READ 530: Reading/Composition in Content Areas, 5-12

COURSE
DESCRIPTION

Learners will explore literacy strategies in order to guide their students in acquiring skills needed for adequate reading, thinking, writing, and study in content areas. Emphasis is on the functional teaching of reading and writing including designing and preparing materials to use with curriculum materials in all school subjects.

PREREQUISITES

There are no required prerequisites for this course. However, learners are assumed to be teachers with access to elementary and/or secondary students.

COURSE
STRUCTURE

Textbook readings with posted reflections; posting to whole class discussion forums; providing feedback to other learners; and assignments.

STANDARDS

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

2.2	Use a wide range of instructional practices, approaches and methods, including technology-based practices, for learners at different stages of development and from differing cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
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.
4.3	Model reading and writing enthusiastically as valued lifelong activities.

PRACTICAL
APPLICATIONS

Course will enable the learner to develop instructional literacy materials for use in their own classroom as well as develop professional development skills as a potential reading specialist.

CORE/ELECTIVE

This graduate course can be used as a core or elective course in the Literacy Strategies & Methods thematic area in the 24-credit Reading Endorsement program, the 12-credit Literary Education program, or for individual professional development.

INSTRUCTOR

Megan Owens, Adjunct professor, Portland State University Graduate School of Education as well as middle school teacher, Stoller Middle School, Beaverton School District since 1987 (BA, M.Ed., Portland State University).

TARGET
AUDIENCE

Upper elementary, middle school and high school teachers and those seeking a Reading Specialist endorsement.

TIME
COMMITMENT

Students should expect to spend approximately 22 hours per week for 4 weeks (summer) OR 9 hours per week for 10 weeks in course-related activities (e.g., reading the text and course materials, posting to discussion forums, completing written and teacher's classroom-based assignment). 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

Guiding Reading and Writing in the Content Areas: Practical Strategies by Tama and McLain. Kendall Hunt Publishers. 3rd edition. This book is available at the PSU Bookstore or Amazon.com.

COST

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

TECHNICAL
REQUIREMENTS

This online course requires access to the Internet with 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 Megan Owens at Megan_Owens@beavton.k12.or.us.