EDU 535: STRAT INST W/IN BAL LIT CURRIC II

The goal of this course is to help MAT candidates learn to match assessment to instruction and to use assessment data to organize flexible reading groups for PK-8 students. Candidates will develop a deeper understanding of how to use formal and informal assessments that measure a variety of literacy skills from emerging concepts of print and alphabet knowledge to word recognition, decoding, oral reading fluency, and comprehension. become familiar with the developmental stages through which all children progress as they learn to read and write, to learn to implement flexible and responsive strategies for helping all students make progress in literacy, and to learn how to effectively evaluate existing reading programs and recognize reading programs that are research-based, balanced (comprehensive) and based on best practice. The course activities focus especially on those students who are reading below grade level. MAT candidates will be introduced to powerful reading strategies that can be used with a large group, with a small group, or with individual students. Course topics include concepts of print, phonological & phonemic awareness, word identification, and response to literature, comprehension and vocabulary. Additionally, candidates will be introduced to formal and informal assessment options. Prerequisite: Full Admission to the MAT Program.