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   Division of Continuing Studies 

Contacts

Dr. Eileen Council / ecouncil@uarts.edu / 215.717.6432
Program Director

Description

The purpose for literacy instruction is to help students communicate meaningfully. The skills taught are those needed for successful reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Vehicles for such instruction can and should vary greatly as not all approaches or materials appeal to all students. Thus, teaching literary skills through multiple art forms provides both teachers and students with vast opportunities to explore communication in the traditional sense, as well as in creative ways. Virtually all forms of art, ranging from photography to dance, music to sculpture, allow young learners to touch their audience and inspire response. Those responses and how they are articulated provide endless teachable moments for instruction in reading that students will develop while learning to read, write, speak, and listen.

This certificate is for in-service teachers. Courses within this certificate may also fulfill requirements of the Literacy concentration in the MEd in Educational Program Design program.

Program Objectives

Students will:

• Understand that the five foundational communication skill areas of Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening and Language must be taught in a balanced manner.
• Understand that Reading instruction must include guided and independent reading and the differences therein.
• Understand that Writing instruction best occurs in a writing workshop structure and the steps needed to create to create that learning atmosphere.
• Understand that Speaking and Listening are skills that can be taught in all facets of the curriculum.
• Understand that Language learning occurs in both authentic learning contexts and through contrived word study.
• Understand that literacy instruction needs to be differentiated to meet the needs of a variety of ability and learning styles.
  Understand that the use of formative and summative instruction should guide instruction.

Program Requirements (15 Credits)