Literacy
Instructor: Nora B. Shannon
E-mail:
nbsncp@rit.edu
Course Description:
This course is designed to familiarize students with the processes involved in learning English with a focus on reading and writing. The course concentrates on those aspects of English language and literacy development that pertain to teaching Deaf and/or Hard of Hearing students. Students investigate the process of reading and writing, patterns of performance observed in Deaf learners, and teaching strategies used with Deaf students in various content areas.
Course goals:
- To understand the development of English language and literacy skills in Deaf students
- To provide the knowledge and skills needed for teaching English language and literacy skills to Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.
Intended Learning Outcomes:
- To describe English language development in Deaf and Hard of Hearing students
- To identify key issues and characteristics pertaining to literacy (reading and writing) development in Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.
Activities and Evaluation:
- Discussion board activities
- Chat sessions
- Video conference
- Assignments uploaded to the dropbox or posted to discussion board
Each activity will receive feedback from the instructor.
Resources (additional required articles and websites will be made available throughout the term of the course)
Recommended texts:
Word Play: Building Vocabulary Across Texts and Disciplines, Grades 6-12 (2009) by Sandra R. Whitaker, Heinemann: Portsmouth, NH.
Subjects Matter: Every Teacher's Guide to Content- Area Reading (2004) by Harvey Daniels & Steven Zemelman, Heinemann: Portsmouth, NH.
Content-Area Writing: Every Teacher's Guide by Harvey Daniels, Steven Zemelman & Nancy Steinke
Course Topics:
Language and Literacyc
- Language and Literacy
- Language Acquisition Milestones
- Conditions for Language learning and Developing Literacy
- Academic Discourse Communities
Teaching Writing in the Content Areas
- Stages in the Writing Process
- Deaf Students' Attitudes Toward English
- Supporting the Writing Process in a Content Area
Grammar in English
- Deaf Students' English Grammar Errors
- Approaches to Teaching English Grammar
Reading
- How People Read (Information Processing)
- Models of Reading Instruction
- Content Area Reading
- Strategies for Enhancing Reading (F.L.I.P., 5 Basic Questions, K-W-L, QAR)
- 15 Principles for Reading to Deaf Children
Vocabulary
- Incidental vocabulary acquisition vs. direct instruction
- Sight vocabulary
- Strategies for teaching vocabulary