District 196 Community Education

Beginning Reading Instruction DGC-BRI-004 1.5 quarter credit through District 196 or a 1 semester credit co-sponsored by Concordia University and District 196 Students will build a professional knowledge base based on level 3 seminal research and the National Reading Panel Report. This course addresses the components of effective reading instruction specific to phonemic awareness and phonics. Students will gain a historical perspective on the history of reading instruction while also diving deep into phonemic awareness and phonics and the research around these topics. Students will learn about the complexity of rhyming, blending, segmenting and manipulating phonemes helps beginning readers, the 44 phonemes that make up the English language in addition to ways to help reach beginning and struggling reading grades K-12. This class focuses on (4) key outcomes: 1) We will explore the “why” behind beginning reading instruction by examining current research across a variety of contexts and approaches. 2) We will also focus on the “how” via research based activities and by designing and implementing different classroom strategies and a final learning project that will have you creating an action research project driven by student data. 3) We will develop our skills and confidence in beginning reading research, skills and instructional strategies so that we can feel comfortable in teaching the skills necessary to better facilitate a literacy learning experience for students. 4) We will develop our skills and understanding of the process of acquiring the necessary skills to be a reader. Coursework can be completed at your own pace between May 6-June 26. * District graduate quarter credits can be used for movement on the salary schedule but generally will not transfer from district to district. If you decide to drop the course, you must do so by May5th for a refund. For an additional $175.00 fee an individual may obtain 1 semester graduate credit from Concordia University. Tuition is due and payable in full by the first class session. Course approval forms need to be completed. Courses may be used for renewal units. ** Individuals at MA+60 may audit any courses for $28.15 per quarter credit. Individuals “auditing” classes are expected to complete class assignments.