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LANGUAGE ARTS 2000-2001

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Communication Through Language

 

Course: Curriculum and Instruction (#1420 and #1450)
Instructor: Dr. Jackie Eldridge
Office: 11-160
Phone: (416) 923-6641Ext. 2643
E-mail: jeldridge@oise.utoronto.ca

 

NATURE OF THE COURSE

The Language Arts course is part of the broader Curriculum and Instruction course. It is designed to give teacher candidates an understanding of literacy development in children of the primary, junior and intermediate grades. It is also intended to provide candidates with an overview of the knowledge required to design and implement an equitable Language Arts program for all students including those with exceptional learning needs.

The exploration of literacy development will be examined in the context of the Ontario Curriculum for Language Arts Grades 1-8 (1997). This Curriculum is divided into Reading, Writing and Oral and Visual Communication.

This course will be integrated with other courses of study such as Psychological Foundations of learning and Development, Teacher Education Seminar and Special Education seminar. Primary/Junior candidates will investigate writing in depth as part of their PJ course of held on Wednesday afternoons.

 

As a student in this course you will:

 

COURSE MATERIALS

Required Readings:

Booth, David (1998). Guiding the Reading Process: Techniques and Strategies for Successful Instruction in K-8 Classrooms. Toronto: Pembroke Publishers.

Tompkins, G. (1998). 50 Literacy Strategies: Step by Step. Toronto: Prentice Hall.

Selected course readings will be distributed in class or can be accessed electronically through the OISE/UT website.

 

Recommended Readings:

Atwell, Nancie (1998). In the Middle: New Understanding About Writing, Reading and Learning. Toronto: Irwin. (This book will be very helpful for Junior/Intermediate Teachers)

Booth, David (1996). Literacy Techniques for Building Successful Readers and Writers. Markham: Pembroke.

Graves, Donald (1994). A Fresh Look at Writing. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

 

Relevant Educational Journals

 

Relevant Web Sites

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND EVALUATION

 Assignment Number One - All About Me Book/Diversity Doll - 15 Marks
This assignment will allow you to communicate who you are. It will also give you an understanding of the process of writing and illustrating for a particular audience (i.e. primary, junior, intermediate students), process writing and book publishing. A detailed outline of the method and criteria for your All About Me book will be given to you in class. In addition you will make a Diversity Doll that represents your cultural heritage. These dolls will be displayed at Hearne to reflect the diversity among people in all schools.

Diversity Dolls are due on September 19 or 26, 2000. All About Me Books are due on October 16, 2000.

Assignment Number Two - In-class Inquiry into Literacy - Pass/Fail
This assignment will allow you to explore what literacy means to you and how you will promote the development of literacy in your classrooms. It will also help you to articulate the meaning of literacy.

Assignment Number Three - Reflective Journal - 10 Marks
For this assignment you will refer to the Cross-Course information sheet.

Assignment Number Four- Portfolio - 30 Marks
For this assignment you will refer to the Cross-Course information sheet.

Assignment Number Five- Book and Author Study - 30 Marks
You will work as a learning circle for this assignment. With your group you will compile an annotated list of Children's books and authors based on the division of your choice (e.g. primary, junior, intermediate). This list will be shared and discussed with other learning circles. Included in your Author Study you must demonstrate an awareness of appropriate content for your chosen division as well as sensitivity for equity issues and Canadian content.

This assignment will be due on February 6, 2000.

 

Evaluation will be based on:

  1. Clarity of thought;
  2. A comprehensive annotated list of books and authors;
  3. Demonstration of an awareness of gender, cultural and ability equity issues;
  4. Inclusion of some Canadian content;
  5. Appropriate material for your chosen division;
  6. Thoughtful presentation of your Author Study to other learning circles.

Assignment Number Six- Professionalism - 15 Marks
For this assignment you will refer to the Cross-Course information sheet.

 

 

 

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LANGUAGE ARTS 2000-2001

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