CONT937: Reading and Literacy in the Middle Grades
Are you ready to delve into evidence-based literacy practices that will empower your students to progress significantly in their reading and writing skills? Have you ever wondered about how theoretical models of skilled reading can help shape your teaching approach? Join us as we uncover insights from research and explore effective literacy instruction in the middle years.
The middle grades mark a critical stage in students’ literacy development. They must develop the complex literacy, language, and thinking skills they will carry into high school and beyond. Teachers of Grades 4–8 want all students to grow their skills in ways that ensure success, inspiring confidence and competence.
In this course, you’ll explore evidence-based literacy instruction that supports your students in making gains with reading and writing development. You will explore the role of scientifically based reading instruction through theoretical models of skilled reading, focusing on vocabulary development, morphology and multisyllabic word reading; comprehension-building practices; academic conversations about text, motivation and engagement in literacy learning, and disciplinary and culturally informed literacy instruction. You will also investigate what the research has to say about writing instruction for students in the middle grades, including writing strategies, reading–writing connections, sentence building, writing for different purposes, and more.
Learning Outcomes
What You Will Learn and Do
In this course you’ll have the opportunity to
- discuss the role of scientific studies of reading and writing in informing the design and delivery of effective literacy instruction
- articulate contemporary theories, research, and practices informing literacy instruction
- identify current issues and challenges in literacy education for students in the middle grades
- participate in a professional community of practice with colleagues around and outside BC
- examine ways to enhance your literacy instruction and assessment practices inclusive of diverse learners
- engage as a discerning consumer of literacy research and evaluator of literacy practices and programs
Assessments
Module 1
Models of Reading
Module 2
Advanced Word Study and Fluent Reading
Progress Update 1
Module 3
Vocabulary Teaching and Learning
Module 4
Comprehension Instruction
Formative Assessment
Module 5
Developing Writers
Progress Update 2
Module 6
Disciplinary Literacy
Module 7
Literacy Website
Summative Assessment