REED 663: STRATEGIC USE OF REED 663: STRATEGIC USE OF MATERIALSMATERIALS

Course OverviewCourse Overview

Dr. Sharon PitcherDr. Sharon Pitcher

Spitcher@towson.eduSpitcher@towson.edu

When viewing PowerPoints, click on “View Show” under Slide Show on PowerPoint menu so links will be active.

In this Course We Create a Third Space Online for In this Course We Create a Third Space Online for Us to Learn TogetherUs to Learn Together

On-Line ClassesOn-Line Classes: Provide opportunities to learn from : Provide opportunities to learn from different resources (Interactive PowerPoint different resources (Interactive PowerPoint Presentations, research articles, Internet sites, video Presentations, research articles, Internet sites, video clips, discussions, blogs)clips, discussions, blogs)

Blackboard SiteBlackboard Site:: Materials you can use independentlyMaterials you can use independently Interactive PowerPointsInteractive PowerPoints Submitting projectsSubmitting projects Opportunities to shareOpportunities to share

Email:Email: Updates and information (make sure you are checking Updates and information (make sure you are checking

your Towson email account numerous times during the your Towson email account numerous times during the week)week)

If you have questions or concerns, I would rather you If you have questions or concerns, I would rather you email me than worry.email me than worry.

Blackboard Café Discussion Blackboard Café Discussion BoardBoard There is a special discussion board on the There is a special discussion board on the

Blackboard site I call the Café. Blackboard site I call the Café. This is where you can ask questions (often some of This is where you can ask questions (often some of

your classmates can answer questions faster than I your classmates can answer questions faster than I can), share ideas, share materials, or just chat with can), share ideas, share materials, or just chat with your classmates.your classmates.

During the course I will often put up threads on this During the course I will often put up threads on this discussion board so we can get to know each other discussion board so we can get to know each other and share ideas on current topics.and share ideas on current topics.

The professor is not the only one who can add a thread on this discussion board. All of you are welcome to add one. I describe this discussion board as a way to go to Starbucks and discuss ideas with friends only you can do it in your own home and have to supply your own coffee.

Expected Course OutcomesExpected Course Outcomes

Approved by MSDE to meet the Approved by MSDE to meet the requirements of the requirements of the Materials for Materials for Teaching Reading CourseTeaching Reading Course

Crucial preparation for Reading Clinic. Crucial preparation for Reading Clinic. Fulfills some of the major IRA Fulfills some of the major IRA

Standards for Reading ProfessionalsStandards for Reading Professionals (See syllabus for list)(See syllabus for list) Helps you to achieve the College of Helps you to achieve the College of

Education DispositionsEducation Dispositions

This course fits in TU College of Ed Framework as it is an important part of developing reading specialists.

ESSENTIAL DISPOSITIONS FOR EDUCATORSESSENTIAL DISPOSITIONS FOR EDUCATORSTowson University College of EducationTowson University College of Education

Commitment to Professional PracticeCommitment to Professional Practice Respects and models high academic standards, and Respects and models high academic standards, and

demonstrates proficiency in academic writing and professional demonstrates proficiency in academic writing and professional oral presentation.oral presentation.

Demonstrates a repertoire of pedagogical skills that develop Demonstrates a repertoire of pedagogical skills that develop all all studentsstudents’’ critical and independent thinking, and performance critical and independent thinking, and performance capabilities.capabilities.

Reflects on practice regularly in order to improve student Reflects on practice regularly in order to improve student learning.learning.

Caring for the Success and Well-being of Caring for the Success and Well-being of All All StudentsStudents Believes that Believes that all all students can learn and persists in facilitating students can learn and persists in facilitating

their success.their success. Accepts and demonstrates responsibility for improving learning Accepts and demonstrates responsibility for improving learning

for for allall students. students. Demonstrates culturally responsive teaching and celebrates Demonstrates culturally responsive teaching and celebrates

cultural differences.cultural differences.Collaboration with Colleagues and StakeholdersCollaboration with Colleagues and Stakeholders

Establishes and contributes to a positive learning climate for Establishes and contributes to a positive learning climate for allall students.students.

