EDU 360 Literacy & Lit Emerg/Beg Rdrs

(Cross listed with SEE 360) This course is designed to prepare candidates to evaluate and develop children's literacy in early childhood education classrooms in accordance with standards for the English Language Arts established by New York State and other professional organizations. Emphasis is placed on identifying approaches to literacy and the ways in which various approaches foster the development of young students' phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and composition. Additional emphases include strategies for early diagnosis and interventions, evaluating developmentally appropriate children's literature, and fostering optimal learning environments for all learners. A variety of assessment methods, teaching strategies and materials will be critiqued and used in a effort to address the needs of heterogeneous learners including pupils with exceptional skills, pupils with disabilities, and pupils who are English Learners. Students must have fingerprinting clearance from the New York State Education Department to complete the required field experience. Field requirement: 15 hours literacy instruction in 1st grade for B-6 majors. Prerequisite: EPY 244. Fulfills writing-intensive requirement. Spring.