READ 514: Linguistics for Teachers: ECE/Elem (3-cr)

COURSE
DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to help participants understand some of the linguistic principles and processes that underlie beginning reading and writing. With this information, participants will be better able to use instructional strategies with flexibility and confidence, and in turn give their students a richer appreciation of language structure, literacy and language arts.

PREREQUISITES

There are no required prerequisites for this course. However, learners are assumed to be teachers with access to early childhood or elementary-level students.

COURSE
STRUCTURE

Textbook, library, and online readings with posted reflections; posting to whole class discussion forums; providing feedback to other learners; three assignments (both theoretical and applied) plus an integrative capstone assignment.

STANDARDS

This course supports the following International Reading Association's Standards for Reading Professionals:

1.1	Demonstrate knowledge of psychological, sociological, and linguistic foundations of reading and writing processes and instruction.
1.3	Demonstrate knowledge of language development and reading acquisition and the variations related to cultural and linguistic diversity.
1.4	Demonstrate knowledge of the major components of reading (phonemic awareness, word identification and phonics, vocabulary and background knowledge, fluency, comprehension strategies, and motivation) and how they are integrated in fluent reading.
2.3	Use a wide range of curriculum materials in effective reading instruction for learners at different stages of reading and writing development and from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
3.3	Use assessment information to plan, evaluate, and revise effective instruction that meets the needs of all students, including those at different developmental stages and those from differing cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

PRACTICAL
APPLICATIONS

During this course, you will be asked to incorporate some of the assignments into your daily teaching. The assignments are designed to be meaningful to you as a practicing teacher as you work with students in your classroom.

CORE/ELECTIVE

This graduate course can be used as a core or elective course in the Literacy Foundations thematic area in the 24-credit Reading Endorsement program, as 3 elective credits for those in the 12-credit Literary Education program, or as a stand-alone course.

INSTRUCTOR

Dr. David Hargreaves, Associate Professor, Linguistics & Humanities, Western Oregon University. (PhD in Linguistics, University of Oregon. Language & Cognition; Linguistics & Literacy; Himalayan Linguistics)

TARGET
AUDIENCE

This course is designed for teachers of pre-K through elementary school and teachers working toward the reading specialist credential.

TIME
COMMITMENT

Students should expect to spend 15 hours per week for 6 weeks in course-related activities (e.g., reading the text and course materials, posting to discussion forums, completing written and classroom-based assignments). This course is online and does not require in-person attendance. Assignments are completed on the learner's time schedule and are due as posted.

TEXTBOOK

A textbook is required for this course. You will be sent the textbook title and suggested purchase locations when you register for the course.

COST

No course in the ReadOregon curriculum will cost more than $300 per credit, including all fees.

TECHNICAL
REQUIREMENTS

This online course requires access to the Internet with a browser (Netscape or Internet Explorer), an email account, and word processing software (e.g. Word, WordPerfect) for written assignments. Recommended minimum computer configuration is:

PC running Windows 95 or newer
Macintosh Quadra 700 or better or Power PC
Modem 28.8 or faster, or other network connection
Sound card and speakers (optional)
32 Megabytes or greater of system RAM
Adequate hard disk drive

CONTACT

For more details on this course, please contact Dr. David Hargreaves, Western Oregon University.