Enhancing Comprehension in Grades 2-5 with Science of Reading

(Grades 2-5) / Flex Course

PDI Course Number: 162T02 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC42610


Course Description

Do you find yourself wondering how to harness the principles of reading science to help students more thoroughly engage in the reading process so that they can better comprehend what they are reading? While many students may first appear to be engaged in the reading process, the fact is that once you dig deeper, you may find that a good number of students fail to connect with the text. This online course for teachers takes a deep dive into a variety of best practices based on the science of reading to help educators in grades 2-5 guide their students to greater comprehension. The course begins with an in-depth overview of the science of reading — what it is (including an in-depth examination of Scarborough’s Reading Rope), the data behind it, and how it can be harnessed to get your readers on the path to greater comprehension. Teachers will explore the “Big 5” strategies of reading comprehension, taking a deep dive into main idea and details, sequencing, the 5Ws- and H framework, inferring and predicting, and vocabulary — all through a science of reading lens. Teachers will learn how to leverage the science of reading as they guide their students to use their critical-thinking skills to question and sequence text, sort through text structures, and tap into their background knowledge as they use robust vocabulary to make inferences and predictions across fiction and nonfiction texts. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will feel more confident in their quest to leverage best science of reading practices as they guide their students to greater comprehension so that they can more easily make the transition from learning to read to reading to learn. This online professional development course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from University of California San Diego (UCSD) Division of Extended Studies. For detailed information on receiving university credit for your PDI professional development course, visit our credit page.

Need help? Kimya Nabavi, PDI Program Coordinator, is ready to assist.


Enrollment Options

Course Only

$99 with the Flash Sale discount

Course with Credit from UCSD

$271 with the Flash Sale discount

This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units or 5 quarter units of graduate-level credit from UCSD.

You have up to one year from the date you are enrolled to complete a flex course.


View the online course syllabus.

Print our customized course approval form to share with your school district.


TOPICAL OUTLINE

UCSD Course Number: EDUC42610

Unit One

  • Overview of the Science of Reading
  • Scarborough’s Reading Rope
  • The Road to Comprehension
  • Assignment #1: Write an autobiography
  • Test #1

Unit Two

  • The “Big 5” Components of Reading Comprehension
  • Exploring Main Idea and Details with a Science of Reading Lens
  • Main Idea and Details of Informational and Narrative Text
  • Assignment #2: Article reflection
  • Test #2

Unit Three

  • An Introduction to Sequencing
  • The Role of Sequence in Building Comprehension
  • Sequencing with Fiction and Nonfiction Materials
  • Assignment #3: Share your expertise
  • Test #3

Unit Four

  • Breaking Down the 5Ws and H Framework
  • Building Comprehension with Questioning Strategies
  • Comprehending Fiction and Nonfiction Using the 5Ws and H Framework and More!
  • Test #4

Unit Five

  • Building Comprehension with Inferences and Predictions
  • The Impact of Prior Knowledge on Inferring and Predicting
  • Student Challenges with Inferring and Predicting
  • Test #5

Unit Six

  • Understanding Vocabulary through a Science of Reading Lens
  • Vocabulary’s Role in Reading Comprehension
  • Exploring Vocabulary with Fiction and Nonfiction Materials
  • Assignment #4: Design a reading comprehension lesson plan
  • Assignment #5: Course Reflection

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