EDEE 640
Language
Arts for the Elementary School Teacher
Assignments Fall 2007
3 Credit Hours
Assignments Fall 2007
3 Credit Hours
A. Independent Study:
Included in this aspect of each week's work are the following activities:
1. Read the appropriate textbook chapters for the week's topic. These are required readings, which constitute the minimum amount for all students. The three Proficiency tests will include these basic readings.
2. Read selected readings on e-reserve.
B. Class Assignments:
1. Language Development Theorist Presentation
In groups students will research each of the major theorists with regard to language development. Each group will produce (1) a short paper outlining the major points that the theorist made regarding language development. They will also produce (2) media and (3) class handouts. Theorists to be included are Piaget, Vygotsky, Bruner, Halliday, Heath, Chomsky, Skinner, and Goodman. A grading rubric will be provided prior to writing this project.
Due:
2. Language Autobiography
Language and story are central to culture, community, family, and personal lives. Therefore, each EDEE candidate will complete a project documenting the significant role both these elements have played in shaping his or her life through family, community, and culture (5 –8 pages). As part of this project each student must select a children’s picture book that is representative of his or her family culture and share information about it with the class. Due:
C. Examinations
There will be three Exams in this course. An initial test, a midterm, and a final exam. These exams will cover all the material in the readings, course activities, and associated field experiences.
D. Field Experience Assignment
Each student in EDEE 640 must also be enrolled in EDEE 645. Each EDEE 640 student will be expected to maintain Field Notes for each field visit. Each observation entry should include: time and date of observation; the sequence of events observed; the physical environment, a description of at least one significant episode in the classroom, and an emphasis on the language use, language development, language settings, language functions, or language interaction in the classroom. The best way to do this is to record as many direct quotes of language as possible. After the completion of the experience a written analysis will be due for each level (Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle). I will provide the forms and further directions to do this as the semester progresses. Each final paper will be 4 pages. Due: To Be Set
EDEE 640
Questions and concerns may be addressed to blakem@cofc.edu