Department of Elementary Education Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Department of Elementary Education Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY

Department of Elementary Education

ELU 452 Current Trends in Reading Instruction

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will examine current reading programs and major developments in the teaching of reading. Students will analyze programs, approaches, and instructional methods in view of the current research regarding the effective teaching of reading. In addition, students will take part in discussions concerning the selected topics. Specific topics will vary from semester to semester, as changes occur in topics addressed in current professional journals. PREREQUISITES: ELU 201. 3 s.h. 3 c.h.

OBJECTIVES

As a result of study and activities in this course, students will be able to:

  1. describe current trends in beginning reading instruction
  2. respond verbally and/or in writing to various reading programs that are currently on the

market

  1. respond verbally and/or in writing to instructional procedures and strategies that are

addressedin professional journals

  1. recognize the importance of a balanced reading program
  2. recognize reading materials which reflect the cultural diversity of our society
  3. analyze instructional strategies in regard to addressing the needs of culturally different

andat-risk students

  1. identify specific reading programs which reflect the cultural diversity of our society

and promotebetter understanding of the diverse nature of United States classrooms

  1. evaluate computer software and internet sites related to reading instruction
  2. describe the effects of current trends in reading upon the behavior and attitudes of

students,teachers, and parents

ASSESSMENT

Using objective test questions, rating scales and rubrics, students will be assessed at the translation, application, and analysis levels.

COURSE OUTLINE

I.Review of ELU 201 major concepts

A.Emergent literacy

B.Reading as an interactive/transactive process

C.Communication and the reading, writing, speaking, listening, thinking connection

D.Balancing direct skill instruction and opportunities for reading authentic

literature

E.Culturally responsive pedagogy

II.Changing views of literacy and literacy learning: A historical perspective

A.Behaviorist and Gestalt views

B.Current perspectives as addressed in professional journals

III.Using multimedia to enhance reading instruction

A.Teaching with the internet

B.Computer software

IV.Additional content, addressed through self-selected research, as well as reading, analysis and discussion of current educational literature, may include topics such as:

A.Middle level school literacy instruction

1. Promoting critical thinking

2. Enhancing comprehension through self-questioning

3. Utilizing structures that enhance class discussions

4. Improving comprehension of good readers

B.Assured Readiness for Learning (ARL)

C.Reading and writing workshops

D.Literature response journals

E.Visual literacy

F.Supporting ESL students in content classes

G.Aligning objectives, instruction, and assessment
H.Reading conferences

I.Language arts portfolio assessment

J. Programs for at-risk students

1. Reading Recovery

2. Accelerated Reader

K.Reading instruction in inclusion classes

L. Organizational structures

1. peer and cross-age tutoring

2. non-graded reading organization

M. Adult literacy
N. A literature approach to character education

O. Family literacy

Instructional Resources

Cooper, D. J. (2000). Literacy: Helping Children Construct Meaning. 4th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Cox, C, & Boyd-Batstone, P. (1997). Crossroads: Literature and Languages in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Classrooms. New Jersey: Prentice.

De Gaetano, Y., Leslie R. Williams, L.R. & Volk, D. (1998). Kaleidoscope: A Multicultural Approach for the Primary School Classroom. New Jersey: Prentice.

Grant H. D. (2000). Communication in Action: Teaching Literature-Based Language Arts. 7th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Journal Articles

Alfaro, R. (March 1999). "The Technology-Reading Connection." Educational Leadership, 56:6, 48-50.

Baker, K. (November 1998). "Structured English Immersion: Breakthrough in Teaching Limited-English-Proficient Students." Kappan. 80:3. 199-204.

Baumann, J. F., Hooten, H., & White, P. (September 1999). "Teaching Comprehension Through Literature: A Teacher-Research Project to Develop Fifth Graders' Reading Strategies and Motivation." The Reading Teacher 53:1, 38-51.

Brice, Al. & Roseberry-McKibbin, C. (April 1999). "Turning Frustration into Success for English Language Learners." Educational Leadership , 56:7, 53-55.

