RDG 1510-3 Cognitive Strategies for Analytical Reading (3 + 0)

Prerequisite: minimum performance standard score on the reading preassessment placement test

This course is designed to expand communication strategies in reading, listening and reasoning. Through pragmatic assignments, students will have the opportunity for guided practice and application. (General Studies-Level I, Communications)

RDG 2910-3 Foundations of Literacy Instruction for Exceptional Learners (3 + 0)

Prerequisite: satisfactory completion of the writing and mathematics proficiency requirements

This course builds the knowledge base of prospective special eduation teachers and includes the research and theoretical foundation of P-12 developmental reading programs. The course stresses the environment, cognitive, and language factors that influence the acquisition and development of literacy for students with disabilities, with emphasis on phonological awareness and graphophonemics. Also included is content on functional reading approaches for students with more severe disabilities. In this course, preservice teachers gain a current knowledge base that will enable them to select instructional techniques, materials, and assessment instruments that will facilitate the literacy development of exceptional learners.

RDG 3060-3 Critical Reading/Thinking (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: RDG 1510 or permission of instructor and satisfaction of Level I General Studies course requirements

This course is designed to develop and expand analytical, creative and evaluative thought processes. Students will apply their critical reading and thinking processes as they study academic and societal issues. They will learn strategies for transferring these processes to other situations. (General Studies-Level II, Arts and Letters)

RDG 3110-3 Foundations of Literacy Instruction in Grades P-6 (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: PSY 1800, EDU 3100 (for elementary licensure students) or permission of instructor, and satisfactory completion of General Studies Level I composition and mathematics requirement

This course builds the knowledge base of prospective teachers and includes the research and theoretical foundation of P-6 developmental reading programs. It stresses the environmental, cognitive, and language factors influencing the acquisition and development of literacy with emphasis on phonological awareness and graphophonemics. In this course, preservice teachers gain a current knowledge base which will enable them to select instructional techniques, materials, and assessment instruments that will facilitate the literacy development of diverse learners. For licensure, this knowledge base course must be followed by a second reading course, either RDG 3120 for early childhood licensure candidates or RDG 4000 for elementary licensure candidates, that will emphasize performance-based and field-based learning experiences.

RDG 3120-3 Developing Print Literacy: Preschool-Grade 3 (3 + 0)

Prerequisite: RDG 3110

Corequisites: ECE 3150, ECE 3160

Standards-based instructional techniques for literacy in a balanced literacy program, preschool-grade 3, are built

on a foundation of oral language development. The focus of this course is on instruction which enables children to develop the skills, concepts, and attitudes necessary for greatest success in becoming proficient readers and writers. Diverse student populations are addressed when selecting instructional approaches and designing materials for literacy development. The content of this course is practiced in the field experience course, ECE 3160, shared with a planning and management course that is taken concurrently.

RDG 3140-2 Whole Language Integration Across the Curriculum (2 + 0)

Prerequisite: RDG 3120 or RDG 3280 or RDG 4000 or permission of instructor

Focus is placed upon comprehension-centered whole language as a process. As a result of this course, prospective teachers will be able to implement integrated reading and writing instruction using literature.

RDG 3150-4 Middle School Instructional Reading and Writing Strategies (4 + 0)

Prerequisites: EDS 3110 and EDS 3120 or permission of instructor

This course focuses on the instructional strategies available to the middle school teacher. Emphasis is placed on using an integrated reading and writing approach to the middle school academic core. Extensive practice will be done in writing interdisciplinary thematic units that are developed around compelling personal and social issues for the middle school student.

RDG 3160-4 Strategies for Enhancing Adult Literacy (4 + 0)

Prerequisite: RDG 3140 or permission of instructor

This course introduces prospective teachers to all aspects of adult basic literacy instruction. Included are word identification skills, comprehension-based instructional strategies and vocabulary-building techniques that can be used in an integrated curriculum with functionally limited adults in adult basic education courses.

