Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University Department of Language, Reading, and Exceptionalities Summer Semester 2008 RE 5730-375 Reading and Writing for Intermediate and Advanced Learners (3 credits)

Class Meetings: Mon- Weds 4:30- 8PM Room 214 Duncan

Teacher: Ellen Pesko Office: 208A Edwin Duncan Hall Office Phone: (828) 262-7233 Home Phone: (336)-982-4966 e-mail: [email protected]

Office Hours: Mon, Tues, 2:30-4:30 PM and by appointment

“Teaching is not a neutral form of social practice.” ( Lewison, Flint & Van Sluys, 2002, p. 383)

Course Overview RE 5730 is an opportunity for you to think about what it means for students in grades 3-12 to learn from texts – traditional and electronic. We will explore how teachers can design reading, writing and discussion opportunities to support such learning. We will explore writing nonfiction, what it means to engage in inquiry, and how these pieces fit with learning in the content areas.

Course Goals  To work as members of a community of learners who care about and enjoy our collaboration

 To develop an understanding of text that reflects contemporary genres and formats

 To create thoughtful and motivating assignments and rubrics designed to support student learning from text

E. Pesko 1 RE5730 Summer 08  To begin building an understanding of reading and writing as related cognitive and social processes

 To begin building an understanding of discussion as a context for constructing meaning from text

 To begin building an understanding of the importance of vocabulary development and ways to support students in constructing vocabulary knowledge.

 To examine the research on comprehension instruction and relate it to classroom practice.

 To become aware of professional resources and organizations that support and inspire teachers

Course Expectations

I have high expectations for your performance in this class. In addition to being highly skilled and knowledgeable, an expert teacher exhibits a "professional disposition." This includes a strong work ethic, a commitment to professional principles, a strong intellectual curiosity, and a passion for their own, on-going learning. Preparation for class, the timely completion of assignments, attendance and punctuality, active participation during in-class activities and discussions, are early indicators of your professional disposition. Twenty percent of the final grade will include these factors.

Course Texts: Books Nancy Frey and Douglas Fisher (2007). Reading for Information in Elementary School. Pearson Education SBN: 0-13-170749-3

Janice Kristo and Rosemary Bamford (2004). Nonfiction in Focus. Mahwah, NJ: Scholastic Books Anderson , Laurie Halse (2000) Fever 1793. Simon & Schuster Avi (1996) The Fighting Ground. Scholastic Books Freedman, Russell (1988). Lincoln: A Photobiography. Murphy, Jim (2003). An American Plague. Scholastic Books Recommended: Harvey, Stephanie (1998) Nonfiction Matters: Reading, Writing and Research in Grades 3-8. Paratore, Jean & Indrisano, Learning to Write, Writing to Learn

COURSE ASSIGNMENT YOUR POINTS/

E. Pesko 2 RE5730 Summer 08 POSSIBLE POINTS A New Nation packet/ activities /20

Multitext Unit /100

Vocabulary Lesson Sequence (5) /20 Comprehension Lesson linked to NCSCOS (presented to groups) /20 Response Log /20 (responses to literature and to readings- mostly in-class) Attendance & Participation /60 (includes discussion leader) Inquiry Project /60 TOTAL /300

The readings are available online by going to the ASU libraries (http://www.library.appstate.edu/), click on "reserves" and then search by instructor.

E. Pesko 3 RE5730 Summer 08