Cocks, Patricia, & Higgins, N. C. (1999). "The Effects of Animation Cues on Vocabulary Development." Reading Psychology , 20:1,1-10.

Cullinan, B. (April 1998). "Poetry Workshop: Capture Kids, Passion with Poetry." Instructor .107:7.21-22.

Cunningham, J.W. & Wall, L. K. (March 1994). "Teaching Good Readers to Comprehend Better." Journal of Reading. 37:6, 480-86.

Diller, M. (December/January 1993/94). "Using Hypermedia to Enhance Content Area Instruction." Journal of Reading. 37:7, 260-70.

Duffy, G. G., & Hoffman, J.V. (September 1999). "In Pursuit of an Illusion: The Flawed Search for the Perfect Method." The Reading Teacher. 53:1. 10-16.

Ervin, R. (November 1998). "Assessing Early Reading Achievement: The Road to Results." Kappan . 80:3, 226-28.

Gaskins, I.W., Satlow, E.; Hyson, D.; Ostertag, J. & Six, L. (April 1994). "Classroom Talk About Text: Learning in Science Class." Journal of Reading. 37:7, 558-65.

Gersten, R. (April 1999). 'The Changing Face of Bilingual Education." Educational Leadership. 56:7, 41-45.

Glasgow, J.N. (March 1994). "Teaching Visual Literacy for the 21st Century." Journal of Reading . 37:6, 494-99.

Handel, R.D. (April 1995). "Family Reading at the Middle School", Journal of Reading. 38.7. 528-39.

Johnson, D. (September 1999). "Electronic Collaboration: Children's Literature in the Classroom." The Reading Teacher. 53.1, 54-60.

Johnson, F. R. (September 1999). "The Timing and Teaching of Word Families." The Reading Teacher. 53:1. 64-75.

Kletzien, S. B. & Baloche, L. (April 1994). "The Shifting Muffled Sound of the Pick: Facilitating Student-to-Student Discussion." Journal of Reading. 37:7, 540-44.

McDonald, J. (September 1999). "Graphs and Prediction: Helping Children Connect Mathematics and Literature." The Reading Teacher. 53:1, 25-29.

Menke, D.J. & Pressley, M. (May 1994). "Elaborative Interrogation: Using Why? Questions to Enhance the Learning from Text." Journal of Reading. 37:8, 642-45.

Metzger, M. (November 1998). "Teaching Reading: Beyond the Plot". Kappan. 80:3. 240.

Moss, B. (February 1995). "Using Children's Nonfiction Trade books as Read-Alouds". Language Arts. 72:2, 22-26.

Rinehart, S. D. (1999). "Don't Think for a Minute That I'm Getting Up There: Opportunities forReaders' Theater in a Tutorial for Children with Reading Problems." Reading Psychology. 20:1, 7179.

Rothstein-Fisch, C, Greenfield, P. M. & Trumbull, E. (April 1999). "Bridging Cultures with Classroom Strategies." Educational Leadership. 56:7. 64-67.

Smith, L.J. & Smith, D. L. (April 1994). "The Discussion Process: A Simulation." Journal of Reading. 37:7, 582-85.

Sydney-Smith, S. (March 1999). "Reforming the Kindergarten Round-Up." Educational Leadership. 56:6, 39-44.

Thomas, W. P. & Collier, V. P. (April 1999). "Accelerated Schooling for English Language Learners." Educational Leadership. 56:7, 46-49.

Zemelman, S., Daniels, H. & Bizar, M. (March 1999). "Sixty Years of Reading Research- But Who's Listening?" Kappan. 80:7. 513-517.

Additional Resources

Effective Literacy Instruction. K-8. 4th ed. Videocassette. Donald J. Leu and Charles K. Kinzer. Merrill Education, Prentice Hall, 1999.

Book Adventure:

Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy Online

http ://readingonline.org/electronic/jaal/JAALindex. html

Reading Online:

Searchopolis: hpp:llwww searchopolis com/

Revised 8/2005

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