TL 313 - Language Development and Emerging Literacy
2023 Fall Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 2661
Course Information
You are responsible for knowing this material, so please read carefully. Any changes will be announced in a Blackboard Announcement. You will be responsible for any changes. Your continued enrollment in this course is your implicit agreement to abide by the requirements of this class.
Instructor Information
Dr. Grace Keengwe
Email: grace.keengwe@und.edu
Office: ED 276
2023 Fall Office Hours:
Monday & Tuesday 9 - 11 am CST
The instructor will be available during appointed Office Zoom hours to answer questions, provide feedback, and offer advice.
https://und.zoom.us/j/93338729134?pwd=bi9vaS9vdFBJU2RybVVSWXcyd0RCQT09
Meeting ID: 933 3872 9134
Passcode: 238700
Office Phone: 701-777-3378
About the Professor
For information about your instructor, view the “Week 1: Welcome Video and Getting Started and Professor’s bio information”.
Course Description
Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing this course, you should be able to:
- Describe the influence of culture and bilingualism on language development, communication styles, and interpersonal interactions. (InTASC # 1,2,7, 8: CAEP Standard: 1.3, 1.4)
- Describe and assess typical and atypical patterns of oral language acquisition in children from birth to age 7 and apply this information to curriculum development. (InTASC # 1,2,4,7, 8: CAEP Standard: 1.3, 1.4)
- Explain constructivist and sociolinguistic learning theories of language learning and the relationship of language to thinking and learning. (InTASC # 1,7, 8: CAEP Standard: 1.3)
- Describe the role of the adult in supporting oral language development among typically and atypically developing children. (InTASC # 1,2,4,7, 8: CAEP Standard: 1.3, 1.4)
- Demonstrate knowledge of cultural, class, and gender differences in verbal and nonverbal communication and how home language experiences influence these. (InTASC # 1,2,7, 8: CAEP Standard: 1.3, 1.4)
- Describe second language acquisition processes and the role of teachers, peers, and classroom environments, and parents and families in facilitating these. (InTASC # 1,2,3,4,7, 8: CAEP Standard: 1.3, 1.4)
- Demonstrate an understanding of the similarities and connection between oral and written language acquisition. (InTASC # 1,4,7, 8: CAEP Standard: 1.3, 1.4)
- Describe the typical development sequence of children’s knowledge of written language including: knowledge about the forms of print, knowledge about how to encode language in written form, knowledge about functions of written language, knowledge about the structure of text knowledge about the more formal nature of written text. (InTASC # 1,3,4,7, 8: CAEP Standard: 1.3, 1.4)
- Describe the typical developmental sequence of children’s knowledge of phonological awareness including phonemic awareness and its role in reading/writing development. (InTASC # 1,3,4,7, 8: CAEP Standard: 1.3, 1.4)
- Describe the role of word identification/word analysis including the study of onsets and rimes, sight words, and word analogy. (InTASC # 1,3,4,7, 8: CAEP Standard: 1.3, 1.4)
- Observe and analyze emergent literacy within children’s spontaneous play, storytelling, reading, writing, and drawing experiences. (InTASC # 1,3,4,6,8: CAEP Standard: 1.3, 1.4)
- Use state and national standards in reading and language arts, including those of IRA and NCTE, and the ND DPI. (InTASC # 4,5,6,7,8: CAEP Standard: 1.3)
- Create and implement developmentally appropriate, standards-based language and literacy lesson plans which takes into account child and family interests, class, culture, and structure, and includes; fiction and nonfiction literature, wordless picture books, literacy play props, appropriate shared reading and book reading experiences, and developmentally appropriate use of technology to support language and literacy development. (InTASC # 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8: CAEP Standard: 1.1,1.2, 1.4)
- Apply concepts on language and literacy in planning and implementing emergent literacy activities. (InTASC # 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8: CAEP Standard: 1.1, 1.4)
- Discuss the role of technology in promoting oral and written language development. (InTASC # 3,5,6,7,8: CAEP Standard: 1.4, 1.5)
- Become familiar with a variety of methods of reflecting on and assessing their teaching practices that will include reflective writing, small group discussion, and formative assessment. (InTASC #6, 7, 8, 9: CAEP Standards: 1.2)
- Gain experience using data assessment data to plot student achievement and plan future learning experiences. InTASC #1,6,7,8,9: CAEP Standards: 1.2, 1.4, 1.5
Course Materials
Otto, B. (2018). Language Development in Early Childhood Education. Pearson, New York, NY.
