This unit provides preservice teachers with the foundational knowledge to teach reading, writing and spelling in the early years of school. The unit will focus on the six keys to reading instruction, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and oral language and how to teach and assess them. Students will learn about a range of theoretical perspectives on reading. The unit will focus on explicit and systematic instruction of phonics, writing and spelling. Students will learn how adults can promote early literacy skills through oral language and print conventions.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Identify and articulate a range of theoretical perspectives on literacy learning;
2. Understand the roles adults play in children's literacy development, and oral language as a foundation for literacy success;
3. Investigate the importance of using a variety of texts as part of an effective literacy program, including multimodal versions of these texts;
4. Explain the six keys to reading success (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and oral language) and how they can be taught, monitored and assessed; and
5. Plan and evaluate learning experiences for early reading, writing and spelling.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development

Prerequisites

Must have completed 12 credit points in a primary initial teacher education or early childhood education course.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

9871 English Literacy for Educators

Assumed knowledge

None.