KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY
Department of Elementary Education
ELU 452 Current Trends in Reading Instruction
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will examine current reading programs and major developments in the teaching of
reading. Students will analyze programs, approaches, and instructional methods in view of
the current research regarding the effective teaching of reading. In addition, students will take
part in discussions concerning the selected topics. Specific topics will vary from semester to
semester, as changes occur in topics addressed in current professional journals.
PREREQUISITES: ELU 201. 3 s.h. 3 c.h.
OBJECTIVES
As a result of study and activities in this course, students will be able to:
1.
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describe current trends in beginning reading instruction
respond verbally and/or in writing to various reading programs that are currently on the
market
respond verbally and/or in writing to instructional procedures and strategies that are
addressed in professional journals
recognize the importance of a balanced reading program
recognize reading materials which reflect the cultural diversity of our society
analyze instructional strategies in regard to addressing the needs of culturally different
and at-risk students
identify specific reading programs which reflect the cultural diversity of our society
and promote better understanding of the diverse nature of United States classrooms
evaluate computer software and internet sites related to reading instruction
describe the effects of current trends in reading upon the behavior and attitudes of
students ,teachers, and parents
ASSESSMENT
Using objective test questions, rating scales and rubrics, students will be assessed at
the translation, application, and analysis levels.
COURSE OUTLINE
I.
Review of ELU 201 major concepts
A.
Emergent literacy
B.
Reading as an interactive/transactive process
C.
Communication and the reading, writing, speaking, listening, thinking connection
D.
Balancing direct skill instruction and opportunities for reading authentic
literature
E.
Culturally responsive pedagogy
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II.
Changing views of literacy and literacy learning: A historical perspective
A.
Behaviorist and Gestalt views
B.
Current perspectives as addressed in professional journals
III.
Using multimedia to enhance reading instruction
A.
Teaching with the internet
B.
Computer software
IV.
Additional content, addressed through self-selected research, as well as reading,
analysis and discussion of current educational literature, may include topics such as:
A.
Middle level school literacy instruction
1.
Promoting critical thinking
2.
Enhancing comprehension through self-questioning
3.
Utilizing structures that enhance class discussions
4.
Improving comprehension of good readers
B.
Assured Readiness for Learning (ARL)
C.
Reading and writing workshops
D.
Literature response journals
E.
Visual literacy
F.
Supporting ESL students in content classes
G.
Aligning objectives, instruction, and assessment
H.
Reading conferences
I.
Language arts portfolio assessment
J.
Programs for at-risk students
1. Reading Recovery
2. Accelerated Reader
K.
Reading instruction in inclusion classes
L.
Organizational structures
1. peer and cross-age tutoring
2. non-graded reading organization
M.
Adult literacy
N.
A literature approach to character education
O.
Family literacy
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Instructional Resources
Cooper, D. J. (2000). Literacy: Helping Children Construct Meaning. 4th ed. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin.
Cox, C, & Boyd-Batstone, P. (1997). Crossroads: Literature and Languages in Culturally
and Linguistically Diverse Classrooms. New Jersey: Prentice.
De Gaetano, Y., Leslie R. Williams, L.R. & Volk, D. (1998). Kaleidoscope: A Multicultural
Approach for the Primary School Classroom. New Jersey: Prentice.
Grant H. D. (2000). Communication in Action: Teaching Literature-Based Language Arts.
7th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Journal Articles
Alfaro, R. (March 1999). "The Technology-Reading Connection." Educational Leadership,
56:6, 48-50.
Baker, K. (November 1998). "Structured English Immersion: Breakthrough in
Teaching Limited-English-Proficient Students." Kappan. 80:3. 199-204.
Baumann, J. F., Hooten, H., & White, P. (September 1999). "Teaching Comprehension
Through Literature: A Teacher-Research Project to Develop Fifth Graders'
Reading Strategies and Motivation." The Reading Teacher 53:1, 38-51.
Brice, Al. & Roseberry-McKibbin, C. (April 1999). "Turning Frustration into Success
for English Language Learners." Educational Leadership , 56:7, 53-55.