Paperback copy: ISBN-13: 9780134552620
Other Readings
Additional readings may be assigned as necessary. They will be found in the corresponding weekly.
Technical Requirements/Assistance
Whether you’re taking courses in the classroom or online, it’s important to have the right technology and equipment. Visit the UND Technical Requirements webpage for more information. Students are expected to use their official UND email in the course. For technical assistance, please contact UND Technical Support at 701.777.2222. Visit the University Information Technologies (UIT) website for their hours, help documents and other resources.
Minimum Technical Skills Needed
In order to succeed in this course, at a minimum, you should be able to:
- Navigate in and use basic Blackboard functions
- Download and open electronic documents
- Create, save, and upload/attach electronic documents
- Send, receive, and manage email
Course Logistics
Access and Log in Information
This course was developed and will be facilitated utilizing Blackboard. To get started with the course, please go to: http://blackboard.UND.edu and log in with your NDUS.Identifier, Username and Password. If you do not know your NDUS Identifier or have forgotten your password, please visit Your NDUS Account page on the UIT website.
Course Overview
The course content is organized into 16 weeks. Each week contains learning objectives, to do list, readings/videos, assignments, and a variety of links to articles, video/audio files, and other instructional resources selected to enhance the learning experience and support the various topics. Discussions, blogs, wikis, surveys, quizzes, tests and assignments will be used as necessary to assess your comprehension and application of those materials.
How Students Should Proceed Each Week for Class Activities
On the left side course menu in Blackboard there is a “Lessons” tab. Inside Lessons you will find all the required readings, videos, and assignments/activities for the week. An overview of each week can be found in Blackboard under the Schedule tab.
Resources
Many services are available to UND students such as writing assistance from the UND Writing Center, free online tutoring from Smarthinking, and more. Visit the Student Resources page for more information. Students also have access to the UND Student Resource Site via Blackboard. It is recommended that you become familiar with the tools and tutorials within the site to better equip you in navigating the course.
Course Requirements/Expectations
- The student will review the syllabus and course schedule posted in Blackboard.
- The student will access and follow all course instructions found in the Lessons area of the Blackboard course.
- Students will complete and submit assignments, exams, quizzes, etc. by the dated noted in Blackboard and on the course schedule. We will use Central Standard Time for due dates and times.
- Students will participate fully and in a timely manner to get the benefit of learning from instructor and/or peers.
Other Information
- Weekly lessons will be posted each Monday by noon (central time). Instructions will be given weekly as to what is required. They will be on blackboard under Lessons and be organized as follows:
- Lesson objectives
- To do list
- Readings/videos
- Instructor notes (sometimes)
- Lesson assignments (discussions, projects or activities)
- You will have 1 week to complete the weekly lessons. All lesson assignments will need to be submitted by Monday 8 a.m. (central time).
- Most of these assignments will be submitted electronically using Blackboard. Please refrain from sending assignments as email attachments.
- When I need to communicate with students as a whole group, I will post an announcement through Blackboard. To stay informed, I recommend checking the announcement board at least daily.
- When I need to communicate with students individually, I will do so through email on Blackboard. To ensure you are receiving my emails, make sure your email address on Blackboard is correct. If you need to change where your email goes you will need to follow the steps in this knowledge article to set up an email forward
- In this online course students are responsible for all information that is sent electronically.
