Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, candidates will be able to do the following:
- Choose literacy practices that demonstrate knowledge of psychological, social, cultural, and linguistic foundations of reading and writing processes and instruction.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the major components of reading (phonemic awareness, word identification and phonics, vocabulary and background knowledge, fluency, comprehension strategies, and motivation) and how they are integrated into fluent reading.
- Use their knowledge of the writing processes, language development, writing development, and ongoing assessment to provide instruction in the components of writing, assist students in constructing meaning in their written work, and provide genuine opportunities for students to write for a variety of purposes and audiences.
- Demonstrate knowledge of language development and literacy acquisition, and the variations related to culture and linguistic diversity.
- Select and use a wide range of instructional practices, approaches, methods, and curriculum materials, including technology-based practices, to support reading and writing instruction for learners at different stages of reading and writing development, as well as those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
- Select and use a variety of assessment tools and practices to plan and evaluate effective reading and writing instruction that meet the needs of all students, including those at differing developmental stages and those from differing cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
- Create a caring, supportive, inclusive, challenging, democratic, and safe learning environment that fosters literacy development, independently and collaboratively, by integrating foundational knowledge, use of instructional practices, approaches and methods, curriculum materials, and the appropriate use of assessments.
- Demonstrate valuation of the role of student language, particularly student talk, in student learning, and establish an appreciation of student culture/language background as a foundation for future learning and engagement in learning.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the new literacies (i.e., digital, visual, and media literacy) and their impact on literacy acquisition and instruction.
- Demonstrate an understanding of and respect for the role language and literacy play within various disciplines (social studies, science, mathematics, foreign language, etc.).
- Demonstrate multiple comprehension strategies appropriate within particular disciplines for development of active literacy users within the subject area.
- Create ways to engage students, teachers, parents, and other adults from the community to enrich instruction.
- Observe, document, and analyze components of a school-wide literacy program and share results with school personnel.
- Participate in, initiate, implement, and evaluate professional development programs.
- Participate in instructional coaching activities.
- Contribute actively to the improvement of teaching and learning and to the advancement of knowledge and professional practice.