Reading (RDG) (READ)

RDG 340. Reading: Overview and Strategies I. 3 Hours.

This course is an introduction to the teaching of reading. Current issues and theories will be addressed as well as methods for teaching word recognition, vocabulary and comprehension. The scope and sequence of reading skills and their relationship to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills will be studied.

RDG 341. Reading: Overview and Strategies II. 3 Hours.

This course expands and refines topics introduced in RDG 340. Specific emphasis will be given to techniques for teaching reading lessons, approaches to the teaching of reading and evaluation. Prerequisite: RDG 340.

RDG 342. Diagnostic Teaching of Reading. 3 Hours.

This course emphasizes techniques for individualizing instruction for children who experience minor difficulties in reading strategies for evaluating and providing for individual needs in the regular classroom will be stressed. Prerequisite: RDG 340.

RDG 343. Content Area Literacy Instruction for Secondary Students. 3 Hours.

This course equips content area teachers with research-based strategies and skill to incorporate reading into science, mathematics, and/or social studies. Students will utilize strategies for morphemic awareness, comprehension, vocabulary, and written expression to develop a unit of study based on the TEKS for a subject area of choice. Additionally, students will assess curriculum materials and learn about additional tools and accommodations that teachers use to bridge student reading deficits to allow learning in the content area how to help their students learn the material presented.

RDG 344. Reading Comprehension. 3 Hours.

This course will address the research, strategies, and materials related to teaching reading comprehension. Students will evaluate reading programs and study techniques used in meeting the comprehension needs of readers. Prerequisite: RDG 340.

RDG 346. Word Recognition. 3 Hours.

This course addresses strategies for helping children achieve reading fluency through effective and efficient word identification. Research, strategies, and materials related to word recognition will be examined. Prerequisite: RDG 340.

RDG 349. Foundations of Literacy Development and Instruction. 3 Hours.

This course introduces students to the theoretical, developmental, and research-based foundations of literacy instruction. Emphasis is placed on the science of teaching reading, the interrelationships among listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and the developmental continuum of literacy learning across EC-6, with writing positioned as a complementary process that supports language development and demonstrates understanding. Students develop a shared professional language for literacy, examine evidence-based instructional principles, and explore the purposes and types of literacy assessment. This course establishes the conceptual framework that supports instructional decision-making in subsequent courses.

RDG 350. Foundations of Reading I- Early Literacy Development. 3 Hours.

This course focuses on instructional practices for developing foundational reading skills. Students learn to design and deliver explicit, systematic instruction in oral language, phonological and phonemic awareness, and phonics, with attention to differentiation and support for English learners. Emphasis is placed on assessment-informed instruction, decoding-encoding reciprocity, and the role of foundational skills in accurate and automatic word reading. Candidates apply theory to practice through instructional planning, analysis of student work, and targeted teaching strategies. Prerequisite: Must be admitted to the Teacher Preparation Program.

RDG 352. Foundations of Reading II- Intermediate Literacy Development. 3 Hours.

This course emphasizes instruction that supports meaning-making through reading. Students examine research-based strategies for developing vocabulary, reading fluency, and comprehension across literary and informational texts, with explicit attention to writing and academic discussion as evidence of comprehension and depth of understanding. Instructional planning focuses on text complexity, disciplinary literacy, metacognitive strategies, and writing as evidence of comprehension. Candidates design lessons that integrate vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension instruction and analyze student responses to guide instructional decisions. Prerequisites: RDG 349 & RDG 350.

RDG 354. Applied Literacy Assessment and Intervention. 3 Hours.

This is the final course of a four course reading series. This course focuses on understanding literacy assessment and how to use assessment data to make instructional decisions. This course also builds understanding of Multi-Tiered Support Systems to provide targeted intervention. Students are released to take the Science of Teaching Reading course after this course. Prerequisite: RDG 349, RDG 350, RDG 352, Admission to TPP.

RDG 489. Individual Study. 3 Hours.

This course provides individual instruction. Students may repeat the course when topics vary. Prerequisite: Requires a student contract approved by the instructor and dean.

RDG 501. Fundamentals of Early Literacy Instruction. 3 Hours.

The purpose of this course is to provide EC-6 teacher candidates with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide early literacy instruction to students that is aligned to the Science of Teaching Reading. Students will develop competency in the components of early literacy including letter naming fluency, oral language development, phonological awareness, phonics, comprehension, vocabulary development, spelling, and fluency. A variety of research-based strategies will be used to create lesson plans that reflect diverse and equitable practices and differentiate by student need.

RDG 560. Literacy Leadership and School Improvement. 3 Hours.

Students will investigate how a Reading Specialist is involved as a literacy leader at the classroom, campus and district levels to impact change aligned with research-based literacy instruction. In doing so, students will examine state data, interview campus stakeholders about strengths/weaknesses in campus data, and address deficiencies by developing a campus improvement plan (may include a master schedule/RtI revision) and professional development that aligns with the plan.

RDG 561. Diagnosis and Intervention for Language-Based Reading Disabilities. 3 Hours.

Students will learn about language-based disabilities including dyslexia and dysgraphia and investigate research-based approaches to assessment, instruction and resources. Additionally, students will address how HB3 has affected the way Texas approaches dyslexia screening and instruction.

RDG 562. Diagnostic and Prescriptive Reading for Elementary Students. 3 Hours.

This course provides a framework for assessing students in all components of reading instruction aligned to the Science of Teaching Reading in order to gather data regarding strengths and weaknesses in literacy development in elementary students. Students will practice effective assessment techniques, data analysis and incorporate research-based strategies for addressing deficits or enhancing strengths into intervention lesson planning to scaffold student learning. Prerequisite: Must be admitted into Alternative Certification Program or Reading Specialist Program.

RDG 563. Content Area Literacy Instruction. 3 Hours.

This course equips content area teachers with research-based strategies and skill to incorporate reading into science, mathematics and/or social studies. Students will utilize strategies for morphemic awareness, comprehension, vocabulary and written expression to develop a unit of study based on the TEKS for a subject area of choice. Additionally students will assess curriculum materials and learn about additional tools and accommodations that teachers use to bridge student reading deficits to allow learning in the content area how to help their students learn the material presented.

RDG 589. Individual Study. 3 Hours.

This course provides individual instruction. Students may repeat the course when topics vary. Prerequisite: Requires a student contract approved by the instructor and dean.

RDG 597. Special Topics in Reading. 3 Hours.

This course will address research, strategies, and materials related to literacy development in the upper elementary grades. As guided by the TEKS in these grade levels, students will practice lesson planning incorporating research-based strategies for enhancing comprehension, vocabulary, written expression, morphemic awareness, spelling, fluency and advanced phonics.

READ 089. Independent Study in Developmental Reading. 3 Hours.

This course provides individual instruction. Students may repeat the course when topics vary. Prerequisite: Requires a student contract approved by the instructor and dean.