Syllabus

SYLLABUS



Digital Copy of the Textbook

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More detailed information about each assignment will be available on Sakai. ||
 * ** Assignments & Grading **
 * ** Weekly Attendance, Preparation & Active Participation: ** Your participation and attendance are necessary for you and your classmates to get the most out of this course. You are expected to **//attend every class//** session having completed all required readings. I do understand, however, that extenuating circumstances might result in an absence. If you miss class, use the university absence reporting website [] to indicate the date and reason for your absence. An email is automatically sent to me.Missing class time will result in lost points. For example, you will not earn full credit if you arrive late/leave early regularly, miss classes, or if you do not actively participate.

In-class activities that I use to inform my planning count toward your participation grade. Activities related to readings will take the form of written reflections, article discussion group work, participation in //Thinkfinity// discussions, station activities, etc. At times materials prepared outside of class will also contribute to this portion of your grade. || 20%  ||
 * ** Book Talk: ** You will read an award-winning text appropriate for use in grades 3 through 8 and present a book talk. The book should be new to you and published since 2004 (unless special arrangements have been made). Examples of awards include the Newbery Medal, Pura Belpré Award, and Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal. (Other book awards can also be considered.) You will sign up to present a short (approximately 5 minute) book talk in class. **//Post the title and other required information on our wiki site by the end of week 3, September 21. Presentations will begin week 5, October 5.//** Sign-ups will be conducted through the wikispace. || 10%

Book Talk Date: __ ||
 * **Cross-content Literacy Investigation**** Paper & Discussion **** : ** The classrooms you will be visiting during the course of the semester will bring relevant practical learning opportunities to our course. We can identify both problems of practice, as well as highlighting success in our classrooms . As reflective teachers, you will actively connect your professional reading to what you see and do in the classroom. For this paper, you will write a detailed description of observed literacy learning/teaching, describe/explain your reaction, and connect to research/professional texts to support your analysis. For example, if you observe effective instruction, you could link to articles that help you to more deeply understand the rationale for the observed practice. If what you observe does not seem effective, you will link to research that suggests how you might do things differently. Once you have finished your paper you will share what you learned with a small group during a Roundtable Discussion//.// Note: In addition to course readings, you will cite at least two peer-reviewed articles located/read for this assignment (readings not required for GSE courses). || 20%

Draft Due Date: 10/12   (Round Table:    10/12)

Final Due: 10/19 || Templates, directions, rubrics, etc. will be provided during the course of the semester via class as well as under “assignments” on our class wikispace. See the //sakai.rutgers.edu// website for more information. ||
 * ** Early Phase Unit Plan – ** The Early Phase Unit Plan is a requirement for your portfolio and will be submitted to the Sakai Teacher Portfolio. You will complete and upload a unit plan in your area of expertise.

Due Date:

Dec. 7, 2012 ||
 * ** Professional Discussion Group & Workshop Presentation: ** You will participate in a professional discussion group (PDG) during the second half of the semester. This will include selecting a professional text to study (from titles introduced in class). Groups will be formed based on interest and you will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue and activities centered on the pedagogical and theoretical presentations of literacy instruction offered in the multiple texts. Upon completion of the experience, you will be asked to conduct a mini-workshop (no longer than 30 minutes). Recommended texts for your PDG groups will be posted on our wikispace and introduced in class. || 20%

PDG Workshop Date:

11/30

Or

12/7 ||