EDUC Outline

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

SUMMER SEMESTER 2006

EDUC 472-4

DESIGNS FOR LEARNING: ELEMENTARY LANGUAGE

ARTS

(D03.00)

Kathryn Yamamoto

Office: EDB 8631.2

Phone: 291-5519

WEDNESDAY 12:00-3:50 pm (UCFV Abbotsford) Room A234

PREREQUISITE:

EDUC 401/402

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Designs for Learning: Elementary Language Arts is a practically-oriented course intended for teachers

who are interested in creating engaging, inclusive, research-based Language Arts programs in culturally

and linguistically diverse elementary classrooms. Language Arts is defined broadly to include listening,

speaking, reading, writing, viewing and representing. A key characteristic of the course will be the

promotion of high-quality literature and informational texts in classroom activities. We will also

consider issues related to language minority learners in the classroom and the challenges of meeting

diverse learning needs. Students will have opportunities to examine the relationship between theory and

practice, to critically reflect on their beliefs about the role of the teacher and the nature of good language

arts teaching, and to develop a set of sound principles to guide their work with children.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Participants will engage in a variety of activities designed to:

• develop a rich repertoire of research-based instructional strategies

• enhance critical awareness and appreciation of children's literature and other resources

• learn about and practice performance-based literacy assessment strategies

• explore ways to differentiate instruction to address the needs of all students

REQUIREMENTS

-completion in-class assignments related to the assigned professional readings

-participation in group activities and projects

-completion of short oral and written assignments

-completion of a two-week inquiry-based or a resource-based unit

REQUIRED READINGS

Tompkins, G.

(2005).

Language Arts Essentials. Pearson Education Canada.

ISBN 0-13-172006-6

Additional articles/readings will be distributed/assigned throughout the semester.

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