Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Education

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Literacy Teaching in the Junior Primary

• Unit Code

  LAN4014

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  10

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

This unit focuses on children's language and literacy learning in the junior primary years of school. The unit explores the complex nature of reading and writing and presents the latest research findings on effective early years' literacy teaching. An understanding of the diverse backgrounds and experiences of literacy learners, and the need to determine prior experience and knowledge, is highlighted. Literacy learning theory is closely aligned with effective teaching strategies, practices and organisational approaches. An early years planning cycle of assessment, planning, teaching and review is used to assist pre-service teachers in understanding the various aspects of teaching literacy in the junior primary years.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded LAN4104

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Articulate a sound understanding of the alphabetic principle, phonological and phonemic awareness and graphophonic knowledge and their importance to learning to read and write.
2. Articulate an understanding of early reading and writing processes and language and literacy knowledge, understandings and skills.
3. Articulate sound principles of learning and teaching for language and literacy.
4. Demonstrate awareness of the multiplicity of backgrounds and experiences of the literacy learner and the need to diversify assessment, planning and teaching.
5. Interpret and apply knowledge of current curriculum documentation relevant to the learning and teaching of language and literacy.
6. Show familiarity with a range of effective early years strategies for assessment, planning, teaching and learning.

Unit Content

1. Approaches to early years' language and literacy teaching ? organisational methods and approaches, teaching strategies, learning experiences and resources.
2. Current and relevant curriculum documentation.
3. Learning to read and write; the processes and the understandings, skills and knowledge to be learned and developed.
4. The Alphabetic Principle, phonological and phonemic awareness and graphophonic knowledge and their relationship to learning to read and write.
5. The early years' planning cycle of assessment, planning, teaching and review.
6. The literacy learner in regards to diversity of backgrounds, experiences and prior learning.
7. Theory and current research applicable to early years' literacy learning and teaching.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, reflection on learningand self study will be utilised as teaching/learning processes in this unit for on-campus

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• Cunningham, P. (2005). Phonics they use. Melbourne, Australia: Pearson Education.
• Ericson, L., & Juliebo, M.F. (1998). The phonological awareness handbook for kindergarten and primary teachers. Newark, NJ: International Reading Association.
• Hill, S. (2012). Developing early literacy: Assessment and teaching. South Yarra, Australia: Eleanor Curtain Publishing.
• Konza, D. (2006). Teaching children with reading difficulties. (2nd ed). South Melbourne, Australia: Cengage Learning.
• Winch, G., Johnston, R. R., March, P., Ljungdahl, L., & Holliday, M. (2010). Literacy: Reading, writing and children's literature. South Melbourne, Australia: Oxford University Press.
• Neaum, S. (2012). Language and literacy for the early years. London, United Kingdom: SAGE.
• Otto, B. (2008). Literacy development in early childhood: Reflective teaching for birth to age eight. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.
• Smith, J.A., & Read. S. (2009). Early literacy instruction: Teaching readers and writers in today's primary classroom. Boston, MA: Pearson Education.
• Morrow, L.M. (2009). Literacy development in the early years: Helping children read and write. Boston, MA: Pearson Education.

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