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Unit of study_

EDUP4076: English: Being Critically Literate

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit of study focuses on the use of literary texts in the classroom through pedagogy that combines the communicative modes of speaking, listening, reading, writing, viewing and representing. Picture books, novels, plays and poetry as well as texts of popular culture will be used as the basis of teaching the English curriculum to children in the middle years (NSW Stages 2 and 3, grades 3, 4, 5 and 6). The unit emphasis will be on developing children's critical understanding and imaginative writing through strategies that encourage creative responses to and close study of literary texts. You will develop pedagogic reasoning to inform planning of teaching experiences to suit all learners.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDUP4076
Academic unit Education
Credit points 4
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
138 credit points including EDUP3004 and EDUP3006 and EDUP3007 and EDUP3009 and EDUP3034
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Alyson Simpson, alyson.simpson@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Deb Brosseuk, debbie.brosseuk@sydney.edu.au
Rachel Yoo, rachel.yoo@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Literature circle presentation and reflection (individual work)
n/a
50% Week 06
Due date: 01 Apr 2022 at 23:00
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6 LO8 LO9
Assignment group assignment Pedagogical reasoning
n/a
50% Week 12
Due date: 20 May 2022 at 23:00
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Literature circle presentation and reflection: This assignment requires you to prepare and present a literature circle role activity in week 5 and then respond in writing in week 6 through critical reflection on your experience including peer feedback. You must select your novel from the list of Australian children’s literature provided in the unit outline.
  • Pedagogic reasoning - planning drama-informed responses to literary texts to develop writing: During semester students will participate in a letter exchange with primary school children.  After analyzing the letters and moderating the standards of achievement against NESA common grade scales, students work in small groups (3-4) to propose a sequence of learning strategies designed to scaffold development of written responses to literary texts. The plans must suit the range of learners represented by the letters. In workshops in week 12 student groups meets with their tutor for approx 15mins to discuss the scaffolded development of writing responses to literary texts they have designed to meet the needs of a range of learners. Probing questions will be asked to explore discipline knowledge about English, pedagogic reasoning about teaching writing through literature and the importance of teachers’ ethical responsibility. Group members must be prepared to contribute to all questions posed.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Teacher agency and critical literacy: overview and getting started Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 02 Literature circles part 1: reading, responding critically to and assessing reading of literary texts Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO9
Literature circles part 1: reading, responding critically to and assessing reading of literary texts Workshop (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO9
Week 03 Reading for pleasure Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Critical thinking Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO8 LO9
Week 05 Literature circles part 2: presentations Workshop (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO8 LO9
Week 06 Writing for Real: strategies to support diverse students' writing needs Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO9
Writing workshop and scaffolds Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO9
Week 07 Reader's theatre Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO9
Week 08 Writing in role Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO9
Week 10 Reading,writing and teaching poetry Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 11 Digital meets traditional responses to literature Workshop (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO9
Week 12 Pedagogical reasoning Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study. Further details are provided in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 4 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 80-100 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Australian children’s literature book list 2022 edup4076

 

Core Picture Book: Rose Blanche by Roberto Innocenti first used in week 2 and on other occasions.

Core novel:  (choose one from the following titles which have been matched to the text selection requirement areas from the English K-10 syllabus to use in assessment task 1.)

Coraline by Neil Gaiman [nonfiction, picture books, graphic novels]

Help Around the House by Morris Gleitzman [a wide range of cultural, social and gender perspectives, popular and youth cultures]

Aster’s Good Right Things by Kate Gordon [family fiction]

Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables Go Wild  by Tim Harris [humourous fiction]

The Forgotten Pearl by Belinda Murrell [historical fiction]

The Peacock Detectives by Carly Nugent [mystery]

His Name was Walter by Emily Rodda [texts which are widely regarded as quality literature]

Bindi by Kirli Saunders a new award winner**  [verse novel – Australian literature, including texts written from the perspective of and about Aboriginal experiences in Australia