- Again there is an FAQ discussion board in the class website. This is for general questions about the course. Please should you have a question that is not personal please post your question here and I will answer or should anyone know the answer, please feel free to respond.
Communication
Announcements
Announcements will be posted in Blackboard on a regular basis. Be sure to check the class announcements regularly as they will contain important information about class assignments and other class matters.
You are encouraged to post your questions about the course in the FAQs discussion board forum in the Blackboard site. This is an open forum in which you and your classmates are encouraged to answer each other’s questions. But, if you need to contact me directly, check the Faculty tab in Blackboard or the syllabus for my contact information. I will respond back to you within 48 hours during the week or weekend.
Netiquette
When participating in (an online) class it is important to interact with your peers in an appropriate manner. Always use professional language (no netspeak) in your postings and emails. Please be respectful of your classmates at all times even if you disagree with their ideas.
Assessment & Grading
This course is made up of a series of assignments and assessments to assist you in achieving the course learning objectives/outcomes. In this course your learning will be assessed in the following ways:
13 Discussion Board Activities @ 10 points each (130 points)
As this is an asynchronous, online course your participation in the weekly discussions will be an integral part of your grade. Your posts should demonstrate that you have read the assigned readings and have a clear understanding of the materials. You should provide evidence from the readings and/or other sources to support your arguments. You may also draw on your own personal experiences.
Each week you will need to make your first post to the discussion activity by Thursday, midnight. Then contribute at least two additional posts, responding to different classmates, by Monday 8:30 a.m. (central time). Discussion/weekly activities are 10 points each.
13 Weekly Activities @ 10 points each (130 points)
Instructor will post various activities to be completed weekly.
Three Field Experience (160 points)
This course does include three field experiences of a preschool or kindergarten or first grade child. You will need to find a child with whom you can complete this in your own time. Because of COVID this assignment will be modified as necessary to meet student’s needs.
Grading Breakdown
Assignment Points
13 Discussion Boards (10 points each) 130 Points
13 Weekly Activities (10 points each) 130 Points
3 Field experience Projects 160 Points
Total: 420 Points
Grading Scale
400 - 420 = A
380 - 399 = B
360 - 379 = C
340 -359 = D
0 - 339 = F
Course Evaluation
Around the middle of the semester, we will complete a formative assessment to see how the course is going. Near the end of the semester, you will be asked to complete an online course evaluation form (SELFI). Your feedback on the course is extremely valuable to me. I read my students’ comments carefully and use them to improve the course the next time I teach it.
- When the time comes, please let me know which aspects of the course helped you learn—and which aspects might be modified to help future students learn more effectively.
- Please note that the course evaluations are anonymous and that I won’t see the results until after the grades for the course are submitted, allowing you to provide honest and constructive feedback.
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And if you have feedback to offer before the end of the semester, please let me know.
Course Policies
Late Work
All assignments must be submitted by the due dates posted in the course. The acceptance of late assignments is at the discretion of the instructor, provided that you contact the instructor before the due date and ask for an extension. A 1 point deduction will be made for each day the assignment is late. All requirements for this course must be completed during the course dates.
Instructor Responsibilities and Feedback
- All weekly work will be graded within one week from when it was due.
- The instructor will be available during appointed Office Zoom hours to answer questions, provide feedback, and offer advice.
Class Participation
Students are required to login regularly to the online class site. Students are also required to participate in all class activities such as discussion boards, wikis, etc.
Incompletes
It is expected that students will complete all requirements for a course during the time frame of the course. For reasons beyond a student’s control, and upon request by the student or on behalf of the student, an incomplete grade may be assigned by the instructor when there is reasonable certainty the student will successfully complete the course without retaking it. The mark “I,” Incomplete, will be assigned only to the student who has been in attendance and has done satisfactory work up to a time within four weeks of the close of the semester, including the examination period, and whose work is incomplete for reasons satisfactory to his or her instructor. More information regarding UND’s Incomplete policy can be found on The Grading System webpage.
