Donald R. Watson School of Education

Education 594 - Seminar: Emergent Literacy

Spring, 1998

SYLLABUS

Course Description

Inquiry into the kinds and variety of difficulties that some children have in learning to read. Explores various theories that offer explanation for early reading difficulties, including Vygotskian notions and the work of Marie Clay. 2 credit hours.

Program requirement

This course satisfies the seminar requirement of the graduate reading program at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. It also serves as a required course for candidates for teacher leader certification in Reading Recovery.

Activities

Participants will meet for two-hour weekly discussion sessions. In addition to assigned readings, each participant will select a topic for which she or he will develop a bibliography and select an article for all participants to read. Topics will be presented during class sessions throughout the semester. Students will also complete an analysis of a child who has had great difficulty learning to read.

Evaluation

Participation in class discussions

Bibliography on selected topic

Class presentations

Individual projects

Texts:

Wood, D. (1988.). How children think and learn. New York: Basil Blackwell.

Clay, M. (1991.). Becoming literate: The construction of inner control. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Instructor - Dr. Noel Jones

Class meetings - King Hall 208 - Thursday 6:30 - 8:20 p.m.

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