Reading Practicum Course Information
EDUB 755 Reading Practicum
Course Description
Because a literacy coach has many roles in a school setting, this course is structured to give the candidate a practical introduction to as many of those roles as possible. Serving teachers is a primary function of a literacy coach, so choosing and beginning to work with an individual teacher starts the first week of the course. Another role of the literacy coach is to work with a total school faculty. Developing a needs assessment for the teachers in the school to identify what the course of study should be for professional development is an integral role of the literacy coach. Presenting information to small and large groups of teachers is another role of the literacy coach. This course gives the candidate an opportunity to work on this skill. Another population the literacy coach works with is the parents of the school’s children. This course emphasizes this component of a literacy coach’s responsibilities as well. This course is structured to take the Reading Specialist candidate through the roles of a literacy coach in a meaningful and ascending manner. It is the goal of the instructor to help the candidate work through each role and identify the commonalities and differences of each role as well as each role’s importance in and to the school community.
Week 1
No Lecture – Practicum Assignments
Outcomes
- Define “literacy coach” and how the coach could affect a school community
- Understand differing attitudes in the school community
- Identify the roles and formats for literacy coaching
Week 2
No Lecture – Practicum Assignments
Outcomes
- Differentiate ways to approach different members of the school community
- Discuss the qualities of an effective literacy coach
- Recognize different ways to communicate with teachers, parents and principals
Week 3
No Lecture – Practicum Assignments
Outcomes
- Identify the literacy coach’s role in individual teacher conferences
- Keep track of teacher conferences and keep the conferences on the task at hand
- Learn different methods of coaching teacher teams and facilitating teacher study groups
Week 4
No Lecture – Practicum Assignments
Outcomes
- Learn strategies a literacy coach may utilize as a change agent
- Determine methods a literacy coach may use in different situations that may arise
- Discuss various means of managing the tasks of literacy coaching
- Find answers to key questions that are discussed in the text by utilizing the appendices
Week 5
No Lecture – Practicum Assignments
Outcomes
- Find resources on the web to aid in working with teachers and parents
- Discern what strategies/activities would work in their specific situations
Week 6
No Lecture – Practicum Assignments
Outcomes
- Describe a demonstration lesson given by a literacy coach
- Decide how demonstration lessons and co-teaching can be effective tools for the literacy coach
Week 7
No Lecture – Practicum Assignments
Outcomes
- Learn the processes for serving an entire school as a literacy coach
- Discover non coaching activities required of a literacy coach
- Learn the role of a literacy coach when working with students
Week 8
No Lecture – Practicum Assignments
Outcomes
- Learn the differences between coaching and supervising and then evaluate those differences
- Complete final assignment of course
- Submit all remaining documentation to finish the course
The course description, objectives and learning outcomes are subject to change without notice based on enhancements made to the course. October 2011
