Overview of Session Three (Weeks 3 & 4): LIST 4373

In session two, which takes place during weeks three and four, you will be learning about beginning reading, word study, and phonics. This is a really crucial topic as students begin to understand the alphabetic principle or that certain letters represent certain sounds! Beginning reading doesn't just happen in kindergarten or first grade. Some students come to school already reading or with a basic awareness of print and the alphabet. Other students struggle to learn to read up to second or third grade and sometimes even beyond. Therefore, this knowledge about word study and phonics is not just for primary grade teachers. Additionally, you will be reading about how to help students when they can't pronounce a word. The gist of this article is that you should not say, “Sound it out,” because not all words can be sounded out. It's a really important article because oftentimes new teachers don't know how to help a student who can't pronounce a word. Telling them the word is also not an ideal option as it doesn’t help the student to problem-solve about reading. It’s also important that text for beginning readers is matched to their reading level so they are not bored or frustrated. So, please read this week closely and carefully and watch any videos and listen to any podcast that are required. Feel free to email me if there are any concepts that you do not understand. I am also easily available on blackboard instant messenger. For the assignments this week, they all take place in week 4. Therefore, I would use week 3 to read and take notes so that you can fully digest the information! During week four, you will begin your reader response discussion groups. You will be in groups of 10 to 12 students and you will use a specified format for both your initial post and your replies. Please be sure to include a digital artifact and explain the digital artifact. I encourage you to create a digital artifact such as a podcast or an infographic. Schools have the expectation that you are well familiar with technology and can use it across all subject areas. This gives you a chance to practice creating digital materials as you will be doing this in your future classroom. Even elementary teachers are expected to create content for literacy instruction and help students as young as PK and kinder to create digital content using various technology tools. Therefore, it is good to start now so that you are not learning this on the job. The second assignment you will do that is attend or watch the recording for webinar number 2. There is a brief written reflection. I suggest taking notes during the webinar and using the PowerPoint to help you review what was discussed as you write your reflection. Finally, there will be a quiz over the readings from session 2 content. Again, taking notes as you read would be ideal. I am very easy to get ahold and quick to reply if you have any questions whatsoever about content or assignments! All due dates in to your Google calendar or other digital calendar. Have a great session. *Side note: I used the free Chrome app Voice Note II (speech-to-text tool) to write this script: https://voicenote.in/live/. See: https://youtu.be/31M-3j1Y1HE. -Dr. Semingson