Demonstration of leadership in effective PK-12 literacy instruction, mentoring, coaching, and staff development is the primary focus of this course. Students will use research and theory to explore literacy models, social and political aspects of literacy, language variation, and the cultural and community influences on language acquisition and learning. Leadership in developing, promoting, and assessing teacher professional development, family and community literacy programs, and effective professional learning communities will be promoted throughout the course.

Teaching at pre-kindergarten or kindergarten level integrating prior early childhood coursework through the preparation and delivery of developmentally appropriate instruction in a child-centered environment. Capstone experience. Prerequisite: passing Praxix II score. May be repeated for credit.

Students will read, discuss, compare, and evaluate a variety of childrens and adolescents literature from the cannons to the current. Through a sociocultural perspective, students will use a critical lens to evaluate books, materials, and other teaching resources. Specific funds of knowledge that students bring to the classroom and how to effectively design and deliver classroom literacy experiences based on these funds of knowledge will be explored.

Students will intern in a field experience in grade one, two, or three integrating prior early childhood coursework through the preparation of interdisciplinary units designed and delivered within an environment of children in grade 1-3. Field experience reflections addressing the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards will be compiled into a field experience portfolio. Restricted to students admitted to the early childhood endorsement/licensure program. May be repeated for credit.

Students will intern in a field experience with kindergarten children integrating prior early childhood coursework through the preparation of interdisciplinary units designed and delivered in a kindergarten environment. Field experience reflections addressing the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards will be compiled into a field experience portfolio. Restricted to students admitted to the early childhood endorsement/licensure program. May be repeated for credit.

Students will intern in a field experience at birth through 36 months integrating prior early childhood coursework through the preparation of interdisciplinary units designed and delivered in a birth through 36 months environment. Restricted to students admitted to the early childhood endorsement/licensure program.

This course focuses on the development of effective reading strategies and skills in content areas for K-12 students. Text structure and the dimensions of content area vocabulary and comprehension, including literal, interpretive, critical, and evaluative are studied. A variety of research-based strategies and practices for effective instruction in reading and writing are reviewed and studied.

This course focuses on the knowledge of oral language development and the knowledge of the unique needs and backgrounds of students with language differences and delays. Effective research-based strategies and instructional technology for faciliating the learning of Standard English by all learners, including English Language Learners, will be covered.

The focus of this course will be the development of an understanding of assessment materials that may be used to monitor students progress in reading skills and concepts. The literacy leader will learn options for assessment that are appropriate for the age, background, and needs of the child. This course will also center around the use of research and best practice as it applies to assessment and instruction.

The problem of bullies and victims is a universal problem in our schools. Often it is ignored with disastrous results. Many of the school shootings can be traced directly to this problem. Recent research of the problem shows that teachers and administrators ignore this problem. The same research also shows profile of children predisposed to be bullies and victims. Among children predisposed are children who witness aggressive behavior in the home and children who come from schools who do not take bullying seriously.