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Week
Discussion Topic
Readings Due
Homework Due
Week 1
Module 1 – The Course Introduction orients students to course
requirements, course organization, and online navigation.
Online Attendance
Netiquette
Class Introductions
Week 2
Module 2 – Setting the Stage provides students with an overview of
current research related to early language and literacy
development, the foundation upon which the other modules build.
Text: NAEYC & IRA Position
Statement, pp. 1-19
Graded Assignment 2:
Graded Assignment 3:
Weeks 3-5
Module 3: Children's Communication & Language Development
Text: Language Dev. Pp. 48-55
& Building Knowledge and
Comprehension pp. 56-63
English Lang. Learners
Dialogic Reading
Fostering Second Lang Dev.
Graded Assignment 4
Graded Assignment 5
Graded Assignment 6
Graded Assignment 7
Weeks 6-8
Module 4: Books and Print Awareness focuses on concepts of print
and instilling Knowledge and love of books in young children. It
provides students with strategies to engage children with books and
reading.
Text:
The Power and Pleasure
of Literacy, pp. 28–47 &
Concepts in Print, pp. 64-79
Reading Aloud with Children of
All Ages
Books in the Sand? Markers in
the Blocks?
Literacy Rich Environment
Examples
Graded Assignment 8
Graded Assignment 9
Graded Assignment 10
Graded Assignment 11
Weeks 9-11
Module 5: Children’s Writing includes the development of writing
(from scribbles to conventional writing) and strategies on how to
embed writing opportunities into daily routines and classroom
curriculum.
Text: Letters and Words, pp. 88-
95
Literacy for all Children
Scribbles, Labels, and Stories
Transition to Writing
Writing: Empowering Literacy
Dictation
Graded Assignment 12
Graded Assignment 13
Graded Assignment 14
Weeks 12-14 Module 6: Learning the Code: Phonological Awareness and Letter
Knowledge centers on how to engage children in learning the
literacy code using a variety of meaningful and motivating learning
experiences and teaching strategies that promote children’s
phonological awareness and alphabet knowledge.
Text: Phonological
Development, pp. 80-87 &
Letters and Words, 88-95
Essentials of Early Lit.
The Alphabet Principle
Fostering Lang and Literacy
Promote, Plan and Play
Graded Assignment 15
Graded Assignment 16
Graded Assignment 17
Weeks 15-16 Module 7: Synthesis and Review reinforces using observation to
assess young children’s emergent literacy and provides students
with an opportunity to review and synthesize their learning from
the entire course.
Text: Informing Instruction in
Reading & Writing, pp. 103-110
& Making it Happen, pp. 111-
116
Assessment
Graded Assignment 18
Final Exam