EDFI 525 Phonics and Foundation of Literacy
This course introduces students to the reading process, including the nature and acquisition of language; the relationship between language development and cognition; current and historical perspectives about reading instruction; the interrelationship among the language arts and the relation of prior knowledge, meaning and context to the reading process. Also included are the relationship of the phonemic, morphemic, semantic and syntactic systems of language to the reading process; various word recognition, vocabulary and comprehension strategies used by fluent readers; techniques to create literature environments and support emergent literacy; phonetic principles; oral and written grammar and dialects and language patterns. Students will recognize that developmentally appropriate practice includes the importance of embedding reading instruction in a meaningful context for the purpose of accomplishing specific, authentic tasks or for pleasure; the value of reading aloud to learners and the importance of teaching reading as a process rather than a discreet series of skills to be taught through unrelated activities/exercises. Students will become aware of materials and technology available to teach reading, including basal readers, children's literature, instructional materials used to teach phonics and innovative reading-related software. The state and national standards will be introduced with a focus upon the reading sections.
Credits
3