| Course Number: | EDX 5710 S |
| Instructor: | Laura King, M.A. |
| Location: | Online using Google Suite. Synchronous online meetings plus asynchronous independent work. |
| Dates and Times: | Jul 01 - Dec 12, 2025. PART 1: July 1 - August 8, weekly virtual sessions (90-120 min; flexible calendar); Virtual Orientation to the Course: July 1, 2025, 10:30-11:30am or July 1, 6:30-7:30 pm (Google Meets link will be sent to course participants; if not possible, alternative time can be arranged with instructor in advance of course beginning). PART 2: Monthly virtual sessions (6-8pm) in September/October/ November/December, 2025 (schedule built with group input); Part 2 Completed by December 12, 2025) |
| Credits: | 4 (four) Graduate Credits |
| Tuition: | $1,593 |
What is meant by this Science of Reading term - Structured Literacy (SL)? How does SL differ from other instructional approaches? Why do students benefit from SL, especially those who are struggling with literacy? How can an interventionist (specialist or classroom teacher) incorporate SL into current practice without getting overwhelmed? This course will address these and other questions, always with student learning at the center. Each element of structured literacy will be discussed (phonology, sound-symbol association, syllables, morphology, syntax, semantics), as well as the principles that guide how the elements are taught (systematic/cumulative, explicit, diagnostic). Additionally, the course will address how SL aligns with a range of student needs across all tiers, showing how it fits into a school's MTSS or RTI model. Throughout, participants will engage in application activities that align with real-world issues we grapple with every day. By the course’s end, participants will demonstrate their current understanding of structured literacy both in theory and in application/practice. (Note: While there are many commercial Structured Literacy-aligned programs, this course does not promote one over the other; rather it focuses on science of reading/research-based features and principles that guide them. Participants may reference commercial programs in assignments when connecting to course content.)
Audience: Course is designed for general K-6 educators, Literacy Interventionists & K-12 specialists, as well as others focused on targeted, small group literacy instruction, all with an earned Bachelor's Degree.
Course Goals:
Course Objectives:
By end of course, Students will be able to -
PART 1: Participants will receive an intro email mid-June, which will have a link to the intro kick-off session on July 1. A Sign-up calendar will be built for weekly on-line sessions based on students’ availability. Part 1 completed by August 15.
PART 2: Course will continue, with monthly virtual check-in sessions (SEPT/OCT/ NOV/DEC) focused on application of PART 1 content in their instructional settings. Grades submitted no later than 12/16/25.
Part One: Weeks of -
After August 8 (reflection)
Asynchronous module
Synchronous/Online Session
Part Two: Monthly -
Prior to Online Session
Synchronous/Online Session
Monthly sessions will serve as an ongoing learning community for course participants.
Laura King, M.A., has been a teacher of children and adults since 1994. She was a Vermont Writing Project Fellow in 1996 and achieved National Board Certification in 2005. Staying current with research- and evidence-based literacy practices is a cornerstone of her instruction, as she believes knowledgeable teachers are the most important contribution to a child’s education. Currently she is a Facilitator of Teaching and Learning for RNESU.
Required Texts are not included in the course tuition.
Structured literacy interventions: teaching students with reading difficulties, grades K-6. Spear-Swerling - The Guilford Press - 2022. (ISBN-10 : 1462548784; ISBN-13 : 978-1462548781) (Note - I anticipate a new edition soon. If released by June 2025, I will use both editions for the course).
802-353-1029
(802) 468-1325