Course Guide

Course Description

Foundations of Literacy: Beginning Reading explores the components of early reading defined by the National Reading Panel and the International Reading Association. Students will build a knowledge base for each component and then apply that knowledge within a classroom setting. Several modules will include brief discussions on compatible informal assessments. Students will construct a portfolio of teaching strategies for each component. At the end of the course, students will construct a final capstone lesson plan which will incorporate each early reading component for use in the classroom.

Please Note:  Some of the assignments in this course require you to have student readers available for instruction.  If you are not currently teaching a class, arrange to have at least two beginning readers available.  

Course Calendar

The course, which consists of eight modules, is eight weeks long. The initial posts for each module are due on Saturday of each week. All other assignments and replies are due Monday.

Because participants from many different time zones may be taking this course, items should be posted/submitted by midnight (U.S. Eastern Time) on the day they are due. Your facilitator will post specific due dates for this course in the Calendar.

Required Textbook (free download)

International Reading Association. (2002). Evidence-based reading instruction: Putting the National Reading Panel Report into practice. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.