ELE ED 6253: Teaching Social Studies through Reading, Writing, and English Language Learning

Course Description

Examines the teaching of social studies through reading elementary children's literature about U.S. history and examines writing instruction as a complex and dynamic process. The course integrates a standards-based, backward-planning approach; authentic literacy instruction through the lens of social studies; attention to the linguistic and cultural demands of social studies; and differentiation in instruction so that each student has access to meaningful and challenging learning opportunities using Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP). It focuses on essential attributes of effective literacy and content teachers, including the ability to draw upon students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds, help students make connections between new information and previous knowledge and skills that are research-based, and support students to transfer new information to real-life contexts and environments using critical thinking skills.