Science and Practice of Teaching Hebrew Reading

Catalog description

All Jewish educators who teach texts in Hebrew are teaching literacy and to do that effectively, they need to learn its science. This course examines the nature of reading and writing. Consideration is given to the acquisition and role of language (first and second) and to the emerging intellectual and emotional needs of children, particularly within a Jewish community. The facts and misconceptions concerning language learning, literacy development as it relates to bilingualism, various approaches to reading and writing instruction, assessment of reading and writing, and interventions for "at-risk" readers, are studied. Each student works individually with a child, observing, trying out methods and materials, and developing firsthand awareness of the reading and writing process, especially the role of the teacher and child in that process.