I. Course Title: Methods for English Instruction Grades 6-12 (WI)
II. Course Number: EDUC 456
III. Credit Hours: 3 credits
IV. Prerequisites: Admission into the Teacher Education Program for licensure in middle
school or secondary English Language Arts teaching.
Corequisites: EDUC 446
V. Course Description:
This course is designed to help teacher candidates become inquiring, analytical, and reflective middle/secondary English educators. It provides a foundation for instructional design and teaching methods at the middle school and high school levels. Course activities are designed to prepare candidates for the variety of skill and the breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding needed as an effective English teacher in their field experiences.
VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:
EDUC456 is taught primarily through discussion, case studies, practical applications, writing activities, and readings. Additionally, it is taught in conjunction with an internship in an adolescent-level environment. Candidates will be working with their supervising professor to develop lesson plans specific to their internship assignment, discussing issues related to their content area, and exploring issues that might arise while student teaching. They will examine the theories and research relevant to teaching in grades 6-12. Participation in this course will help candidates design and successfully implement developmentally appropriate English instruction, including instructional strategies, unit and lesson planning, and classroom management, and prepare them to be skillful teachers of English Language Arts content in middle/high school settings.
VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:
The course format includes large and small group discussion, individual and group presentations, journal article and textbook reading, demonstration lessons, simulations, and practical applications. Because the course is taught as a co-requisite with EDUC446, students will also develop, implement, and evaluate a multi-day, sequential instructional plan specifically for their early field experience placement.
VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:
Goals, objectives, and assignments address the Virginia Department of Education regulations for preparing middle/secondary (grades 6-12) English educators. Candidates successfully completing this course will be able to demonstrate developing knowledge, skills, and dispositions of the following:
Goal 1: Apply theories of learning and integration to English instruction and state and national standards
Goal 2: Plan evidence-based instruction and assessments to include differentiated instruction for diverse learners and select appropriate objectives, activities and teaching materials for English instruction.
Goal 3: Evaluate and experiment with multiple strategies and a range of content materials and texts, both traditional and alternative, in order to move toward the goal of reaching all students.
Goal 4: Recognize and support the unique needs and skills of the adolescent reader and writer.
Goal 5: Demonstrate understanding of research-based literacy strategies in developing instructional tasks, activities, and/or lessons.
Goal 6: Understand how to develop effective lessons, activities, and assessments.
Goal 7: Develop skills as reflective practitioners.
Goal 8: Build a repository of rigorous, meaningful teaching strategies and material for bringing ELA content to life for diverse learners.
Goal 9: Use multimodal composition and communication technologies to facilitate reflection and instruction.
Goal 10: Teach a range of lessons, reflecting on and using feedback for continued growth, inquiry, and pedagogical skill.
VIII. Assessment Measures:
A variety of assessments may include, but are not limited to:
Review and Approval
August 2020
March 01, 2021