Description
In elementary schools, there must be knowledgeable teachers who know the major theories of literacy development and recognize how those theories influence their teaching. Through this professional development course, classroom teachers will gain practical knowledge for improving all students’ reading development and achievement. Teachers will explore their personal theory of how students gain literacy proficiency as well as closely examining other theoretical perspectives to empower educators to make complex instructional decisions that connect theory, practices, and student achievement. Teachers will have an opportunity to develop shared beliefs and align those beliefs with research-based 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 student’s diverse needs.
Course Outline
Week 1: Student Orientation
Week 2: Major Theories of Reading and Writing
Week 3: Language and Reading Development
Week 4: Learning Environments
Week 5: Reading Process and Text Variety
Week 6: Motivation, Engagement, Parent Involvement
Week 7: Professional Learning
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.