Teaching Elementary Language Arts – EDUC 319

CG • Section 8WK • 07/01/2018 to 12/31/2199 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

A survey of instructional approaches, materials and media for the teaching of language arts including reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and visually representing. Emphasis will be given to developing differentiated instructional practices for diverse learners with a focus on the writing process, reading and writing connections, assessment, writing genres, research techniques and content area strategies.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

This methods course will help equip the candidate with theoretical and practical instructional practices regarding the teaching of language arts and writing. 

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the candidate will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt. Each thread must be a minimum of 350 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the candidate is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be a minimum of 150 words.  (CLO: D, E, F)

The candidate will create a writing prompt for each of the following:  journal writing,  biographical writing, expository writing, narrative writing, descriptive writing, persuasive writing and poetry indicating the grade level (K-8) and the Virginia State Standard of Learning.  The prompts will provide candidates with an opportunity to teach the following research techniques to students:  evaluating, organizing, crediting, and synthesizing information.  The candidate will also create a rubric using RubiStar for one of the seven writing prompts.  (CLO:  A, D, F)

The candidate will complete a practice task simulation to prepare for the official tasks that will be prepared and submitted during student teaching.  The candidate will evaluate a video clip of a literacy lesson segment by analyzing the learning environment, student engagement, and student learning based on the edTPA rubrics.  The candidate will complete the Planning Commentary and write responses to explain how their instruction aligns with the edTPA requirements.  (CLO:  B, D, E)

The candidate will modify existing lesson plans to meet the needs of a specific student population.  The candidate will demonstrate differentiation in literacy for instruction and assessment. (CLO:  A, C, D)

The candidate will write a lesson plan using content area strategies that focus on how to use informational text structures.  The candidate will use the edTPA lesson plan template which includes a section on differentiation (CLO: A, E, F)

The candidate will select a grade level (K-8) and design a language arts project integrating the six language arts strands- listening, talking, reading, writing, viewing, and visually representing.  The project will include a text set, lesson plan, mini lessons, a tiered reading group activity, and assessments.  The candidate will understand the nature and development of language and its impact on vocabulary development and spelling.  (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F)

Quizzes (4)

Each quiz will cover the textbook material for the assigned module: week.  Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain ten multiple-choice questions, and have a 60-minute time limit.  (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)