BAST 355 - Reading Methods

5 credits

Prerequisites
Admission to the BAST program.

This course is designed to extend candidates’ understanding of the processes, purposes, and practical aspects of teaching reading. Topics will include: reading and writing as developmental processes; the interrelationships of reading, writing, listening and speaking as well as the role of metacognition; the interrelationship between first and second language and literacy acquisition; constructing meaning from a variety of culturally relevant literary and expository texts; selecting reading assessment tools to match instructional purposes; understanding the variability in reading levels among children in the same grade and within a child across the essential components of reading; and instructional interventions for individuals and flexible groups. Emphasis will be placed on developing strategy lessons that encompass the major components of reading (awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension) to use with students. Candidates will apply learning by developing lesson plans and curriculum units that align instruction and assessment with learning goals, identify a range of developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate instructional strategies, and incorporate methods that elicit student voice (including reflection related to learning targets, metacognitive strategies, and effective use of resources). This course will include opportunities to reflect on practicum observation.

Theory Hours
5 theory hours.

Course Outcomes

Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical foundations and fundamentals of relational reading, writing, speaking, and listening
Recall and explain the fundamental components of reading processes and literacy, including meta-cognition
Understand and explain research-based reading strategies to enhance the teaching of vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency

Note
BAST degree course.