The Jewish Studies option is offered within the Bachelor of Education in Kindergarten and Elementary Education.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed (Faculty of Education) Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) - Kindergarten and Elementary Jewish Studies program requires 120 credits and leads to teacher certification. Students who have not completed Quebec CEGEP, French Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate, or at least one year of university studies prior to commencing the B.Ed. must also complete a minimum of 30 credits of Foundation courses (in addition to the 120-credit program) for a total of 150 credits. The Kindergarten and Elementary program leads to certification to teach children between the ages of 5 and 11 years (kindergarten and elementary school). The program consists of academic and professional courses, as well as studies in pedagogy and educational foundations. Each year of the program provides a school-based practicum. The Jewish Studies option is addressed to students enrolled in the Kindergarten and Elementary program who wish to teach Jewish studies as well as general studies. Students are encouraged to acquire a strong background in Bible, Jewish prayer, Jewish holidays, and Jewish history prior to registering in the option. Students lacking the ability to teach in Hebrew should consider spending a semester at an Israeli university or seek other avenues to improve their language skills. Please note that graduates of teacher education programs are recommended by the University for Quebec certification to the Ministry (Education). For more information about teacher certification in Quebec, please refer to the Faculty of Education section under "Overview of Faculty Programs", "Undergraduate Education Programs," and "Quebec Teacher Certification." Students normally complete 30 credits in their Foundation (U0) year. The Foundation year is the time to take introductory-level courses in the subjects taught in elementary school, as well as to explore areas that are not normally taken as teachable subject area courses within B.Ed. programs (e.g., Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, etc.). Students should also investigate the possibility of taking one of the First Year Seminar courses offered by the Faculty of Arts or the Faculty of Science. In addition, in consultation with the Program Adviser, students may select courses from the recommended course list below or other courses. Included in the list are several French Second Language (FRSL) courses for which placement tests are required to determine the appropriate level. Also recommended are any 100- or 200-level courses with the subject codes of ANTH (Anthropology), ENGL (English), GEOG (Geography), HIST (History), MUAR (Music-Arts Faculty), POLI (Political Science), PSYC (Psychology), RELG (Religious Studies), and SOCI (Sociology). For 200-level courses, information about any required prerequisites is found in the Minerva Class Schedule by clicking on the course CRN for registration. Check prerequisites before registering. Children's Literature. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Selection and use of literature suitable for children in the elementary school. Contemporary Issues in Education. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An introduction to contemporary issues in education in local, national and international contexts, including a critical perspective on educational issues by drawing on a variety of analytical frameworks. Literature for Young Adults. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Selection and use of literature for the differing abilities and interests of high school students. Beginners French 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A comprehensive introduction to basic vocabulary, grammatical structures and speech patterns of written and oral French for students in any degree program having no previous knowledge of French. Learning to communicate at a functional level in a French-speaking environment. Short essays, cultural readings, mandatory lab practice. Beginners French 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A comprehensive introduction to basic vocabulary, grammatical structures and speech patterns of written and oral French for students in any degree program having no previous knowledge of French. Learning to communicate at a functional level in a French-speaking environment. Short essays, cultural readings, mandatory lab practice. Elementary French 01. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This two-term course uses a task-based approach to provide students with authentic materials related to Canadian culture and prepares them for real life communication. Therefore, class time will be mostly dedicated to the completion of communicative tasks which often rely on the use of technology (mobile apps,
blogs and other online tools). This course tackles different topics that students can relate to in their personal, social and academic life, and provides a review and further training in elementary language structures to develop their communication skills and digital literacy in French. Elementary French 01. Terms offered: Winter 2026 See FRSL 207D1 for course description. Oral and Written French 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Language lab attendance required. Grammar review, comprehension, vocabulary development, selected readings and group discussions. Oral and Written French 1. Terms offered: Winter 2026 See FRSL 211D1 for course description. Mathematics for Education Students. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Sets and functions. Numeration systems. Whole numbers and integers, algorithms for whole-number computations, elementary number theory. Fractions and proportional reasoning. Real numbers, decimals and percents. A brief introduction to probability and statistics. Introduction to the Study of Religions. Terms offered: Winter 2026 This course is an introduction to classic and contemporary approaches to the academic study of religions. This includes perspectives from philosophy, theology, anthropology, sociology, psychology, phenomenology, and feminism. Students are also exposed to applications of these perspectives from visiting scholars who treat some aspect of a religious tradition in light of current-day interests and events. The primary objective is to introduce students to the principal theories and methods that have shaped our understanding of religion, its various meanings as well as its roles and functions in society. Research Essay and
Rhetoric. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Academic research-based writing across the disciplines. Article summary, critical analysis, rhetorical strategies, citation and paraphrase of academic sources, and editing for cohesion and clarity. First Year Professional Seminar. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025 Orientation to the culture and community of school and to teaching as a profession. Focus on the general functioning of schools and complexity of the teacher role. Competencies and working professional portfolios will be addressed. Communication in Education. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Written and oral communication in Education (in English): emphasis on strategies for identifying, analyzing and solving writing and speaking problems. Course work based on academic and professional communication in education, with a particular focus on classroom communication. English Exam for Teacher Certification. Terms offered: Summer 2025 The English Exam for Teacher Certification (EETC) is a Quebec Ministry of Education-required component of the B.Ed. degree. The exam is coordinated by an independent organization, the Centre for the English Exam for Teacher Certification (CEETC). Consists of a 2-hour exam designed to assess teacher
candidates' competency in the language of instruction. Must be completed before the 3rd Field Experience. Students must register for EDEC 215 and register for the EETC on the CEETC website. Students who do not pass after four attempts require permission from the Internships Student Affairs Office to re-take the exam.
