Description
In elementary schools, there must be knowledgeable teachers who understand the major theories and research of literacy development and recognize how those influence their teaching. Through this professional development course, R2S Foundations of Reading, classroom teachers will gain practical knowledge to build a foundation for improving all students’ reading development and achievement. Teachers will connect their understanding of how students gain literacy proficiency with scientifically based reading research to make complex instructional decisions that support theory, practices, and student achievement. Teachers will have an opportunity to develop shared beliefs and align those beliefs with scientifically based research practices. Based on relevant and recent research, this professional development offers a context for teachers to study, develop, share, and learn effective theoretical constructs to meet their students’ diverse needs.
Course Outline
Week 1: Student Orientation
Week 2: Reading Research
Week 3: Language and Reading Development
Week 4: Literate Environments
Week 5: Building Foundations with Literary and Informational Texts
Week 6: The Reading and Writing Connection
Week 7: Professional Learning, Professional Reflection and Collaboration
Prerequisites
This is an intermediate level course for teachers, literacy coaches, curriculum specialists, professional development specialists, or other school personnel. Participants are expected to have regular access to computers with Internet access. In addition, participants should be proficient with browsing the Internet, uploading and downloading content, navigating to computer files, and with using word processing software, email, and attachments.
Required Materials
All materials in this course are the property of the South Carolina Department of Education Office of VirtualSC PD. All course materials needed/required for the workshop are available online.