Literature-Based Learning: Teaching Creative Language Arts Strategies

Course Available
3 Units
Independent Study

Course Description

Creatively Tie Standards with Literature to Boost English Language Arts Skills

This course provides K-6 teachers with creative strategies to teach English Language Arts skills. Teachers will be equipped with methods for teaching a variety of language skills based on grade level and student needs:  verb usage and meaning, word categorization to understand concepts, compound word knowledge and connections, using sentence-level context clues to determine meaning, synonym knowledge to support understanding, comma usage for introductory words/phrases, and context clue analysis by accessing a variety of reference materials. These new skills, activities, research and directed lesson plans will provide new and engaging lessons for students.

During this course, participants will:

  • Conduct research on active listening and describe how it enhances student learning
  • Conduct research on an English Language Arts standard of your choosing to achieve a better understanding and create more meaningful lessons
  • Conduct research describing how using children's literature can enhance and support student learning
  • Prepare, teach and reflect on one directed lesson provided in the course using one of the books from the course list
  • Create, teach and reflect on an additional creative lesson using the same book
  • Create a story bag/box/basket using any book from the course and align it to a different language arts standard
  • Final Project Part A:  Create a Sea Festival focusing on the elements from the course and include student assessments through games/events/prizes at the festival
  • Final Part B:  Reflect on the course activities and strategies studied throughout the course

Course Details

Number of Units: 3.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours

Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for K-6 teachers who want to increase motivation and learning with their students by using children's literature with creative strategies.

Course Materials:  No text required, however there is a requirement to have access to one of six listed children's books (titles provided in the course) that can be readily found in either your classroom, your school or public library, or purchased at your local bookstore or online at Amazon.com. This course can be completed with or without students present.

Course Options

Course Date Units Price
EDU-X711R – 006 Start now, you have 270 days to complete this course once enrolled 3 $391

IS/Literature-Based Learning: Teaching Creative Language Arts

Start now, you have 270 days to complete this course once enrolled
3
$391
Independent Study
Roxanne Miller

Once you have enrolled in this course, you may access Course Instructions upon logging into your account.

What You Will Learn

  • Teach language arts strategies creatively
  • Conduct and provide research on children's literature, a chosen English Language Arts standard, and Active Listening techniques
  • Develop lesson plans that connect standards and literature
  • Design a standard and literature-based story box
  • Create a culminating project, a Sea Festival, that incorporates all the strategies and knowledge acquired in this course
  • Reflect on and review the knowledge gained in this course

Instructors

Professional development courses offered by the University of San Diego’s Division of Professional & Continuing Education are taught by faculty that possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience.

Why USD?

The Professional and Continuing Education program nurtures key partnerships on the local, national, and international level. The goal is to better serve working professionals who seek to enhance or build their careers and help achieve their highest value and potential. Contact us today to learn more.

Informative Stats and Facts

600+

High-quality, career-building courses to choose from

50+

In-depth, innovative, and relevant topics

25+

Career advancing certificates

Learning Method Information

Courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that allows you to structure your education to suit your schedule while keeping you on pace toward achieving your educational.

Independent Study

Independent Study Self-Paced: Independent study courses offer you flexibility and the ability to complete a course faster or slower than you would a traditional live course. In this online format, you may register at any time and you will have a set time period (typically 9 months) from the time of registration to complete your course. This convenient format is often helpful for:

  • Working professionals with tight schedules
  • Students who require a specific course to meet professional development or recertification requirements
  • Students living in remote locations
  • Students who cannot easily attend courses due to injury or illness
  • Students who are self-motivated and conscientious

Key Benefits of Educator Courses

A World of Choices

With hundreds of courses across a range of education-related topics, there’s a strong chance we have the ideal class for you!

Small Class Sizes

Small class sizes with real-world educators are an important part of the USD experience.

Work-Life Balance

Our educator courses offer flexible course formats and class times to help you balance your work, USD studies, and family life.