Engages in continual learning and discussion with other Engages in continual learning and discussion with other professionals.professionals.

Seeks expert knowledge in order to improve teaching and Seeks expert knowledge in order to improve teaching and learning.learning.

Accepts suggestions and implements changes to improve Accepts suggestions and implements changes to improve professional practice.professional practice.

You will see that I will be incorporating assessments

throughout the course to make sure that you are working towards these dispositions.

On-Line ClassesOn-Line Classes All materials for an on-line class will be available on the All materials for an on-line class will be available on the

course Blackboard site by 1:00 PM on Wednesdays of course Blackboard site by 1:00 PM on Wednesdays of each week.each week.

The The Weekly Direction Sheet*Weekly Direction Sheet* will list all of the will list all of the activities for the class and when the activities are due. activities for the class and when the activities are due. It is It is crucial crucial that you make sure you understand the that you make sure you understand the activities for the week so you can put on the Café activities for the week so you can put on the Café Discussion Board or email me any questions you may Discussion Board or email me any questions you may have so put a time on your schedule to check have so put a time on your schedule to check

Blackboard every Wednesday afternoon or evening.Blackboard every Wednesday afternoon or evening. Questions about the weekly Questions about the weekly

assignments can be posted on the assignments can be posted on the Café and will be answered on Café and will be answered on Thursdays. Thursdays.

**DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE WEEKEND TO READ THIS DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE WEEKEND TO READ THIS BECAUSE THEN YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET IN BECAUSE THEN YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ME TO ASK QUESTIONS.TOUCH WITH ME TO ASK QUESTIONS.

Blog SiteBlog Site

For six classes we will use a blog to respond to the For six classes we will use a blog to respond to the readings.readings.

The blog provides an opportunity to discuss the The blog provides an opportunity to discuss the readings of the week with your classmates. A rubric for readings of the week with your classmates. A rubric for how the blog is graded is available under Course how the blog is graded is available under Course Projects on the Blackboard site.Projects on the Blackboard site.

The course blog site link is The course blog site link is http://spitcher.wordpress.com/ You are welcome to check out the site and You are welcome to check out the site and

read some of the blog responses from past read some of the blog responses from past classes so you can see what the activities classes so you can see what the activities look like.look like.

A link to this site is also provided on the A link to this site is also provided on the Blackboard site.Blackboard site.

EMAIL SUPPORTEMAIL SUPPORT

Do not hesitate to email me if you have any Do not hesitate to email me if you have any questions about the activities of the week questions about the activities of the week or if you need some extra help doing them.or if you need some extra help doing them.

I check email often on Tuesday, Wednesday, & I check email often on Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday.Thursday.

I am not always able to check email from Friday to I am not always able to check email from Friday to Monday. So if you have a question about work for Monday. So if you have a question about work for the week, you need to make a habit of checking the the week, you need to make a habit of checking the Weekly Weekly ““Class Direction SheetsClass Direction Sheets”” on Wednesdays on Wednesdays so I can answer your questions before the so I can answer your questions before the weekend.weekend.

Dr. Pitcher’s Email: spitcher@towson.edu

Review of the SyllabusReview of the Syllabus

Extremely important to read Extremely important to read over all of it.over all of it.

This is the professorThis is the professor’’s contract s contract with you.with you.

This includes the course outcomes, course textbooks, grading system, and online support. Read it carefully and put any questions you may have on the Café.

A Little Guide to Reading the A Little Guide to Reading the SyllabusSyllabus

The following slides will explain The following slides will explain the importance of the parts of the importance of the parts of the syllabus. the syllabus.

Print the syllabus off the Print the syllabus off the Blackboard site at this point and Blackboard site at this point and read the sections as you go read the sections as you go through the next couple of through the next couple of slides.slides.

Expected Course OutcomesExpected Course Outcomes

Are aligned with IRA Standards.Are aligned with IRA Standards. Show the purpose of each of the Show the purpose of each of the

course projects.course projects.