All other readings for this unit can be accessed through the link to Leganto the new Library reading list service, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Rationalise a range of approaches to the teaching of talking and listening in a variety of situations to demonstrate their understanding of the importance of oracy;(2.1.1; 2.2.1, 2.3.1, 2.5.1)
  • LO2. Analyse diverse needs of children in Stages 2 and 3 and plan appropriate approaches to teaching English / literacy in response;(1.1.1, 1.2.1, 1.3.1, 1.5.1)
  • LO3. Synthesise effective teaching and learning principles and practices in English/literacy in Stages 2 and 3 to promote personal response to, and critical awareness of literary texts through reading and writing; (2.4.1, 3.1.1, 3.2.1, 3.3.1; 6.2.1)
  • LO4. Use appropriate criteria in selecting and adapting literary texts to encourage Stages 2 and 3 readers to respond critically to challenging ideas through dialogue and in writing; (3.4.1)
  • LO5. Apply different methods for teaching reading and writing and consider the importance of different elements needed for a balanced literacy program in Stage 2 and 3 classrooms; (2.1.1, 2.2.1)
  • LO6. Update and demonstrate knowledge of approaches to assessment and reporting in English in keeping with current policy and changes to national testing in Stages 2 and 3; (2.1.1; 5.1.1, 5.2.1; 6.2.1)
  • LO7. Design a series of lessons encompassing talking, listening, reading and writing activities for a particular group of students that exhibit clear plans and strategies for the inclusion of children across a diverse range of learners in a safe learning environment. The plans should demonstrate a range of levels of engagement with narrative texts with an emphasis on writing including personal and critical response and provide opportunities for oral and written feedback. (2.2.1; 4.1.1, 4.2.1, 4.4.1)
  • LO8. Demonstrate successful communication strategies working with peers to provide opportunities for interaction and feedback. (3.5.1, 3.6.1; 6.3.1; 7.1.1)
  • LO9. Demonstrate knowledge of complex narrative texts suitable for Stage 2 and 3 classrooms, their schematic structure and grammatical features, and demonstrate ability to use a metalanguage to teach explicitly about the narrative devices found in literary texts. (2.1.1, 2.2.1., 2.3.1)

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         
LO4         
LO5         
LO6         
LO7         
LO8         
LO9         

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
2.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
2.2.1. (Graduate) Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.
2.3.1. (Graduate) Use curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans.
2.5.1. (Graduate) Know and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and their application in teaching areas.
LO2
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
1.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students and how these may affect learning.
1.2.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching.
1.3.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds.
1.5.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of strategies for differentiating teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities.
LO3
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
2.4.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate broad knowledge of, understanding of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages.
3.1.1. (Graduate) Set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics.
3.2.1. (Graduate) Plan lesson sequences using knowledge of student learning, content and effective teaching strategies.
3.3.1. (Graduate) Include a range of teaching strategies.
6.2.1. (Graduate) Understand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers.
LO4
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
3.4.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.
LO5
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
2.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
2.2.1. (Graduate) Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.
LO6
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
2.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
5.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate understanding of assessment strategies, including informal and formal, diagnostic, formative and summative approaches to assess student learning.
5.2.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of providing timely and appropriate feedback to students about their learning.
6.2.1. (Graduate) Understand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers.
LO7
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
2.2.1. (Graduate) Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.
4.1.1. (Graduate) Identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.
4.2.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions.
4.4.1. (Graduate) Describe strategies that support students’ wellbeing and safety working within school and/or system, curriculum and legislative requirements.
LO8
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
2.2.1. (Graduate) Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.
4.1.1. (Graduate) Identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.
4.2.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions.
4.4.1. (Graduate) Describe strategies that support students’ wellbeing and safety working within school and/or system, curriculum and legislative requirements.
LO9
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
2.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
2.2.1. (Graduate) Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.
2.3.1. (Graduate) Use curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans.
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.1.1 T P A (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students and how these may affect learning.
1.2.1 T P A (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching.
1.3.1 T P A (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds.
1.5.1 P A (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of strategies for differentiating teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities.
2.1.1 T P A (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
2.2.1 T P A (Graduate) Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.
2.3.1 T P A (Graduate) Use curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans.
2.4.1 P (Graduate) Demonstrate broad knowledge of, understanding of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages.
2.5.1 T P A (Graduate) Know and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and their application in teaching areas.
3.1.1 T P A (Graduate) Set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics.
3.2.1 P A (Graduate) Plan lesson sequences using knowledge of student learning, content and effective teaching strategies.
3.3.1 T P A (Graduate) Include a range of teaching strategies.
3.4.1 T P A (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.
3.5.1 T P A (Graduate) Demonstrate a range of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to support student engagement.
3.6.1 P A (Graduate) Demonstrate broad knowledge of strategies that can be used to evaluate teaching programs to improve student learning.
4.1.1 T P A (Graduate) Identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.
4.2.1 T P A (Graduate) Demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions.
4.4.1 T P A (Graduate) Describe strategies that support students’ wellbeing and safety working within school and/or system, curriculum and legislative requirements.
5.1.1 T P A (Graduate) Demonstrate understanding of assessment strategies, including informal and formal, diagnostic, formative and summative approaches to assess student learning.
5.2.1 T P A (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of providing timely and appropriate feedback to students about their learning.
5.3.1 T P A (Graduate) Demonstrate understanding of assessment moderation and its application to support consistent and comparable judgements of student learning.
5.4.1 T P A (Graduate) Demonstrate the capacity to interpret student assessment data to evaluate student learning and modify teaching practice.
6.2.1 P (Graduate) Understand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers.
6.3.1 P A (Graduate) Seek and apply constructive feedback from supervisors and teachers to improve teaching practices.
7.1.1 T P A (Graduate) Understand and apply the key principles described in codes of ethics and conduct for the teaching profession.

