Course: EED 477A. Reading Instruction for Diverse Learners (3)
Pre/Corequisites: ENGL 428. Restricted to ITEP Credential Program pathway candidates. This is the first of two courses designed to prepare candidates to teach reading, writing, speaking, listening and language across the curriculum to all students—including early through advanced literacy skills, English learners, and students with special needs (i.e., students exhibiting signs and symptoms of dyslexia). Teacher candidates will become familiar with historical and theoretical perspectives on literacy, with an emphasis on evidence-based research, including The Science of Reading, and the current state-adopted standards in English language arts and English language development (ELD), and The California Dyslexia Guidelines. Candidates will learn how to use an array of engaging instructional methods focusing explicitly on foundational skills, meaning making, language development, effective expression, and content knowledge. The course will utilize a social justice approach to teaching literacy, including culturally sustaining pedagogies, asset-based instruction, trauma informed practices, and social emotional learning to address student needs and to help students develop a lifelong passion for literacy. Candidates learn to administer literacy assessments and use assessment data to inform instructional planning. This course requires 20 hours of directed fieldwork at a school site, during reading/language arts/ELD instruction.