Course Texts (p. 2 of Syllabus)Course Texts (p. 2 of Syllabus) Phonics Text *Phonics Text *– You have a choice between – You have a choice between From From

Phonics to FluencyPhonics to Fluency (more early elementary (more early elementary oriented and easier to read) or oriented and easier to read) or Words Their WayWords Their Way (more comprehensive explanation of research and (more comprehensive explanation of research and includes activities from K to high school, great CD includes activities from K to high school, great CD with games and materials that you can with games and materials that you can individualize)individualize). . You will need this text by Class You will need this text by Class 6**.6**.

Comprehension Text*Comprehension Text* - I am requiring the 2007 - I am requiring the 2007 edition of edition of Strategies That Work. Strategies That Work. If you have the If you have the older edition, you still need to buy this one. It has older edition, you still need to buy this one. It has so much more in it that we will be using. so much more in it that we will be using. You will You will need this text by Class 12**.need this text by Class 12**.

Optional Text* - Optional Text* - Revisit, Reflect, RetellRevisit, Reflect, Retell is a required text for the Reading Clinic courses. This could be very helpful for when you are writing the research paper and doing the instructional project. There will be one optional project using this book in the course.

**These can be purchased from the TU Bookstore, On-line at a site of your These can be purchased from the TU Bookstore, On-line at a site of your choice or Intac, Inc. (This is a local professional book seller and he has choice or Intac, Inc. (This is a local professional book seller and he has great prices -301-589-5460 or 495-0254)great prices -301-589-5460 or 495-0254)

** Check Schedule at a Glance on Blackboard under Course Information ** Check Schedule at a Glance on Blackboard under Course Information for dates.for dates.

Journal readings will be Journal readings will be available on the Blackboard available on the Blackboard site at the E-Reserve link on site at the E-Reserve link on the Index. the Index.

For other journal resources online go For other journal resources online go to Cook Library on the TU website to Cook Library on the TU website and choose and choose ““Find It, Get It, Use ItFind It, Get It, Use It”” on on left menu.left menu.

http://cooklibrary.towson.edu/

For the Research Paper in this course, I will be giving you further directions on how to use the resources of Cook Library Online.

Page 3 - 5Page 3 - 5

Includes important Includes important information about:information about:

Disability accommodationsDisability accommodations How grades are decided and what How grades are decided and what

each project is worth.each project is worth. Class participation informationClass participation information Importance of syllabus and rubricsImportance of syllabus and rubrics ProfessorProfessor’’s availabilitys availability

BibliographyBibliography

Includes a list of books and Includes a list of books and materials that were used to materials that were used to design this course.design this course.

Also includes reference Also includes reference materials that can used to do materials that can used to do your research paper and your research paper and instructional projectinstructional project

Course ProjectsCourse Projects

A list of course projects with project A list of course projects with project descriptions and rubrics is on the descriptions and rubrics is on the course Blackboard site under Course course Blackboard site under Course Projects on Table of Contents.Projects on Table of Contents.

What is on the rubric is what I grade.What is on the rubric is what I grade.Take time now to read over each of the rubrics Take time now to read over each of the rubrics

carefully so you understand what all the carefully so you understand what all the projects will entail. Donprojects will entail. Don’’t worry about not t worry about not knowing how to do the projects at this point. knowing how to do the projects at this point. For each project, a PowerPoint explaining the For each project, a PowerPoint explaining the project and examples of past projects are project and examples of past projects are available under Course Documents. available under Course Documents.

Schedule at a GlanceSchedule at a Glance

This is available by clicking on This is available by clicking on the link on the the link on the ““Schedule at a Schedule at a GlanceGlance”” on the Table of on the Table of Contents of the Blackboard site.Contents of the Blackboard site.

Includes an outline of what is Includes an outline of what is learned and required each learned and required each week.week.

Can be used to plan ahead for Can be used to plan ahead for completing projects.completing projects.

More About ProjectsMore About Projects

More directions for the following More directions for the following projects on will be available on the projects on will be available on the Blackboard site:Blackboard site:

Internet ProjectInternet Project Text SetText Set Research PaperResearch Paper Instructional ProjectsInstructional Projects

Questions about the projects can be Questions about the projects can be posted on the Cafe discussion group.posted on the Cafe discussion group.

