ED 567: Spelling matters (2 credits)

COURSE
DESCRIPTION

Developmentally appropriate classroom practices in the teaching of spelling based on theory and research on learning to spell and the nature of English spelling. Intended to develop knowledge of the principles underlying how children learn to spell and the developmental stages through which learning progresses in order to design spelling programs that work.

PREREQUISITES

Graduate standing. 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

This is an online Blackboard course. Activities include textbook readings with online discussion, reports, and classroom application. Participants will:

Become more knowledgeable about the nature of English spelling
Become more knowledgeable about children's development in spelling
Become aware of various approaches to learning spelling
Design aspects of a successful spelling program for classroom use

STANDARDS

This course supports the following International Reading Association's Standards for Reading Professionals (2003):

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.

PRACTICAL
APPLICATIONS

Learners will evaluate current spelling programs and make recommendations for change, assess students' spelling development, and create lessons to foster students' spelling growth.

CORE/ELECTIVE

This graduate course can be used as 2 core or elective credit(s) 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. Please consult an advisor at your home institution about adding this course to your program.

INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Carol Lauritzen, Professor, College of Education, Eastern Oregon University. Fourteen years of K-12 experience including 3 years as a classroom teacher and 11 years as a language arts specialist. (BA, University of Nebraska; MA, Ph.D., University of Missouri)

TARGET
AUDIENCE

K-12 teachers wishing to learn effective techniques to aid their students to become better spellers and writers.

TIME
COMMITMENT

Students should expect to spend 6 hours per week for 10 weeks in course-related activities (e.g., reading the text and course materials, posting to discussion forums, completing written reports/papers 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

Textbook(s) are required for this course. You will find the textbook listed in the syllabus that is posted online at the EOU website or you may contact the instructor. For most classes, the EOU Bookstore will be a source for the textbook.

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 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. Carol Lauritzen.