(EDR 628) Curriculum and Materials for Language Arts
Syllabus of Record
Course Description: Course examines underlying theories, content standards, and
instructional programs for the integration of the language arts. It will explore the
relationship between the language arts, assessment and evaluation, and the relationship to
professional development. Three credits.
Unit Mission, Philosophy, Values:
Our Mission:
“Teaching, Leading and Learning in a Democratic Society”
The College of Education prepares candidates who enhance the individual growth of their
students while working to establish policies and practices that promote the principles of
democratic education. The College articulates this mission as Teaching, Leading, and
Learning in a Democratic Society.
Philosophy:
Student Potential, Ethical Implications
Believing that schools function as social and political entities as well as for the growth of
individuals, the College of Education prepares teachers and leaders
a) to enhance the academic and personal potential of their students
b) to evaluate the social and ethical implications of educational policies and practices.
Values:
“Expertise, Equity, Liberal Education, Social Responsibility”
The College of Education values expertise to guide our practice, equity to guide our
interactions, liberal education to guide our perspectives, and social responsibility to guide
our commitment to democratic education. We value these ideals in our preparation of
candidates, our development of faculty, and our relationships with the larger community we
serve.
Unit and Program Standards:
Common Unit Standards: Michigan Department of Education (MDE), National Council for the
Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Standards for Advanced Programs Preparing Teachers: National Board for Professional
Teaching Standards (NBPTS); Council for the Social Foundations of Education (CSFE);
College of Education Research Standards.
Specialty Program Standards: International Reading Association (IRA)
Course Standards and Assessments:
Course Standards: Course Standards: National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards, Proposition #5 Teachers are Members of Learning Communities
 Contribute to school effectiveness by collaborating with other professionals
 Work collaboratively with parents
 Take advantage of community resources
Common Assessment: Curriculum Project
Major Topics:
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Language arts integration
Curriculum theory and research as it pertains to the language arts
State and national language arts standards
Diversity issues and how curriculum can meet the needs of diverse populations
Gender issues
Addressing the needs of multiple ability levels
Technology integration into the language arts
Course Knowledge Base:
Stephen and Susan Tchudi, Language Arts Curriculum Handbook
Jeffery Wilhelm, Reading Don’t Fix No Chevys
Lev Vygotsky, Mind and Society
Constance Weaver, Integrating Grammar
Mihaly Cziksentmihaly, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Success
Fran Claggett, A Measure of Success
Elaine Garan, Resisting Mandates
NCTE/IRA, National Language Arts Curriculum Standards
Shirley Brice Heath, Ways with Words
Patrick Finn, Literacy with Attitude
Alfred Tatum, Teaching Literacy to Adolescent African American Males
Note: The course knowledge base addresses issues of assessment, technology, special
education, and diversity through both online and face to face class discussion, special
presentations, course readings, and course projects. Students in the class demonstrate
their growing knowledge of these issues through those classroom opportunities.