Indigenous Education. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 An exploration of Indigenous knowledge and pedagogy, primarily in Canada but also world-wide. Consideration of the diverse social, cultural, linguistic, political, and pedagogical histories of Indigenous communities. Examines how a teacher's professional identity and practice can be influenced by an understanding of Indigenous knowledge and worldviews. Policy Issues in Quebec and Indigenous Education. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025 The organization of Quebec education, including Indigenous education, from historical, political, social, cultural and legal perspectives. The implications and contributions of policy decisions to schools, students, and families. Second Professional Seminar (Kindergarten/Elementary). Terms offered: Summer 2025 Preparation for the second field experience through development of basic practices in planning and teaching in elementary school classrooms. Competencies and working professional portfolios will be addressed. Media, Technology and Education. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Orientation to the equipment and systems of educational technology. Examination of theories of educational technology, media education and technology education and the exploration and development of possible applications in school settings. Fourth Year Professional Seminar (K/Elem). Terms offered: Winter 2026 Preparation for the final field experience and entry into the teaching profession. Emphasis will be placed on developing the ability to demonstrate ethical and responsible professional behaviour in the performance of duties across all professional competencies. Final transition from working professional portfolios will be addressed. Language Arts. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Winter 2026 Different approaches to language arts education in the contexts of kindergarten and elementary classrooms will be investigated. Explores current research and theories related to language and literacy development, learning and teaching.
Opportunities for cultivating techniques for aligning language arts pedagogy, curriculum, instruction and assessment will be provided. Elementary School Mathematics 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025 Elementary Education: The first of two courses specially designed for elementary school pre-service teachers. Focused on key areas of what teachers need to know and be able to do to support students' development of mathematical understanding (focus on mathematics content, students' reasoning, and pedagogy). Provides insight and understanding of the Quebec elementary mathematics program. Kindergarten Classroom Pedagogy. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Elementary Education : An orientation to the Kindergarten curriculum. Integration of the school subject areas (language arts, second language, mathematics, social sciences, science, expressive arts, moral and religious education, and physical education) in a manner appropriate to the developmental level of the pre-school child. Reading Methods - Kindergarten/Elementary. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Methods and materials for the teaching of reading. Elementary School Science. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025 Science as a means of exploring and explaining our environment. A study of some of the fundamental concepts and process skills common to most elementary programs. Elementary School Science 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Elementary Education : A study of science programs and teaching strategies appropriate for providing elementary school children with an appreciation of the nature and method of science inquiry. Geography, History and Citizenship Education. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Designed for elementary school teachers. A multi-disciplinary and cross-curricular investigation of various citizenship education themes, geographical regions and historical periods as outlined in the Quebec Education Program. Social Studies Pedagogy. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Elementary Education : Programs, materials and strategies for social studies from Kindergarten through grade six. Teaching Elementary Mathematics 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Elementary Education: The second of two courses specifically designed for elementary school pre-service teachers. Provides opportunities for the development of increasingly sophisticated knowledge and practices specific to elementary mathematics teaching. Provides insight and understanding of the Quebec modern elementary mathematics program. Third Year Professional Seminar (Kindergarten/Elementary). Terms offered: Fall 2025 Theory-based strategies for setting up, managing and teaching in the elementary school classroom. Methods for integrating the individual subject areas in the elementary school curriculum, using the Quebec curriculum as the primary example. Professional portfolios and professional competencies will be addressed. Classroom-based Evaluation. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025 The role of evaluation within kindergarten/elementary school programs. Topics include the kinds of information needed, different techniques for collecting that information, and ways of interpreting it to make educational decisions. Principles and a variety of methods for evaluation are discussed and practiced. Visions and Realities of Jewish Education. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A course in the philosophy of Jewish education. Various perspectives on the purpose of Jewish education are explored, and consideration is given to how contemporary Jewish ideologies can be translated into educational forms. Challenges facing Jewish education as it approaches the millennium are examined. Research in Jewish education is evaluated. Culture and Citizenship in Quebec
