COURSE: 

CDT 1713  LANGUAGE AND LITERACY DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A study of language development and the implementation of a developmentally appropriate language arts curriculum for young children.

 

CREDIT:  Three semester hours.

 

INSTRUCTOR:

Sandra S. Ford

Waller 110, Office

662-720-7214

ssford@nemcc.edu

 

TEXT:  Machado, Jeanne M.  EARLY CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES IN LANGUAGE ARTS, Seventh Edition.  Albany, New York:  Delmar Learning, 2003.

 

COMPETENCIES/OBJECTIVES:

  1. Explain how language is acquired.
    1. Discuss language acquisition theories.
    2. Describe the characteristics of language during different stages of development.
    3. Research and discuss brain development and its influence on language acquisition.

 

  1. Examine the four areas of language arts including listening, speaking, writing, and reading.
    1. Describe the methods used to facilitate reading development.
    2. Select appropriate equipment and materials for each area including use of computers.
    3. Demonstrate appropriate activities to support young children’s emerging literacy.
    4. Identify characteristics of a print-rich environment.
    5. Integrate and evaluate developmentally appropriate children’s literature into all aspects of the curriculum.
    6. Demonstrate appropriate strategies for engaging young children with stories and active learning activities.

 

TEACHING METHODS:

Lecture, demonstrations, discussions, videos, guest speakers, student presentations.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

  1. ATTENDANCE:  Students are expected to attend all class meetings.  When a student misses 20% of class she/he will be asked to withdraw or will be cut from the class.  Please contact me at 662-720-7214 (office), 662-534-4390 (home), or ssford@nemcc.edu if you must be absent.
  2. PARTICIPATION:  Students are expected to have read the assigned material and to be prepared for class discussion.  Also, students are expected to participate in class activities, cooperate with class members and the instructor, and to listen attentively.
  3. ASSIGNMENTS:
    1. Activities – Each student will prepare a lesson plan and present a listening activity, a speaking activity, a prewriting activity, and a prereading activity.
    2. Finger Play Presentation – Each student will select a finger play to teach to the class.
    3. Storytelling – Each student present two stories to the class.  One story presentation must be a flannel board story.  Stories must be told and not read.
    4. Circle/Group Time Presentation – Each student will plan and present a 25 minute circle/group time for preschoolers demonstrating techniques in presenting flannel board stories, finger plays, choruses/chants, and  reading a book with a word wall. 
    5. Group Storytime Presentation:  The presentation will be in April during National Library Week.  Assignments will be given sometime during the month of January.  Some class time will be given for preparation, but outside preparation time will be necessary!  Students will be expected to work cooperatively.
  4. EXAMINIATIONS:  Several small exams and a final will be completed.  The instructor reserves the right to test as she deems necessary.

 

EVALUATION:

Exams, class participation, assignments.  Each student is expected to “do her part” in the group assignments and to maintain a positive attitude toward other students and the instructor.  Excessive unexcused absences, incomplete and late assignments, and absence at scheduled presentation times will affect the student’s grade.

 

* Presentations will be made in the classroom, the CDT Laboratory, and/or Booneville HeadStart.

 

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