Cocks, Patricia, & Higgins, N. C. (1999). "The Effects of Animation Cues on
Vocabulary Development." Reading Psychology , 20:1,1-10.
Cullinan, B. (April 1998). "Poetry Workshop: Capture Kids, Passion with Poetry."
Instructor . 107:7. 21-22.
Cunningham, J.W. & Wall, L. K. (March 1994). "Teaching Good Readers to
Comprehend Better." Journal of Reading. 37:6, 480-86.
Diller, M. (December/January 1993/94). "Using Hypermedia to Enhance Content Area
Instruction." Journal of Reading. 37:7, 260-70.
Duffy, G. G., & Hoffman, J.V. (September 1999). "In Pursuit of an Illusion: The Flawed
Search for the Perfect Method." The Reading Teacher. 53:1. 10-16.
Ervin, R. (November 1998). "Assessing Early Reading Achievement: The Road to Results."
Kappan . 80:3, 226-28.
Gaskins, I.W., Satlow, E.; Hyson, D.; Ostertag, J. & Six, L. (April 1994). "Classroom Talk
About Text: Learning in Science Class." Journal of Reading. 37:7, 558-65.
Gersten, R. (April 1999). 'The Changing Face of Bilingual Education." Educational
Leadership. 56:7, 41-45.
Glasgow, J.N. (March 1994). "Teaching Visual Literacy for the 21st Century." Journal of
Reading . 37:6, 494-99.
Handel, R.D. (April 1995). "Family Reading at the Middle School", Journal of
Reading. 38.7. 528-39.
Johnson, D. (September 1999). "Electronic Collaboration: Children's Literature in the
Classroom." The Reading Teacher. 53.1, 54-60.
Johnson, F. R. (September 1999). "The Timing and Teaching of Word Families." The
Reading Teacher. 53:1. 64-75.
Kletzien, S. B. & Baloche, L. (April 1994). "The Shifting Muffled Sound of the Pick:
Facilitating Student-to-Student Discussion." Journal of Reading. 37:7, 540-44.
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McDonald, J. (September 1999). "Graphs and Prediction: Helping Children Connect
Mathematics and Literature." The Reading Teacher. 53:1, 25-29.
Menke, D.J. & Pressley, M. (May 1994). "Elaborative Interrogation: Using Why?
Questions to Enhance the Learning from Text." Journal of Reading. 37:8, 64245.
Metzger, M. (November 1998). "Teaching Reading: Beyond the Plot". Kappan. 80:3.
240.
Moss, B. (February 1995). "Using Children's Nonfiction Trade books as Read-Alouds".
Language Arts. 72:2, 22-26.
Rinehart, S. D. (1999). "Don't Think for a Minute That I'm Getting Up There:
Opportunities for Readers' Theater in a Tutorial for Children with Reading Problems."
Reading Psychology. 20:1, 7179.
Rothstein-Fisch, C, Greenfield, P. M. & Trumbull, E. (April 1999). "Bridging Cultures with
Classroom Strategies." Educational Leadership. 56:7. 64-67.
Smith, L.J. & Smith, D. L. (April 1994). "The Discussion Process: A Simulation." Journal
of Reading. 37:7, 582-85.
Sydney-Smith, S. (March 1999). "Reforming the Kindergarten Round-Up." Educational
Leadership. 56:6, 39-44.
Thomas, W. P. & Collier, V. P. (April 1999). "Accelerated Schooling for English
Language Learners." Educational Leadership. 56:7, 46-49.
Zemelman, S., Daniels, H. & Bizar, M. (March 1999). "Sixty Years of Reading
Research- But Who's Listening?" Kappan. 80:7. 513-517.
Additional Resources
Effective Literacy Instruction. K-8. 4th ed. Videocassette. Donald J. Leu and Charles K.
Kinzer. Merrill Education, Prentice Hall, 1999.
Book Adventure: http://www.bookadventure.com/
Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy Online
http ://readingonline.org/electronic/jaal/JAALindex. html
Reading Online: http://readingonline.org
Searchopolis: hpp:llwww searchopolis com/
Revised 8/2005
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