Elementary Methods - Reading/Language Arts

Catalog description

This course focuses on the most current research, theory, methods, and state standards related to the science of reading and structured literacy. This focus includes phonological awareness, systematic phonics and spelling, vocabulary and oral language, and text reading fluency, all leading to reading comprehension and literacy development. Teacher candidates will enhance content knowledge of phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. This course provides teacher candidates with the background knowledge in the science of reading necessary to prepare comprehensive research-based and standards-based lesson plans, as well as integrated units of instruction. Effective instructional, assessment, and differentiation techniques are also discussed. RDG 420CA Elementary Methods: Reading and Language Arts 3 This course focuses on the five key themes of English language arts (ELA) and literacy - meaning making, language development, effective expression, content knowledge, and foundational skills - as well as English language development (ELD) instruction in multiple-subject classrooms. Candidates develop their knowledge of phonemic awareness, spelling patterns, implementing multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), and the literature, language, and comprehension components of literacy instruction. Emphasis is placed on applying interdisciplinary teaching strategies, utilizing universal design for learning (UDL) principles, and supporting all learners, including English learners and students who have dyslexia. In addition, the course includes a literacy instruction field experience in a lower elementary (K-2nd grade) classroom.