Context (K/Elem). Terms offered: Winter 2026 Teaching methods and pedagogical resources for programs in ethics and culture in the k/elementary school curriculum. First Field Experience (K/Elem and Secondary). Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025 Students are assigned to a school for a "participant observer" field experience. Students are expected to apprise themselves of Field Experience dates, duration and responsibilities as outlined on the Internships Student Affairs website at http://www.mcgill.ca/isa. Second Field Experience (Kindergarten/Elementary). Terms offered: Summer 2025 Supervised student teaching. Students are expected to apprise themselves of Field
Experience dates, duration and responsibilities as outlined on the Internships and Student Affairs website at www.mcgill.ca/isa. Third Field Experience (Kindergarten/Elementary). Terms offered: Fall 2025 Supervised student teaching in a school. Students are expected to apprise themselves of Field Experience dates, duration and responsibilities as outlined on the Internships and Student Affairs website at www.mcgill.ca/isa.
Fourth Field Experience (K/Elem). Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Supervised student teaching in a school. Students will be expected to assume a much increased responsibility for student learning, classroom management, and evaluation. Students are expected to apprise themselves of Field Experience dates, duration and responsibilities as outlined on the Internships and Student Affairs website at www.mcgill.ca/isa. Educational Psychology. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Selected theories, models, and concepts relevant to planning and reflecting upon educational practice and improvement. Overview of development, learning, thinking, motivation, individual difference, etc. In relation to applications in classroom teaching and learning, the complementary role of counsellors and psychologists, educational computing and technology. The Youth Protection Act. Diverse Learners. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Inclusion debates; review of the evolution of the history of inclusive education; models of development ( eco-systemic models); characteristics, teaching practices; teachers' roles in inclusive classrooms. Overview of characteristics, causes, needs, and teaching strategies for diverse and exceptional students, teaching and learning for differences in intellectual, emotional, behavioural, sensory, physical and learning domains found in effective inclusive classrooms. Working with families. Instruction in Inclusive Schools. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025 Developing, planning, implementing and evaluating effective learning programs for diverse learners, and consideration of their more general applicability. Adapting curriculum and instruction for learners with varying abilities, learning styles, and needs. Collaboration with students, families, and other educators (or stakeholders) in the instructional process. Application of adaptations at the classroom and school level for all students in inclusive schools. Jewish Studies 1: Biblical Period. Terms offered: Fall 2025 The history, literature and beliefs of Judaism's formative period. Both Biblical and non-Biblical materials will be studied. The Bible in the context of cognate literatures of the Ancient Near East; non-Biblical documents will be analysed for their bearing on the Jewish tradition. 3 credits from: Equity and Education. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Introduction to and exploration of contemporary issues and theories about equity in education and society in Quebec/Canada from a range of perspectives, including
the historical, political, social, and economic. Provides learning opportunities for future educators to critically reflect upon and engage with equity issues and concerns in relation to schooling, including the exploration of classroom resources and activities that foster anti-racism, anti-oppression and intercultural approaches. Global Education and Social Justice. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 A cross-curricular, interdisciplinary approach to teaching/creating learning experiences for students. It will foster critical thinking and nurture lifelong global understanding, active engagement and participation in relation to questions of social, economic, and environmental justice, by infusing these issues in the classroom. 3 credits from: Art Curriculum and Instruction - Elementary. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 An introduction to theories on children's visual expression and perception, lesson planning, and classroom-oriented studio practice. Curriculum and Instruction in Drama Education. