Experiential Learning

If you are interested in becoming an elementary teacher, you will need to declare a double major of Pedgagogical Content Knowledge for Elementary Teaching (PCKET) and Educational Studies. All PCKET majors take mathematics education courses that engage you in hands-on learning that connects math content, pedagogy, and practice.  This means, you don’t just study math and how to teach math—you learn through hands-on learning experiences, reflection, and interactions with children as we prepare you to teach math in elementary school.

Teaching Math in Local Elementary Classrooms

A defining feature of our program is early and sustained field experiences embedded within your math courses—you won’t wait until your apprenticeship semester to enter elementary classrooms. In courses such as MTH 226, MTH 326, and MTH 328, you will spend class time in local schools working directly with children, applying mathematical ideas and reflecting on teaching in authentic classroom settings. This integrated approach ensures you graduate with extensive classroom experience and a strong connection between theory and practice.

What is CBL?

CBL stands for Community-Based Learning. All PCKET majors can take CBL designated sections of MTH 226, MTH 326, and MTH 328, where your class is embedded in a partner elementary school.

Why take a CBL math course?

• Work directly with children at an elementary school throughout the whole semester
• Learn to teach by teaching as you apply what you’re learning in class 
• Make math engaging and powerful for children
• Develop ongoing professional relationships with teachers

How is the CBL version different from a regular section of MTH 226/326/328?

In a regular section of MTH 226/326/328, most of your time will be spent in the GV classroom, with approximately 3 weeks of the course, or 6 class periods working directly with children in a school setting. Your professor supervises the field experience at a local school which is scheduled during class. In a CBL section the class is embedded at the elementary school. You can expect to meet as a class at the school for the entire scheduled class period, typically once a week (or more). You ’ll learn to teach math with specific learners in mind and you ’ll gain experience observing, planning, teaching, and reflecting on math instruction with children.

What does a math concentration involve?

If you are pursuing a PK-6 or grades 3-6 PCKET major, you will choose a concentration. The math concentration prepares you to teach maths with depth, confidence, and responsiveness—at all elementary grades. We have designed the three additional math courses you will take (MTH 322, MTH 323, MTH 324) to intentionally integrate mathematics content, pedagogy, and practice. This means, you don’t just study math and how to teach math—you learn mathematics through experience, reflection, and interactions with children. The math concentration strengthens and builds on the knowledge you gained from your earlier math PCKET courses (MTH 126, MTH 226, MTH 326, MTH 328). Our approach to learning ensures you graduate with extensive classroom experience, across grade levels, and a strong bridge between theory and practice.

Why Choose a Math Concentration?

Teachers with strong mathematics preparation are leaders in their schools. A math concentration prepares you to:

• Teach mathematics with confidence and depth across across elementary grades
• Support colleagues and contribute to curriculum decisions
• Advocate for high-quality mathematics instruction
• Take on district and school leadership roles related to math teaching and learning

Who Can Add a Grades 5-9 Math Teaching Minor?

PCKET (PK-6) or (grades 3-6) majors with a math concentration

• Add the 5–9 Math Minor to teach middle school math
• Broaden your teaching credentials while building on coursework you are already completing.
• Requires as few as an additional 5 courses (20 credits) of coursework

Secondary education and secondary content majors

• Add either math teaching minor (5-9 or 7-12) to gain a math endorsement
• Requires completing as few as an additional 6 courses (23 credits)

(P)K-12 education and (P)K-12 subject area majors

• Subject area majors include: art education, music education, health and physical education or modern languages
• Add either math teaching minor (5-9 or 7-12) to expand certification options
• Requires completing as few as an additional 23 credits

More info on the Teaching Minor for Grades 5-9:

• See the catalog for specific information about Mathematics with Middle Grades Teacher Certification (Grades 5-9) Minor  Requirements.
• Course Map for Adding a Math Teaching Minor (5-9) on to PCKET Major:

There are scholarships and awards available for PCKET majors with a math concentration.  The Math Department also offers additional opportunities, including awards and scholarships to support your growth as a future mathematics educator. For more information about these scholarships, visit ScholarshipsUniverse web page https://gvsu.scholarshipuniverse.com/ for details. The deadline to apply is March 1.

• Math Scholarship. This scholarship is established to provide all students of math with a resource to invest in their education. *Must be a declared math major or a declared PCKET major with a declared math concentration by the application deadline (see  direct link for additional details)

• Dr. Nancy K. Mack & Katherine Klemit Mack Memorial Scholarship. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial assistance to at least 2 undergraduate students each academic year who are pursuing elementary teaching certification that would allow them to teach grades 3 - 6 or grades PK - 6 levels.

• Donald and Barbara VanderJagt Scholarship. At the time of application candidates must be accepted for or currently attending GVSU with a declared major in mathematics, a declared PCKET (Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Elementary Teaching) major with mathematics emphasis, or a declared computer science major with a minor in mathematics.

We are no longer admitting students in the Elementary Math Major, which existed through the 2020-21 catalog. Current students using a catalog year of 20-21 or earlier may continue their program and will be certified to teach elementary grades K-8 (all subjects) as well as middle school mathematics classes. However, students enrolled in the Elementary Math Major must complete their entire program of study and pass the MTTC K-8 certification tests by July 2026.

Michigan Changes Grade Band Certifications for Elementary Teaching:

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) recently changed the certification structures for elementary teachers in Michigan. Before Fall 2021, elementary teacher education programs in Michigan led to certification to teach grades K-8 (all subjects). At GVSU, students seeking elementary (K-8) certification had the option to complete a major in one of four content majors: Math, English, Social Studies, or Integrated Science. The content major led to subject area certification in a middle school setting.

Michigan’s new grade band structure leads instead to certification in grades PK-3 or 3-6, and teachers can also pursue both grade bands and be certified PK-6. Starting Fall 2021, the GVSU major corresponding to the new PK-3 and 3-6 grade bands is titled "Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Elementary Teaching" or PCKET. As of Fall 2021, incoming students seeking elementary certification should visit the PCKET (Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Elementary Teaching) website for more information on the new paths to elementary certification that include a concentration in mathematics.

Should I keep my math major, elementary teaching emphasis or switch to PCKET?

Current Math majors who have declared the Elementary Teacher Certification emphasis prior to Fall 2021 do not need to switch to PCKET. In fact, doing so will increase time to graduation for most students because the PCKET program includes a very different suite of courses than the existing program. Those majors do need to complete their entire program of study and pass their MTTC K-8 certification tests by July of 2026, which is the latest the Michigan Department of Education has indicated it will be offering the required MTTC K-8 certification tests.

If you have an existing Math - Elementary Education major, there are several benefits to seeing it through to graduation: you will be one of the last graduates in Michigan with a flexible K-8 certification AND a bachelor’s degree in your content area, which together will increase your marketability because of the wider grade range you can teach and because your content area expertise will set you up to be a leader in mathematics instruction at your future school. Having a math major will also give you the flexibility to explore other career options.

However, there are some steps current majors should take to ensure a smooth transition. Please see the April 2021 advising email update that was sent to current Elementary Math majors in Winter 2021 for details.