as complete/incomplete but most assignments will be assessed on the following 5 point scale:
5 Point Scoring Rubric
  • 5 POINTS: A MODEL Product | All of the requirements are evident and exceeded.The product is very neatly done and extremely well organizedThe product is complete, detailed, and analyticalCompleted on time
  • 4 POINTS: What Is EXPECTED | All of the requirements are evident and met.The product is very neatly done and well organizedThe product is complete and detailed
  • 3 POINTS: ALMOST What Is EXPECTED | Almost all requirements are evident (maybe 1 or 2 are missing)The product is neatly done and organizedThe product is complete but may lack detail
  • 2 POINTS: SORT of What Is EXPECTED | Most requirements are evident (maybe 3 or 4 are missing)The product is done and sort of organizedThe product is incomplete but attempts at completion are clear
  • 1 POINT: NOT what is expected | Many of the requirements are NOT PRESENTThe product is very poorly done and/or poorly organizedThe product is incomplete
  • 0 POINTS: Does NOT Meet Standards | Cannot be scored or no product

ASSIGNMENT WEIGHTS:  Although most assignments are graded on a 5 point scale, each assignment is weighted differently. Refer to the Course Requirements to see how each assignment type is weighted. 

Course Outline

  • Module 1: Introduction to Arts Integration What is the definition of arts integration? How did this definition come about? What experience do you have with arts integration from your own childhood?
  • Module 2: Hands-On Learning with Arts Integration Participate in hands-on arts activities in theatre, music, dance, and visual art and explore how these engaging activities can promote deep thinking and understanding.
  • Module 3: Critical Thinking with Arts Integration Discuss how to design an arts-based critical thinking activity which can support a creative activity or traditional lesson plan.
  • Module 4: Lesson Planning for Arts Integration Learn how to plan with two subjects in mind, including student creativity and the construction and demonstration of knowledge in both areas. Practice using the Utah State Core Standards to write effective objectives and assessments.
  • Module 5: Lesson Planning Continued Continue practicing planning arts integrated lessons and designing assessment strategies using the arts.
  • Module 6: Demonstrations Practice creating high demonstrations which model art making skills while also encouraging creativity and personal choice.
  • Module 7: Creativity Explore the creative process and learn how creativity is important. Learn a variety of teaching strategies to help children engage, think deeply, and increase their creativity.
  • Module 8: Memory And Group Planning Discuss 8 researched ways that arts integration helps students learn for the long term. Groups will work on their lesson plans.
  • Module 9: Arts Integration and Access Explore ways to make arts materials and activities accessible to students with physical limitations. Discuss how arts integration can be a tool for differentiated instruction, and Universal Design for Learning. Students will work on peer reviews.
  • Module 10: Studio Habits of Mind Explore how to use the Studio Habits of Mind to help students develop dispositions that will help them succeed in school.
  • Module 11: Life Skills and The Arts Explore how the arts can naturally help with the development of positive life skills.  Students will finalize their lesson plan revisions.
  • Module 12: Teaching Lesson 1 Prepare for, teach, and reflect about Lesson 1.
  • Module 13: Teaching Lesson 2 Prepare for, teach, and reflect about Lesson 2.
  • Module 14: Wrapping Up Explore state and national arts integration resources, reflect on the semester and prepare for the final.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

All assignment descriptions and due dates are listed in Canvas. If you submit work by the due date and receive a score lower than a 4, you may revise and resubmit it. All revisions must be submitted before the last week of class. If you submit work after the due date, you may not resubmit it and you might not receive written feedback.

Attendance Policy

You are registered for a Face-to-Face course and attendance is required. Classes are held at 11 am on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays in room ED 105. Please strive to attend every class and be on time and to participate in ways that are appropriate for each day’s goal: by actively listening, taking notes, asking questions, offering comments, and actively participating in in-class arts activities. Points are assigned for each day in class, totaling 14% of your total grade. Up to 3 "free" absences per student are allowed, no questions asked. Attendance points will be adjusted at the end of the semester.

Instructor Feedback

Feedback is an important part of learning.  Please look for feedback on your assignments in the speed grader.  It is my goal to:
  • Respond to student messages within 1 business day
  • Provide feedback within 5 - 7 days from the due date

Course Fees

Program and Course Fees

Additional Course Information

PAES Standards

The following Utah Teacher Candidate Performance Assessment and Evaluation System (PAES) Standards  are assessed in this class.

4.1 Bases instruction on accurate content knowledge using multiple representations of concepts

6.2 Integrates cross-disciplinary skills into instruction to purposefully engage learners in applying content knowledge

7.2 Provides multiple opportunities for students to develop higher-order and meta-cognitive skills

8.1 Adapts and improves practice based on reflection and new learning

Artificial Intelligence

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE If you wish to use ChatGPT (or other similar tools that generate text) for any part of a graded assignment (from idea generation to text creation to text editing), you must first ask for permission and explain how you plan to use the tool. In addition, you must properly cite ChatGPT. Failure to cite ChatGPT is considered a violation of the plagiarism standard of the SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2). Violations could result in failure of the assignment or failure of the course.

Course Navigation

All assignments, readings, and other information is presented through the modules in Canvas. All students should regularly review the online modules and not rely on in-class announcements for important course information.

Canvas Information

Canvas is  where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.

SUU Campus Resources and Services

SUU has several resources and services available to support you during your time here at SUU, please review this list of SUU Campus Resources and Services and the Student Handbook. For more information on Canvas and other technologies, and their statements on Accessibility and Privacy statements please review our Vendor Resources page.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.