Fresno Pacific University Center for Professional Development Course Syllabus LNG 909 LANGUAGE ARTS ACTIVITIES FOR THE PRIMARY GRADES Instructor: Harold Silvani Contact Information Address: 2794 E. Alluvial, Clovis, CA 93611 Phone: 800-967-9365 Fax: 559-299-3345 Email: csam@psnw.com COURSE DESCRIPTION Language Arts Activities for the Primary Grades is designed to provide the teacher in grades 2nd, & 3rd with activities that will help to ensure that all students are knowledgeable and proficient users of language. This course will give the teacher a resource to help students develop language skills while engaging them in activities that provide practice in spelling, alphabetizing, word usage, synonyms, antonyms, capitalization, punctuation, syllabication, and proofreading. The activities are grounded in what is known about language and how it is learned. The goal is to provide different experiences that are flexible, promote social interaction, and allow the student to demonstrate and apply knowledge of language structure and conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation). The activities will allow the teacher to become aware of and responsive to the needs of the students while they are implementing activities that encourage students to participate as knowledgeable, creative, and reflective members of a learning community. The activities are useful for introducing new skills and concepts as well as preparing students for achievement testing. Teachers will be using a variety of game-type formats that can be easily adapted for different achievement levels and language skill areas. The activities are designed for use with the whole class, small and large groups, or as individual assignments. Many of the activities are also appropriate for use in peer and cross-age tutoring situations and as homework assignments to encourage parental involvement. The teacher page for each activity offers suggestions for adaptations and integration ideas in other subject areas. The concepts and skills presented in this course are aligned with national, state, and local guidelines, which makes the lessons easily infused into existing language programs. PRIMARY LEARNING OUTCOMES Course participants will: - Present alternate approaches to drills necessary for mastery of selected language arts skills while involving students in high-interest activities that promote active participation. - Implement versatile classroom-ready materials that can be used to meet the needs of individual teaching/ learning situations. - Effectively utilize unscheduled time periods that are sometimes available throughout the day. - Create an environment in which students work as active learners and are encouraged to communicate knowledge. - Align language arts standards and objectives with course content. - Develop activities that meet the specific needs of the students in the classroom. - Review and analyze current trends in language arts education. - Promote staff interaction through observation and sharing.
In an effort to enhance the learning experiences, as well as demonstrate knowledge, skills, abilities, and commitment, teachers are asked to infuse the five core propositions set forth by The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in their teaching practices. - Teachers are committed to students and their learning. - Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students. - Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning. - Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience. - Teachers are members of learning communities. STANDARDS-BASED INSTRUCTION More than a decade ago, in an effort to improve student learning, high standards for achievement were distinguished. Clear standards define exactly what students should know and be able to learn. In essence, standards provide a blueprint for the concepts and skills that teachers are expected to present. Standards provide the teacher with a clear focus of what they not only need to teach but also what they need to know. Standards clearly define what is taught and what kind of performance is expected. Well-designed assessments play a vital role in standards-based teaching because they assist in identifying what help the students need as well as the strengths and weaknesses in the teaching itself. The activities in this course provide the teacher with a tool to measure the progress the students are making towards meeting the standards. This is accomplished by taking a constructivist approach to learning where students are actively engaged while building knowledge. This course will give the teacher the opportunity to design realistic, interesting, and thought provoking activities that demonstrate students have met or are progressing toward the standards. Unlike traditional tests or evaluations, which often cause students to become uncomfortable, these activities provide practical, positive practice for the students and a way for the teacher to assess students in a fun and discreet way. Additionally, the activities offer an opportunity for the students to demonstrate proficiency in more than one subject. In standards-based learning, assignments should integrate cumulative knowledge within a subject with several other academic disciplines. The formats in Language Arts Activities for the Primary Grades are specifically designed to meet this goal by offering the teacher the opportunity to infuse language within other subject areas. In doing this, standards in more than one content area are linked and reinforce each other. The activities not only measure students ability to analyze, solve problems, and synthesize information but also give an indication of their mastery of knowledge and skills. COURSE MATERIALS - Course Manual Language Arts Activities for the Primary Grades - 2 Ready-to-use Transparencies - Chip Pack - Vinyl Spinner - Cassette Tape - Pattern Play Phonics - Batter-Up Spelling - Business Pack Information - Three-part Grade Form - Procedure for Completing Coursework - General Information - Curriculum Services Associates envelope and return address label COURSE REQUIREMENTS Credit Grade or Letter Grade of B
