Literacy Methods in Social Studies and Content Area Learning

Catalog description

The graduate-level course will focus on specific research-based theories and content area literacy practices designed to encourage candidates to infuse and integrate literacy knowledge, skills, and strategies into the humanities, the social sciences and disciplinary instruction in grades 1-6 school classrooms. This course will provide candidates with opportunities for planning instruction and creating curriculum materials with the goal of promoting all students, including developmentally, linguistically, and culturally diverse learners as well as a range of cognitive and learning achievement abilities from gifted to challenged competencies (e.g. struggling learners and those with learning disabilities) to develop to the highest level of achievement and independence. This graduate course will emphasize the role that academically literacy plays in developing knowledge in the content areas, including those associated with humanities. Candidates will develop appropriate strategies for teaching and assessing both formally and informally and differentiating instruction using tiered (RTI) literacy instruction to meet students' needs. All candidates will develop technology skills as they explore resources and techniques to enhance their professional development. Sumultaneously, they will model new literacy-based media skills for teaching humanities and enhancing student achievement. Field work required.