Universität Rostock - Studies - Courses of Study - Courses of study, arranged according to fields of study - Teaching / Pedagogics - Subjects at primary schools

Concepts and methods of primary school teaching are presented in the interdisciplinary courses Primary education. In addition, general topics relevant for primary schools such as “childhood”, “basic education”, “assessment and evaluation” and “designing elementary education” are offered.

The primary school subject German includes oral and written language actions, working with texts and media, acquisition of written language, but also investigations on language phenomena and reflection on language use. Theory and practice of changing didactics and methodology in initial lessons as well as knowledge on the teaching and learning process in interdisciplinary German lessons on primary schools are in the focus here. Paths and opportunities to develop reading motivation and aesthetic enjoyment skills via demanding children’s literature are investigated.

Opening a „mathematical perspective on the world“ to children is a demanding task. It does not need somebody with a focus on sound knowledge on integral and differential calculation but somebody who understood what the essential aspects of mathematics are. Only on this basis, the question what and how children shall learn in mathematic lessons can be approached.

The primary education subject Social studies and science is divided into basic and main study course. During the basic study course, students are introduced into theories and concepts related to social studies and sciences and deal with the history of this field of learning. The didactic and educational knowledge are always reflected in consideration of the developing individualisms of children in primary school age.

Physical education at primary school age means to meet the children’s need for exercising. Gathering experience in physical exercise and movement as well as motoric skills are in the focus here. Aim is to support the physical, mental and social development of children by enabling play-, sport- and health-oriented movement actions. Individual requirement for studying the teaching field sport is mainly that one has the capacity for enthusiasm regarding all form of physical exercising. Students should enjoy physical exercising themselves.

Music lessons take are taught as specialized classes at many primary schools. They encourage the development of basic music skills which develop and consolidate mainly in primary school age. Consequently, music lessons have to cover a wide field, ranging from developing the children’s voices (language and singing), differentiated listening to integrating the body and testing various instruments. Music lessons can only be successful if they combine these single fields in a meaningful way and, thus, approach music in diverse ways to make the child open-minded to it.  A pure series of music activities will not reach the intended purpose.

The education related to this primary school subject takes place at the University of Music and Theatre where the students will be enrolled in addition. Important: There is an aptitude test related to music theory (written and oral), aural training, vocal and instrumental skills as well as to the candidates creativity when working with children. We recommend to contact the University of Music and Theatre directly (and in due time!) regarding this aptitude test.

Small people, major questions? When philosophizing, pupils learn to sort out their thoughts and to discuss them together. They develop own questions and set human beings into relation to nature and technology. Thy exemplary deal with the basic principles of human social and state communities: human rights, freedom, equality, justice, happiness and the art of living.

"I can’t paint" - if children say things like this about themselves something went wrong regarding their aesthetic education. This field of learning deals with creating a relationship with the field aesthetics, awaking and fostering the own creative energies and learning how to encourage children to draw, paint and design.

We are living in a world dominated by technology. What is it that we essentially have to know, understand, not only to cope with this world but to understand its main principles? Which are the elementary insights into the world of technology children should be taught? The focus of this field of learning is on the technological aspects in Rostock. Still, the understanding “our world is an organized one” plays a certain role, too. Is it possible to awake the interest even of small children in such questions of organization? In any case, practical acting, “thinking with the hands” is in the focus of the learning field handicraft.

„Man does not live by bread alone…“ Our society’s identity crisis is palpable. As long as human beings have existed, religion has offered meanings of life. How consistent are they? Can we even talk to children about “god” without triggering misleading expectations? What role should and can philosophizing with children play in education? The Faculty of Theology is in charge to the courses offered in this field.

In view of our world’s internationalization and considering European perspectives, one cannot start learning foreign languages early enough. But how is that to be arranged – with small children, not even really capable of reading and writing in German language? These courses are offered by the Institute of English and American Studies.

In view of our world’s internationalization and considering European perspectives, one cannot start learning foreign languages early enough.

But how is that to be arranged – with small children, not even really capable of reading and writing in German language?

These courses are offered by the Institute of Roman studies.