Meeting Pattern

Description

This course will focus on grades K–3 and 4–12 reading instruction and an introduction to reading assessment. As part of these two key areas of reading instruction, the five elements of effective reading instruction for grades K–3 will be highlighted, including definitions, implications for instruction, and future directions. These five elements include instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension. Additionally, the five elements of effective reading instruction for grades 4–12 will be highlighted, including definitions, implications for instruction, and future directions. These five elements include instruction in word study, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and motivation. The course will also provide information on important assessment terms and definitions and will explore how reading assessment fits within federally mandated programs. This analysis includes specific recommendations for understanding student reading needs using screening, diagnostic, and progress monitoring assessments. Finally, the course describes how teachers can conduct and use pivotal curriculum-based measurement (CBM) procedures in their classrooms.

This computer-based instruction course is a self-supporting program that provides instruction, structured practice, and evaluation all on your home or school computer. Technical support information can be found in the Help section of your course.

Note: It is recommended that the Reading Fundamentals courses be taken sequentially; however, it is not mandatory that all three courses be taken.

Syllabus, Objectives, and Outcomes

Objectives:

As a result of this course, participants will demonstrate their ability to:

• Describe learning to read and reading to learn.
• Discuss important aspects of phonemic awareness instruction.
• Identify important aspects of phonics instruction.
• Describe important aspects of fluency instruction.
• Note important aspects of vocabulary instruction.
• Discuss important aspects of text comprehension.
• Describe various aspects of teacher preparation and education in comprehension strategy instruction and reading instruction.
• Describe the major activities related to content-area reading instruction.
• Note how computer technology can be used in reading instruction.
• Explain the purpose and anchor and reading standards of the Common Core State Standards in English language arts.
• Provide details on the Consumer’s Guide to Evaluating a Core Reading Program by Simmons and Kame’enui (2003) and the Planning and Evaluation Tool for Effective Schoolwide Reading Programs by Kame’enui and Simmons (2000).
• Provide details on the Rubric for Evaluating Reading/Language Arts Instructional Materials for Kindergarten to Grade 5 by Foorman, Smith, and Kosanovich (2017).
• Outline the goals and approaches of RTI and MTSS, in general and with regard to reading remediation.
• Describe accomplishments that can be expected for students in grades K–3.
• Discuss important aspects of adolescent literacy instruction and assessment (grades 4–12).
• Discuss important aspects of word study and motivation.
• Describe reading remediation guidelines and interventions for students in grades K–12.
• Describe how to incorporate tutoring as an effective reading intervention.
• Define important assessment terms.
• Discuss technical quality, test interpretation, and assessment purposes.
• Note how assessment fits within federally mandated programs.
• Apply response to intervention (RTI) systems/multitier system of supports (MTSS) approaches to understand student reading needs, including screening, diagnosing where to focus instruction, and monitoring student reading progress.
• Discuss important ways of linking assessment with instruction.
• Detail the use of data-based decision-making in classroom settings, with particular focus on various types of curriculum-based measurement procedures.

Course Materials (Online):

Title: Reading Fundamentals #3: The Elements of Effective Reading Instruction & Assessment, Dr. Karen Lea/Mick Jackson

Review Syllabus: Reading_Fundamentals__3_Karen_Lea_VESi.pdf - COURSE MUST BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED BY AUGUST 15th, 2025.