RDG 3280-4 Teaching Literacy Skill Development in the Content Areas (4 + 0)

Prerequisites: EDS 3110 and EDS 3120 or permission of instructor

Corequisites: EDS 3210 and EDS 3220 (EDS 3222 for Mathematics teacher candidates) are highly recommended for those seeking secondary endorsements. For those seeking K-12 endorsements, courses in methods of teaching and field experience in the content area are highly recommended

This course is for students seeking educational licensure in a K-12 or 7-12 content area. Course content and objectives prepare teacher candidates to develop student literacy in reading, writing, speaking, viewing and listening. Evidence of teacher candidate proficiency in developing literacy strategies that impact student content learning will be required for course completion. Ideally, RDG 3280 is taken concurrently with EDS 3220 (EDS 3222 for Mathematics teacher candidates) for those seeking endorsements in secondary education. Students seeking K-12 endorsements should ideally take this course concurrently with methods of teaching and field experience in the content areas. In all cases, selected literacy strategies will be applied in a field-based setting.

RDG 3530-2 Techniques of Teaching Reading to Non-English Speakers (1 + 2)

Prerequisite: RDG 3120 or RDG 3280 or RDG 4000 or permission of instructor

This course covers theories, methods, and techniques for teaching language and reading to the non-English speaker in grades K-6. A minimum of 25 hours of tutoring with a non-English speaker is required.

RDG 3580-3 Reading in the Bilingual-Bicultural Classroom (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: RDG 3120 or RDG 3280 or RDG 4000 and proficiency in Spanish

This course emphasizes the teaching of Spanish reading skills in the bilingual-bicultural classroom, preschool through third grade. Methods and techniques for systematically teaching the primary child to speak and read the Spanish language are included.

RDG 3600-3 Practicum in Teaching Reading (1 + 4)

Prerequisite: RDG 3120 or RDG 3280 or RDG 4000 or permission of instructor

This course encompasses planning, preparing and presenting reading lessons for a group of students in developmental reading programs. It is designed to acquaint prospective teachers with the practical application of theoretical concepts of teaching. Fifty clock-hours of experience in public or parochial schools are required.

RDG 4000-3 Literacy Instruction in Grades K-6 (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: RDG 3110, EDU 3640, EDU 3650

Corequisites: EDU 4100, EDU 4105

In this course, teacher candidates will extend and apply various components of a K-6 developmental reading program for balanced literacy instruction. They develop and implement instructional plans, materials, and assessment techniques with emphasis on reading and writing standards to succeed in the literacy development of diverse learners. The content of this course provides teacher candidates the opportunity to practice theoretical concepts through structured observations, teaching assignments, and assessment techniques in conjunction with a language arts methods course.

RDG 4250-4 Literacy Assessment: Theory and Practice (4 + 0)

Prerequisite: RDG 3600 (may be taken concurrently), or permission of instructor

This course focuses on literacy development from kindergarten through secondary grade levels. Students learn to administer and interpret appropriate assessment instruments and use the results to write instructional plans designed to further literacy development for a diverse population of students.

RDG 4340-2 Development of Reading/Writing Instructional Materials and Procedures (2 + 0)

Pre or Corequisite: RDG 3600, or permission of instructor

This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to analyze and construct visual aids and writing materials appropriate for teaching reading and writing, reinforcing reading skills and concepts and remediating reading deficiencies.

RDG 4500-3 Language Arts and the Classroom Computer (3 + 0)

Prerequisite: RDG 3120 or RDG 3280, or RDG 4000 or permission of instructor

Reviews the role of, evaluation of, and strategies for integrating computer software into the language arts classroom. Introduces a common word processing and database program and uses in developing reading and writing.

RDG 4550-1-3 Current Literacy Issues: Variable Topics (1-3 + 0)

Prerequisite: RDG 3120 or RDG 3280 or RDG 4000 or permission of instructor

This variable topics/variable credit course will enable students to pursue an in-depth study of one or more literacy issues that are not covered to a great extent in other reading courses. Course may be repeated for credit for different topics.

RDG 4600-3 Practicum in Literacy Enhancement (1 + 4)

Prerequisites: satisfaction of all Level I and Level II General Studies course requirements, senior standing, and RDG 4250 or permission of instructor

This course involves one-to-one instructional sessions in literacy enhancement for children brought to the campus or in Denver area schools. Appropriate assessment instruments are administered and the results are interpreted and used to plan and implement effective tutoring sessions. A total of 50 clock hours with the children is required. (Senior Experience)