This course examines specific methods for identifying learning styles and how to design activities and instructional approaches to accommodate each style. Designed for all grade level teachers.

This course explores quality adolescent literature for modeling the reading and writing of varied genres, including fiction and nonfiction. Research-based vocabulary and comprehension strategies, selecting quality literature, and engaging students through writing in response to literature will be emphasized. This course is designed to help the middle level educator expand his/her cultural horizons and be able to discuss the cultural themes of literature with their students. The course will cover the characteristics of many diverse cultures including African, African American, Asian, Bosnian, Latino, Native American, and Middle Eastern.

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. This course will offer concrete intervention strategies for both teachers and parents to stop this cycle that leads to so many serious problems in society today.

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. An emphasis will be placed on in-depth understanding of assessment materials, how to evaluate the results, how to use the results for instructional purposes, and strategies for literacy leaders to use to communicate with all stakeholders about assessment data.

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.

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. Specific focus will be on designing and delivering effective instruction across the curriculum and for selecting materials appropriate for learners at various stages of reading and writing development including varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

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.

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 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.

A course, on a special topic in the discipline at the post-baccalaureate or master degree level, offered on the basis of need, interest, or time lines. May be repeated for credit. See registrars office current class schedules Web page for specific semester description.