University of North Dakota Policies & Resources
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a serious matter, and any deviations from appropriate behavior will be dealt with strongly. At the discretion of the professor, situations of concern may be dealt with as a scholastic matter or a disciplinary matter.
As a scholastic matter, the professor has the discretion to determine appropriate penalties for the student’s workload or grade, but the situation may be resolved without involving many individuals. An alternative is to treat the situation as a disciplinary matter, which can result in suspension from the University, or have lesser penalties. Be aware that I view this as a very serious matter and will have little tolerance and/or sympathy for questionable practices. A student who attempts to obtain credit for work that is not their own (whether that be on a paper, quiz, homework assignment, exam, etc.) will likely receive a failing grade for that item of work, and at the professor’s discretion, may also receive a failing grade in the course. For more information read the Code of Student Life.
Access and Opportunity, Disability Support, & Medical Services
The University of North Dakota is committed to providing equal access to students with documented disabilities. To ensure access to this class and your program, please contact Disability Services for Students (DSS) to engage in a confidential discussion about accommodations for the classroom and clinical settings. Accommodations are not provided retroactively. Students are encouraged to register with DSS at the start of their program. More information can be obtained by email UND.dss@UND.edu or by phone at 701.777.2664.
COVID-19
UND is committed to maintaining a safe learning environment while providing quality learning experiences for our students. COVID-19’s continued presence within our UND community may necessitate changes in classroom management as the academic year progresses. As such, UND asks students and instructors to be flexible when necessary to promote a safe environment for learning. Please do not attend an in-person class or lab if you are feeling ill, particularly if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been directed by health professionals to quarantine or isolate. If you are not able to attend class or lab, please notify your instructor as soon as possible and discuss options for making up any missed work in order to ensure your ability to succeed in the course. If you will have an extended absence due to serious illness or other uncontrollable circumstances, you may request an absence notification through the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Similarly, if your instructor is ill they may need to cancel class or temporarily move your course to online delivery to ensure that you are able to complete the course successfully. Instructors may require students to wear masks in the classroom or in the laboratory as a preventative measure designed to facilitate uninterrupted classroom engagement and to facilitate health and safety in the classroom. If your instructor does require masks in class or in a laboratory, you are expected to comply with that request.
UND also strongly encourages all members of the University community, including students, to get vaccinated, seek out testing when needed, and model positive behavior both on- and off-campus to foster a healthy and safe learning environment for all students. Individuals who would like to discuss disability accommodations regarding masks should contact the Disability Services for Students (DSS) office at 701.777.2664 or UND.dss@UND.edu. Individuals who are unable to wear a mask due to a sincerely held religious belief should contact the UND Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office at 701.777.4171 or UND.EO.TitleIX@UND.edu.
Religious Accommodations
UND offers religious accommodations, which are reasonable changes in the academic environment that enable a student to practice or observe a sincerely held religious belief without undue hardship on the University. Examples include time for prayer or the ability to attend religious events or observe a religious holiday. To request an accommodation, complete the student religious accommodation request form. If you have any questions, you may contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office.
Pregnancy Accommodations
Students who need assistance with academic adjustments related to pregnancy or childbirth may contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office or Academic Affairs to learn about your options. Additional information and services may be found at Pregnancy Resources.
Notice of Nondiscrimination
It is the policy of the University of North Dakota that no person shall be discriminated against because of race, religion, age, color, gender, disability, national origin, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, veteran’s status, or political belief or affiliation and the equal opportunity and access to facilities shall be available to all. Concerns regarding Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, ADA, and Section 504 may be addressed to Donna Smith, Assistant Vice President for Equal Opportunity & Title IX and Title IX/ADA Coordinator, 102 Twamley Hall, 701.777.4171, UND.EO.TitleIX@UND.edu or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Dept. of Education, 230 S. Dearborn St., 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604 or any other federal agency.