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Pedagogical theory and practical applications in the teaching of developmental drama, dramatic forms, improvisation and theatre arts. Music Curriculum and Instruction for Generalists. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Study of materials and instructional techniques grounded in an understanding of basic musical concepts and contemporary theories of music teaching and learning. Definition of musical objectives and rationales, selection and development of materials, review of MEQ guidelines. Participation through singing, movement, listening, discussion and lesson planning and implementation. 9 credits from: Understanding and Teaching Jewish Life. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An exploration of Jewish holidays and life cycle rituals. Emphasis is placed on their historical development and philosophical meaning. Curriculum developed for teaching this material in various Jewish educational frameworks is examined and evaluated. Teaching the Jewish Liturgy. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An examination of curriculum developed for teaching prayer and fostering spirituality within Jewish educational frameworks. Excerpts from the liturgy of the Jewish people are studied with an emphasis on the theological, moral, and philosophical issues that they raise. Teaching the Holocaust. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An examination of approaches, strategies, and techniques of teaching the Holocaust, including methodologies for using the Holocaust as a basis for teaching about prejudice, cultural identity, racism, human rights and moral responsibility. Teaching Biblical Literature - Jewish School 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examination of Biblical passages raising theological, moral, historical, literary, or linguistic challenges, and their interpretation within the rabbinic tradition and modern scholarship. Methodologies for teaching such passages in Jewish studies classrooms are discussed. Some familiarity with Biblical and Rabbinic Hebrew is essential, but most texts are available in English. In consultation with the Jewish Studies option Program Adviser, students select 15 credits from the undergraduate course offerings of the Department of Jewish Studies, Faculty of Arts.Kindergarten and Elementary Jewish Studies (B.Ed.) (120 credits)
Degree: Bachelor of Education
Program credit weight: 120 creditsProgram Description
Foundation Program
Course
Title
Credits
EDEE 325 Children's Literature. 3 EDEM 220 Contemporary Issues in Education. 3 EDES 366 Literature for Young Adults. 3 FRSL 101 Beginners French 1. 3 FRSL 102 Beginners French 2. 3 FRSL 207D1 Elementary French 01. 3 FRSL 207D2 Elementary French 01. 3 FRSL 211D1 Oral and Written French 1. 3 FRSL 211D2 Oral and Written French 1. 3 MATH 111 Mathematics for Education Students. 3 RELG 207 Introduction to the Study of Religions. 3 WCOM 250 Research Essay and
Rhetoric. 3 Required Courses (87 credits)
Course
Title
Credits
EDEC 201 First Year Professional Seminar. 1 EDEC 203 Communication in Education. 3 EDEC 215 English Exam for Teacher Certification. 0 EDEC 233 Indigenous Education. 3 EDEC 247 Policy Issues in Quebec and Indigenous Education. 3 EDEC 253 Second Professional Seminar (Kindergarten/Elementary). 1 EDEC 262 Media, Technology and Education. 3 EDEC 405 Fourth Year Professional Seminar (K/Elem). 3 EDEE 223 Language Arts. 3 EDEE 230 Elementary School Mathematics 1. 3 EDEE 253 Kindergarten Classroom Pedagogy. 3 EDEE 260 Reading Methods - Kindergarten/Elementary. 3 EDEE 270 Elementary School Science. 3 EDEE 273 Elementary School Science 2. 3 EDEE 280 Geography, History and Citizenship Education. 3 EDEE 283 Social Studies Pedagogy. 3 EDEE 332 Teaching Elementary Mathematics 2. 3 EDEE 353 Third Year Professional Seminar (Kindergarten/Elementary). 3 EDEE 355 Classroom-based Evaluation. 3 EDER 320 Visions and Realities of Jewish Education. 3 EDER 360 Culture and Citizenship in Quebec
Context (K/Elem). 2 EDFE 200 First Field Experience (K/Elem and Secondary). 2 EDFE 256 Second Field Experience (Kindergarten/Elementary). 3 EDFE 306 Third Field Experience (Kindergarten/Elementary). 8 EDFE 406 Fourth Field Experience (K/Elem). 7 EDPE 300 Educational Psychology. 3 EDPI 309 Diverse Learners. 3 EDPI 341 Instruction in Inclusive Schools. 3 JWST 211 Jewish Studies 1: Biblical Period. 3 Complementary Courses (30 credits)
Equity Education
Course
Title
Credits
EDEC 248 Equity and Education. 3 EDEC 249 Global Education and Social Justice. 3 Teaching Methods (12 credits)
Course
Title
Credits
EDEA 332 Art Curriculum and Instruction - Elementary. 3 EDEA 342 Curriculum and Instruction in Drama Education. 3 EDEA 345 Music Curriculum and Instruction for Generalists. 3
Course
Title
Credits
EDER 252 Understanding and Teaching Jewish Life. 3 EDER 318 Teaching the Jewish Liturgy. 3 EDER 319 Teaching the Holocaust. 3 EDER 401 Teaching Biblical Literature - Jewish School 1. 3 Kindergarten and Elementary - Subject Area: Jewish Studies (15 credits)
Electives (3 credits)
For more information please view the program page on the Admissions website or contact:
Eric Caplan
Director
Tel.: (514) 398-6544.
Email
Program information is organized for three distinct groups:
Prospective Students Newly Admitted Currently Registered
