READ 532: Writing across the Curriculum: Gr 5-12 (1 cr.)

COURSE
DESCRIPTION

Learners will explore instructional strategies in order to guide their students in acquiring writing skills in content areas. Emphasis is on the functional teaching of writing including designing and preparing materials to use with curriculum materials in all school subjects.

PREREQUISITES

There are no required prerequisites for this course.

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 2003 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.
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.
4.1	Use students' interests, reading abilities, and backgrounds as foundations for the reading and writing program.
4.3	Model reading and writing enthusiastically as valued life-long activities.
4.4	Motivate learners to be lifelong readers.
5.3	Work with colleagues to observe, evaluate, and provide feedback on each other's practice.

PRACTICAL
APPLICATIONS

Course will enable the learner to develop instructional writing 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 3 credits 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

Carrol Tama, PhD, Professor, Portland State University Graduate School of Education. Eight years of secondary Language Arts teaching, 4 years as a Reading Teacher and 9-12 Reading Coordinator. (BA, Alvernia College; MA, California State University; MS, PhD, Syracuse 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 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

The textbook for this course is Write More! Learn More! Writing Across the Curriculum by Carrol Tama and Anita McClain. Kendall/Hunt Publishing. ISBN 0-75753194-6.

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 or WordPerfect for written assignments. Recommended minimum computer configuration:

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(S)

For more details on this course, please contact Carrol Tama or Val Katagiri at Portland State University.