Houston Christian University Catalog

Reading (EDRE) Course Descriptions

  • EDRE 4320 Teaching Reading through Children’s Literature

    Prerequisite(s): Admission to Educator Preparation Program

    Students in this course will be introduced to the best examples in literature for children. The student will gain an in-depth knowledge of the major genres of children’s literature, how to critically evaluate books using specific criteria, and how to make use of that knowledge in extending pupil skills in developmental reading as well as the creation of lifetime reading habits. Students also become familiar with the lives and works of major authors and illustrators of works for children.

  • EDRE 4330 Teaching Content Area Reading Skills

    Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Educator Preparation Program

    Students in this course will explore methods for teaching reading in the content areas. Topics will include assessment that leads to data informed decisions; comprehension skills in content areas; readability and material suitability; study skills; vocabulary development and instruction, the multifaceted knowledge of word knowledge; appropriate strategies for before, during and after reading; the role of fluency in comprehension and strategies to improve fluency, reading efficiency; grouping procedures in a multi-tiered approach; and lesson design that differentiates based on student need.

  • EDRE 4350 Reading and the Language Arts

    Prerequisite(s): EDUC 4301 or EDUC 4311
    Corequisite(s): EDRE 4360

    This course includes an analysis of the development of writing and spelling for grades 2-8 and the use of differentiated instruction. The use of assessment and data driven decision making for instruction are covered. The style of instruction will focus on effective teaching: (1) Explicit instruction with modeling, (2) Systematic instruction and scaffolding, (3) Multiple opportunities for independent practice and application, (4) Immediate affirmative & corrective feedback, and (5) On-going progress monitoring and a multi-tiered system of support. Both on-campus and field experiences are included. It must be completed before clinical teaching.

  • EDRE 4351 Emergent Literacy

    Prerequisite(s): Admission to Educator Preparation Program

    This course includes an analysis of the development of reading, speaking, listening, thinking and writing visualizing, and visually representing as it applies to the young child. The five critical components of reading instruction (phonemic awareness, phonics and word study, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension) frame the study of the emergent learner. The course also includes a multi-tiered approach to classroom instruction: being able to differentiate instruction as needed and gather assessment data that will inform instructional decisions.

  • EDRE 4360 Developing and Teaching Literacy

    Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Educator Preparation Program
    Corequisite(s): EDRE 4350

    Included in this course are methods and materials for teaching developmental reading to children in school settings from grades Pre-K to 8. The course emphasizes competence in assessing specific strengths and weaknesses in the reading skills of children, differentiation in instruction, lesson planning in order to prepare learning activities appropriate to children’s needs, and interaction with children in such a way that learning is maximized. It includes a multi-tiered approach to meet the various needs of students along with assessment that drives instructional decisions. It builds on the concepts from emergent literacy (EDRE 4351) that stress the five critical components of reading instruction and the understanding of effective instruction (five features). Both on-campus activities and field experiences are included. This course must be completed before student teaching.

  • EDRE 4381 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.

  • EDRE 5181 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.

  • EDRE 5182 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.

  • EDRE 5301 Advanced Developmental Reading

    Prerequisite: None

    This course examines developmental reading programs for grades pre-school through college. Skill in recognizing various stages in the development of reading processes and an analysis of the total reading program, emphasizing procedures for improvement, is developed.

  • EDRE 5304 Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Causes of reading difficulties along with the use of diagnostic evaluation to select appropriate instructional materials and strategies for correction are explored.

  • EDRE 5310 Reading & Writing for Pre-Adolescents

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Included in this course are methods and materials for teaching developmental reading to children in elementary school settings. The course emphasizes competence in assessing specific strengths and weaknesses in the reading skills of children, lesson planning in order to prepare learning activities appropriate to children’s needs, and interacting with children in such a way that learning is maximized. Both on-campus activities and field experiences are included. This course is a prerequisite for student teaching.

  • EDRE 5320 Teaching Reading through Children’s Literature

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course will enable professional educators to construct and evaluate reading programs at all levels. Graduate students taking this course will gain an in-depth knowledge of the major genres of children’s literature and how to critically evaluate books using specific criteria. The course will provide educators with the skills and experience necessary to enrich their reading instruction, as well as the creation of lifetime reading habits. Students will explore the lives and works of major authors and illustrators of works for children and their impact on this area of reading education, as well as exploring the use of multicultural literature.

  • EDRE 5330 Content Area Reading

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course will introduce professional educators (and those seeking initial certification) to specific methods for teaching reading in content areas. Students will study assessment procedures, comprehension skills in content areas, readability and materials suitability, study skills, vocabulary development, developing reading rate flexibility, reading efficiency, grouping procedures, and lesson design. Using these experiences, students will learn to write formal lesson plans or prepare units of study for content areas that incorporate reading instruction. Students will learn to evaluate the effectiveness of reading strategies and how to make improvements.

  • EDRE 5351 Emergent Literacy

    Prerequisite(s): Admission to Teacher Education

    In this course students examine emergent literacy and explore ways to encourage the development of initial literacy. A wide variety of topics pertaining to the emergent reader and writer are included. (Offered also as EDEC 5351, and EDSP 5351.)

  • EDRE 5352 Literacy in the Secondary Schools

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course provides students with opportunities to use literacy as a tool to meet a broad range of personal, social, and curricular functions as well as real-world applications. It stresses comprehension strategies, metacognition, reflection and positive attitudes toward literacy.

  • EDRE 5381 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.

  • EDRE 6181 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.

  • EDRE 6281 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.

  • EDRE 6304 Clinical Practice in Reading Education

    Prerequisite: EDRE 5304

    Activities are designed to give the student clinical experience in the application of theoretical models of diagnosis and remediation through fieldwork assignments with appropriate required TEA standards documentation.

  • EDRE 6305 Reading: A Linguistic Perspective

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course examines reading within the framework of literacy development. Linguistic and psychological perspectives toward reading as well as their relationship to the comprehensive process are emphasized.

  • EDRE 6381 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.