ED 581: Literacy in the Middle/High School

COURSE
DESCRIPTION

This course focuses on principles of successful literacy programs for all students in the middle school and high school. Specifics will be provided for working with advanced students as well as those students who have not found success in literacy.

PREREQUISITES

Graduate standing. Learners are assumed to be teachers with access to middle and/or high school students.

COURSE
STRUCTURE

This is a Blackboard-facilitated course. Students are expected to read text assignments as scheduled and respond to the texts via web-based discussion boards. Students will complete a literacy experience, implementing one of the strategies discussed in the text and critically reflect on the lesson. A final paper in the form of a scholarly article on a secondary literacy methodology or instructional technique is required.

STANDARDS

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

2.1	Use instructional grouping options (individual, small-group, whole-class, and computer-based) as appropriate for accomplishing given purposes.
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.
3.2	Place students along a developmental continuum and identify students' proficiencies and difficulties.
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.
4.3	Model reading and writing enthusiastically as valued lifelong activities.
4.4	Motivate learners to be lifelong readers.

PRACTICAL
APPLICATIONS

Course Outcomes: Upon completion of the course, the student should:

understand the theories behind creating a literacy learning environment
demonstrate a knowledge of the reading/literacy process in terms of collaboration, guided reading, text tapping, modeling, and comprehension strategies, and the application of these skills to middle / high level content materials;
develop perspectives on formal and informal instruments and strategies for assessing language/literacy performance and use across the curriculum

CORE/ELECTIVE

This graduate course can be used as 3 core credits in the Literacy Strategies & Methods thematic area in the 24-credit Reading Endorsement program or 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. Lisa Snyder, Assistant Professor, College of Education, Eastern Oregon University. (BA, State University of New York College at New Paltz; MS, State University of New York at Albany; Doctorate, Argosy University)

TARGET
AUDIENCE

Teachers seeking a reading endorsement and those interested in improving literacy teaching in middle and high schools.

TIME
COMMITMENT

Students should expect to spend 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 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 Lisa Snyder.