- Implement selected activities with students in the classroom. - Maintain a detailed log of results, suggestions, and adaptations. - Align the activities in the course content to state, local, or national standards. - Design activities for use in the classroom that support the selected curriculum and are aligned with content standards. - Encourage parental participation through the use of homework assignments. - Share selected activities with other staff members for ideas and feedback. - Review current trends in education and summarize your findings. - Evaluate the effectiveness of the course in a reflective essay. Letter Grade of A - Create a language arts game appropriate for use in your classroom. SCORING GUIDE - All assignments have a point value, which cumulatively total 100. A= 100-91 B or Credit Grade = 90-75 Below 75 points = no credit - To earn a grade of Credit, the quality of work must be equal to or better than 75 points or a B grade. In order to earn a letter grade of A you must complete all the assignments listed for Credit Grade or Letter Grade of B, plus the assignment listed under, Letter Grade of A. The discernment between an A or a B is at the discretion of the instructor based on the quality of work submitted. - All assignments must be completed in order to receive a grade. In addition, all assignments are expected to reflect the quality that teacher-training institutions require of professional educators. If completed assignments do not meet this standard, they will be returned with further instructions from the course coordinator. When writing Log Forms, explain in detail how the activity was presented. Describe the grouping that was used (whole class, small group, tutorial, cooperative learning group, etc.). Indicate what the results were and the adaptations, if any, that you made. Include any changes that you would make if you were to use the activity again (See Appendix B for an example). Make sure that your name is on each log form. - Coursework is to be neat and organized preferably typed. If using a word processor please use the forms located in Appendix A as guides. If you are handwriting your coursework you may reproduce the forms. Several examples of student work or photographs are welcomed, but not required, unless otherwise stated. POLICY ON PLAGIARISM All people participating in the educational process at Fresno Pacific University are expected to pursue honesty and integrity in all aspects of their academic work. Academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, will be handled according to the procedures set forth in the Fresno Pacific University Catalog. SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS Credit Grade or Letter Grade of B 1. Read the course manual to become familiar with the concepts presented, and the suggestions for implementation. Select and use at least 15 of the activities with students in your classroom. Choose an activity, which is appropriate for the students with whom you are working. It can be used with small groups at a learning center, in cooperative learning teams, or for whole class involvement. Complete a Log Form for each of the activities that you use. Include a detailed summary of how it was used and indicate any adaptations that you might have incorporated in the lesson. Describe the results of the lesson and suggest ways that the activity could be changed to use with students of lower or higher ability levels. 20 possible points
2. Correlate the activities that you used in the course manual to the standards for the grade level that you teach. You may use your district, state, or national standards as guiding documents. The following websites may be helpful in accessing standards: Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning http://www.mcrel.org Didax Educational Standards http://www.didaxinc.com/standards/html Education World: National Education Standards http://www.education-world.com/standards Example: Using the California Language Arts Content Standards (Grade 2) Activity Objectives Standards Capitalization and Punctuation 4-SquarePractice in determining mistakes in capitalization and punctuation.1.0 Written and Oral English Language Conventions Punctuation: Uses quotation marks correctly. Capitalization: Capitalize all proper nouns, words at the beginning of a sentence and greetings, months and days of the week, and titles and initials of people. 2. Develop two activities for use with students in your classroom that integrates language arts with another subject area. You may select from the formats in the course manual or create ones of your own. When developing activities make sure to align them with your state, local, or national standards. Use each of the activities with students and complete a Log Form. Attach a copy of the Log Form to the activity that you created. 3. Use Batter-Up Spelling with your students and complete a Log Form. 4. Use Pattern Play Phonics with your students and complete a Log Form. 5. Share an activity of your choice with other staff members. This could be in the form of a grade level meeting, a faculty meeting, or presenting an activity in the classroom of another teacher at your school. Complete and include the Sharing Form (Appendix A) with your other logs. 7. Read and summarize an article in a book, periodical, or other publication that relates to the teaching of language arts (1-2 page summary). Include in your summary how you would implement any ideas or techniques suggested in your classroom. You may choose from the Suggested Reading List, or summarize an article of your choosing. Attach a copy of the article to the completed summary. 8. Develop a 1-2 page reflective essay evaluating the effectiveness of the strategies presented in this course. Describe the reaction of the students to the activities and how you will implement the activities in the future. Letter Grade of A
1. Using any of the formats listed in the assignments, or any that you have created, design a language arts game for use in your classroom. If you would like you may use the enclosed game tracks. Complete a Log Form detailing the results when used with your students. Include copies or photos of the game and a set of the instructions. SUMMER ASSIGNMENT For teachers who are not currently teaching or want to finish the course requirements during the summer you may complete the assignments with your own children, children in the neighborhood, or a group of teachers. When completing the Log Forms make sure and indicate how you will carry out the lessons with the students in your classroom. If you do not have access to any students, please contact the instructor for an alternate assignment.