Participants enrolled in this 3 credit-hour graduate course will examine effective ways to address the literacy needs of adolescent learners. The course begins with an overview of adolescent learners' characteristics and the stages of literacy development. The course then moves into an exploration of common base-line assessment techniques and the ways that assessment should inform and drive instruction. The key components to good upper level instruction include interactive comprehension engagement, dynamic vocabulary exploration and writing assignments that connect with content. These components of instruction are addressed for students with a range of instructional levels. Consideration is given to best-practices for struggling readers and English language learners. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to explore the role and value of technology as we consider the multiple literacies of the 21st century.
Required Text
Beers, K. (2003). When kids can’t read: What teachers can do. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Beers, K., Probst, R. E., & Rief, L. (2007). Adolescent literacy: Turning promise into practice. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
The Honor Code:The honor system is a recognized and integral part of the University of Virginia. The system acknowledges that a student's work as a member of the University can be accepted without question and that any violation of a student's word is an offense against the entire student body. Violation of the honor code may result in dismissal from University courses and programs. All submitted assignments must be pledged by the student. See a further description of the UVA Honor Code .
Here is what you will need for Reading@Curry Online Classes:
Browser recommendations:
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Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari are supported browsers for UVaCollab.
- Firefox 4 and Internet Explorer 9 are not yet supported browsers for UVaCollab.
- Firefox 4 users may need to disable all add-ons to overcome problems or revert to a previous version.
- Internet Explorer 9 users will need to revert back to Internet Explorer 8.
System requirements:
- Cookies and javascript must be enabled in your browser in order to log into and use features in UVaCollab.
- Browsers on some public computers may block pop-ups, thus preventing you from logging in to UVaCollab. Click on the pop-up notice link that appears in your browser and select the option to allow pop-ups from this site to continue.
Plug Ins for Browsers: Your course requires the Adobe Acrobat plug-in. You may download this plug-in at no extra cost by visiting the Adobe Acrobat website.
Printing Time: When downloading and printing articles from the website, users on a network typically have a minimal wait-time. When working from home, you will find that printing will take longer and, if you have an old printer, your wait-time may be excessive. You will experience the shortest wait-time when using a new computer and printer.
Student Requirements:
- UVA E-mail account. You will be assigned a UVA email account upon registration and payment of fees
- Internet Connection (High-speed internet works best.)
- Microsoft Office Word 96 or higher (All assignments and tests must be sent in this format.)
- Adobe Acrobat Reade
