Course Details

The purpose of this course is to introduce the preservice teacher candidate to the teaching and learning processes associated with research-based comprehensive literacy instruction and will emphasize the scientific foundations of literacy instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, text comprehension and fluency. Developmental stages of learning to read and write, interactive teaching strategies, and instructional materials, methods and assessments will be presented. Emphasis will be placed on the development of a knowledge base needed to assist beginning teachers in making insightful decisions regarding their objectives and practices. Updated information on current trends, research, and state and national standards will be emphasized. Tier 1 classroom literacy instruction in accordance with a multi-tiered system of support philosophy and practice will be highlighted. An asset-based approach to understanding language and literacy development will ground all course experiences alongside content that supports candidates' ability to plan scaffolded instruction that incorporates students' linguistic and cultural identities and meets students' diverse learning needs. Current multi-cultural children's literature will be used in simulated classroom teaching experiences.

Outcomes: Students will be able to make informed decisions regarding literacy instruction; They will be able to apply curriculum knowledge and instructional strategies in the development and teaching of literacy lessons.