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Feedback for our work in 2021 notes that students found the continued use of online learning worked well. I am pleased to note that the feedback rated the unit as doing well particularly in the areas of quality of teaching, challenging assessment tasks that supported learning and experiential/ interactive enquiry. Practical assessment tasks: students recognised the unit learning design enabled them to blend learning as they went along into practical resources for future teaching [aka assessment tasks]. We have been revising the buddy letter exchange for a few years now and think it is getting better every year. I agree that the word length is an issue and have revisited the task to consider which parts are absolutely essential to keep. Learning resources: It is particularly gratifying that some students congratulated us on the provision of useful learning resources and the clarity of weekly directions. There is a very deliberate pedagogic rationale behind our unit, which blends pre tutorial tasks, modular learning, recorded lectures and highly interactive tutorials. I take on board the feedback that the work prior to tutorials is challenging to achieve while studying 6 units. However, preparation for learning is a key design feature of the interrelated parts of the whole unit, which aligns with the Canvas site. We will consider how to integrate the pre-tutorial tasks more meaningfully into participation. The importance of supportive critical feedback: I note that some people found the level of detailed feedback given in assignments to be superlative in their university experience. This was good to read. We do try very hard to provide timely written feedback in assessment tasks as well as other formative forms of feedback such as comments during tutorials. In response to student feedback I have revised the wording of assessment task 2, to highlight the intent of the meetings in week 12 as dialogic professional conversations informed by pedagogic content knowledge prompted by key questions. We have also tried to increase emphasis on the explicit teaching of writing in the rubric. Reading for pleasure: As I made a concerted effort to bring this approach to reading more to the forefront in 2021 I was chuffed to see some students comment on how well connected they now feel to literary texts. The concept of being a reading teacher will serve you well through your whole career. Taking part in the research study: The number of students who willingly give permission for data collected in the survey, reading auto biography and professional conversations to be used for research into ITE design is greatly appreciated. The study has produced some useful insights to reading for pleasure, dialogic learning and professional development. Peer feedback: This comment from a student gives a good overview of the unit and what we achieved. "The unit was organised in a structured manner that challenged my understanding about teaching English to upper primary school students. It allowed me to read chapter books that I have not had the opportunity to do in a very long time. The unit provided me with websites that included books by Australian authors I could recommend for students to read. The first assignment gave me a greater understanding on how to implement literature circles within my future classes and the different roles students can take on. The second assignment allowed me to see how I could incorporate drama strategies within my future English lessons surrounding a book the teachers or students have chosen. The letter writing activity was very interactive and allowed me to recommend books from the websites this unit has provided."

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

Disclaimer

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