Reading Instruction and Children’s Books
This is a four week Moodle course.
Section #1 (full) July 20 - August 14, 2009
Section #2 (full) August 3 - 28, 2009
Registration is now closed.
Course Description
Although children’s librarians think learning to read is about books, teachers use buzz-words such as lexile, phonics and word walls. Parents and students are often seeking grade appropriate reading materials. Several methods are used to determine grade level. In order for children’s librarians to effectively assist patrons, they need to understand how to interpret grade levels assigned to books by publishers and educators. This course will provide children’s librarians with an understanding of different methodologies for reading instruction, including sight words, phonics, literate environment and pre- and post-reading activities. The course will then explore some of the ways that the grade-level of reading materials are determined, including Lexile Levels, Flesch-Kincaid Index and SMOG Readability Formula. These procedures will be applied to evaluate books, periodicals, websites and other material that children need to read. Finally, librarians will be encouraged to develop strategies for explaining these grading formulae to parents and to communicate more effectively with teachers as a result of their understanding.
Goal
Participants will be able to assist children, parents and teachers in selecting reading material that is appropriate for students who are developing reading skills. You will:
1. contrast instructional methods used to teach reading in elementary schools.
2. compute grade levels of children’s reading materials using accepted formulas.
3. apply readability tests to books, periodicals, websites and other materials that children may need to read.
4. interpret readability strategies and numbers for library patrons seeking appropriate material.
Participants will:
1. Write, read and respond to other students in online discussions.
2. Read assigned periodicals and online sources.
3. Complete and digitally submit assignments for each unit.
4. Prepare a final presentation and share with other students.
Course Requirements
There is no text required for this course; however readings from periodicals and online sources will be required.
There will be one synchronous session during the course on Monday, August 3 from 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT. The date and time for the synchronous chat during section 2 is TBA.
Students should be available and logged on to a computer during this time.
Who should take this course
Children’s librarians in public libraries and schools; library paraprofessional and support staff who are working with students, parents and teachers; teachers who are not trained in reading instruction would also benefit from this course.
Instructor/Designer
Katherine (Kate) Todd, Adjunct Instructor, Manhattanville College (email: EduKateTodd@gmail.com)
Registration
Registration is now closed.
Class size is limited to 25 students.
ALSC Personal Member: $95
ALA Personal Member: $145
Nonmember: $165
Member rates apply to personal memberships only. Interested in joining ALSC? Click here to learn more about ALSC and how to join.
How do I access Moodle?
Registered participants will receive an email from their instructor one week prior to the start of the course. You will then be able to login to Moodle and adjust your browser's settings if necessary. You will not have to download any special software use Moodle. In this email, your instructor will provide you with a URL (Web address) to access the ALA online course environment. You you should create a user account with Moodle if this is your first time accessing the ALA Moodle environment (login is not tied to your ALA user name and password). After you create an account, you will be able to log in and access the course (you will be prompted for an enrollment key, which your instructor will also send).
Click here learn more about Moodle and become acquainted with the Moodle's graphical user interface. This page provides a features demonstration of the modules you are likely to encounter as a student.
If you have questions about the online courses or encounter technical problems when logging into Moodle, please contact Aimee Strittmatter at 1-800-545-2433 x2163 or astrittmatter@ala.org
Do you offer college credit or CEU's for this course?
College credit nor CEU's are available at this time. ALSC's online courses are the equivalent of a one day face-to-face workshop. A certificate of completion will be sent to each participant upon successful completion for each course taken.
Requirements vary by state and school district regarding certification and continuing education credits. The decision to grant CEU credits remains entirely up to your state or school district. If you are in need of credits, check with your state and/or school district before enrolling to determine eligibility. Some states will review your certificate of completion and course syllabus to determine eligibility. A PDF copy of the syllabus can be provided to you upon request.