Reporting of Discrimination, Harassment, or Sexual Misconduct
If you or a friend has experienced sexual misconduct, such as sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, please contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office or UND’s Title IX Coordinator, Donna Smith, for assistance: 701.777.4171; donna.smith@UND.edu; or visit the Title IX webpage. You may also contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX office if you or a friend has experienced discrimination or harassment based on a protected class, such as race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, pregnancy, marital or parental status, veteran's status, or political belief or affiliation.
Faculty Reporting Obligations Regarding Discrimination, Harassment, or Sexual Misconduct
It is important for students to understand that faculty are required to share with UND’s Title IX Coordinator any incidents of sexual misconduct or of discrimination or harassment based on a protected class that they become aware of, even if those incidents occurred in the past or are disclosed as part of a class assignment. This does not mean an investigation will occur if the student does not want that, but it does allow UND to provide resources to help the student continue to be successful at UND. If you have been impacted by discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct, you can find information about confidential support services on the Equal Opportunity & Title IX webpage..
UND Cares Program
How to Seek Help When in Distress
We know that while college is a wonderful time for most students, however, some students may struggle or have issues that arise. You may experience students in distress on campus, in your classroom, in your home, and within residence halls. Distressed students may initially seek assistance from faculty, staff members, their parents, and other students. In addition to the support we can provide to each other, there are also professional support services available to students through the Dean of Students and University Counseling Center. Both staffs are available to consult with you about getting help or providing a friend with the help that he or she may need. For more additional information, please visit the UND Cares Program Webpage.
How to Recognize When a Student is in Distress
The term “distressed” can mean any of the following:
- Student has significant changes in eating, sleeping, grooming, spending, or other daily activities.
- Student has cut off or minimized contact with family or friends.
- Student has significant changes in performance or involvement in academics, sports, extracurricular, or social activities.
- Student describes problems (missing class, not remembering, destructive behavior) that result from experiences with drinking or drugs.
- Student is acting withdrawn, volatile, tearful, etc.
- Student is acting out of character or different than usual.
- Student is talking explicitly about hopelessness or suicide.
- Student has difficulty concentrating or difficulty carrying on a normal conversation.
- Student has excessive dependence on others for company or support.
- Student reports feeling out of control of one’s emotions, thoughts, or behaviors.
Land Acknowledgement Statement
Today, the University of North Dakota rests on the ancestral lands of the Pembina and Red Lake Bands of Ojibwe and the Dakota Oyate - presently existing as composite parts of the Red Lake, Turtle Mountain, White Earth Bands, and the Dakota Tribes of Minnesota and North Dakota. We acknowledge the people who resided here for generations and recognize that the spirit of the Ojibwe and Oyate people permeate this land. As a university community, we will continue to build upon our relations with the First Nations of the State of North Dakota - the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Nation, Spirit Lake Nation, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
Additional Resources
It is my goal to foster an environment of mutual respect in which everyone feels comfortable voicing their opinions, sharing their stories, and learning about potentially heavy or personally relevant material. If, at any point, you feel like the information covered in this class elicits thoughts, feelings, or concerns that you would like to discuss further, don’t hesitate to reach out to me, or the UND Counseling Center (701-777-2127).
Further, if you experience extenuating circumstances, sexual violence, identity-based harm, or any other personal crisis during the semester, don’t hesitate to reach out to me so we can provide academic assistance and help you in this course, and put you in contact with the appropriate resources and services (if needed).
- UND Care Team: 701-777-2664 (8:00 AM to 4:30 PM M-F) or 701-777-3491 (evenings and weekends)
- UND Campus Police: 701-777-3491·UND Student Health: 701-777-4500
- UND Title IX Resources
- Abuse and Rape Crisis Hotline (CVIC): 701-746-8900 (24 hours)
- Grand Forks Police Department: 701-787-8000 (24 hours)
- Emergency Room: 701-780-5280
- UND Student Diversity and Inclusion: 701-777-6985
- Food For Thought Pantry: (Wilkerson Commons Room 169; 701-777-4200)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (1-800-273-8255)