One Topic Ties Three Projects One Topic Ties Three Projects TogetherTogether

Choose a strategy to learn more Choose a strategy to learn more about.Then use that strategy for about.Then use that strategy for youryour : :

Research Paper/Literature Review Research Paper/Literature Review helps you to learn more about it.helps you to learn more about it.

Text Set Text Set brings together texts to teach brings together texts to teach it. You find ten texts to use to teach it. You find ten texts to use to teach the strategy.the strategy.

Instructional Project Instructional Project gives you a gives you a chance to try it.chance to try it.

Strategy Choice for ProjectsStrategy Choice for Projects

The strategy you choose to do the projects The strategy you choose to do the projects on must be a reading strategy that can be on must be a reading strategy that can be taught to students for them to internalize.taught to students for them to internalize.

The strategy must be approved by the The strategy must be approved by the professor (just email ideas).professor (just email ideas).

To get ideas of strategies that could be To get ideas of strategies that could be used, look at the table of contents of the used, look at the table of contents of the course textbooks.course textbooks.

More direction on how to choose a strategy More direction on how to choose a strategy will be given in future classes.will be given in future classes.

Instructional ProjectInstructional Project

Teacher research studyTeacher research study Decide to try to teach something that Decide to try to teach something that

you have never done before.you have never done before. Choose a group of children to work Choose a group of children to work

withwith Teach using the gradual release of Teach using the gradual release of

responsibility approach (much more responsibility approach (much more about this during the course)about this during the course)

Document what you doDocument what you doIf you are not teaching right now, you If you are not teaching right now, you

can work with any children that are can work with any children that are available to you .available to you .

Blackboard InvolvementBlackboard Involvement

Manage Your Own Learning and Manage Your Own Learning and Completion of the Projects – Schedule Completion of the Projects – Schedule at a Glance and Due Dates will help you.at a Glance and Due Dates will help you.

Schedule time after 1 PM on Schedule time after 1 PM on Wednesdays to check the Weekly Wednesdays to check the Weekly ““Class Direction SheetsClass Direction Sheets””..

Course Documents provide aids to help Course Documents provide aids to help with all projects and classes.with all projects and classes.

See Blackboard site for more details.See Blackboard site for more details.

Extra Credit ProjectsExtra Credit ProjectsSee descriptions of choices on Course Projects and See descriptions of choices on Course Projects and

Rubrics under Course Information on the Rubrics under Course Information on the Blackboard site.Blackboard site.

These options give you the opportunity to place all of These options give you the opportunity to place all of the resources available to you from this course on the resources available to you from this course on an online format. If you can think of another an online format. If you can think of another resource to use, you are welcome to suggest it.resource to use, you are welcome to suggest it.

If you choose not to do one of these projects, you may If you choose not to do one of these projects, you may want to save some of the resources from this want to save some of the resources from this course in a binder or on a flash drive. The Internet course in a binder or on a flash drive. The Internet sites, text sets, instructional projects, PowerPoints, sites, text sets, instructional projects, PowerPoints, and some of the instructional ideas will be very and some of the instructional ideas will be very helpful for you if you are in the Graduate Reading helpful for you if you are in the Graduate Reading Program when you get to Clinic.Program when you get to Clinic.

This WeekThis Week

Follow Follow Directions Sheet for Class 1Directions Sheet for Class 1 included on the Blackboard site under included on the Blackboard site under Weekly Direction Sheets. Weekly Direction Sheets.

Email your assignment to me.Email your assignment to me. Enter any questions you may have Enter any questions you may have

about the syllabus, projects, on-line about the syllabus, projects, on-line classes, etc. on the Café under classes, etc. on the Café under Discussion Boards on Blackboard. Discussion Boards on Blackboard.

Introduce yourself to the rest of us Introduce yourself to the rest of us following the directions on the following the directions on the ““introduce Yourselfintroduce Yourself”” link on the Café. link on the Café.

I look forward to I look forward to

Getting to know you in this Getting to know you in this course.course.

Helping you in any way I can to Helping you in any way I can to learn more about materials to learn more about materials to teach reading.teach reading.

Leading you in this educational Leading you in this educational experience.experience.

Dr. Sharon PitcherDr. Sharon Pitcher