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SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

EDUCATION 472

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DESIGNS FOR LEARNING: LANGUAGE ARTS (ELEMENTARY)

Instructor: ?

Joanne Holme

Summer Session, 1991

(July 2 - August 9)

Monday & Wednesday

5:30 - 9:20 p.m.

Location: MPX 8620

PREREQUISITE:

Educ 401/402, or equivalent.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course is designed for students and teachers who wish to explore a language

communication—based approach to learning, called the Language Arts. This course will

provide a framework in which you will examine and reflect upon; fundamental principles

underlying a Language Arts program; your beliefs regarding learning and teaching the

Language Arts; your role as teacher in engaging children in their search for meaning;

methods and materials that will enhance language learning in the classroom.

The course will comprise a broad range of experiences from reflection and discussion of

professional readings, seminars, lectures, workshops, individualized tasks and small

group work.

OUTLINE OF TOPICS

• Overview of Language Arts Curriculum and programs (with special reference to what is

termed 'whole language')

• Language learning and literacy

• Aural—oral aspect of the Language Arts - fostering and developing listening and

speaking

• Children's literature in the Language Arts classroom

• The reading and writing processes - how to help children make the links

• Reading and writing across the curriculum

• Assessment and evaluation in Language Arts

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• Attendance and participation in all parts of the course

• Completion of assigned professional readings

• Completion of brief oral and/or written assignments

• Completion of final self—evaluation summary

REQUIRED TEXTS

McCormick—Calkins, Lucy. (1986).

The Art of Teaching Writing.

Portsmouth, NH:

Heinemann. ISBN 0-435-08246-9

Weaver, Constance. (1990).

Understanding Whole Language

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From Principles to

Practice.

Toronto: Irwin Publishers. ISBN 0-435-08535-2

*Wells

,Gordon. (1986).

The Meaning Makers.

London: Heinemann Educational Books.

ISBN 0-435-08247-7

Note: Read and be prepared to discuss Gordon Wells' The Meaning Makers for the

second class (July 8, 1991).

RECOMMENDED TEXTS

Throughout the course the instructor will suggest additional articles and books for

enrichment reading pertinent to the topics discussed in class. A complete bibliography

will be handed out at the first class meeting.