3.00 Credits
The first of three pedagogy courses in the English, Secondary Certification 7-12 major, this course introduces pre-service English teachers to the theory and practice of teaching English language arts in the secondary schools. The special focus of the course (teaching writing) provides opportunities for students to study composition and curriculum theory, engage in effective, hands-on, literacy practices in partnered secondary classrooms, and write practical lesson plans that address NCTE and INTASC standards for process writing, multimodal composition, grammar and rhetoric, language acquisition, instructional technology, diversity, differentiation, assessment, and reflection. This course establishes the foundation required for students to be successful in the two pedagogy courses that follow, and more broadly, in their own teaching practice as future educators. This course is designed to meet the Stage 2 Field Experience Competencies outlined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. A field placement is assigned, and the completion of field hours is required. All field clearances are required to be submitted to the Office of Partnerships, Professional Experiences and Outreach prior to the end of the first week of the semester. Failure to submit clearances as required will result in a withdrawal from the course and the field placement.