Yup, I’m still studying for that reading endorsement.  I’ve been reading the Report of the National Reading Panel (2001).  Specifically, I’ve been reading about how systematic phonics instruction rocks more than non-phonics instruction.  Rather than rehashing everything, here’s my marked up version of the phonics section (Chapter II, Part 2):

Download (ch2-II1.pdf, PDF, 2.41MB)

One of my goals for the year is to earn my Utah Reading Endorsement. I’m fresh out of money to give to the state in the form of tuition, so I want to demonstrate competency. I found this study guide at SUU. I’m planning to burn through it as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.

The Utah Reading Endorsement requires seven major areas of competency. NCATE/IRA standards indicate courses must have been taken within the last eight years from the date of application. To see state suggested, sample skeleton guidelines for each course, follow the link USOE guideline…

• EDRG 6320 Advanced Content Area Literacy (EDUC 6090) USOE guideline [Done]
• EDRG 6330 Teaching with Children’s & Adolescent Literature (EDUC 6330) USOE guideline [Done]
• EDRG 6340 Foundations of Literacy (EDUC 6340) USOE guideline
• EDRG 6345 Advanced Early Literacy & Language Development (EDUC 6345) USOE guideline
• EDRG 6350 Reading Assessment & Instructional Interventions (EDUC 6350) USOE guideline
• EDRG 6370 Teaching Process Writing (EDUC 6370) USOE guideline [Done]
• EDRG 6380 Advanced Reading Comprehension (EDUC 6390) USOE guideline [Done]

In 1995, when I got my LDS mission call to Philadelphia’s Cambodian refugees, I knew nothing of Cambodia or its history.  I did a two month language learning stint at the Missionary Training Center (MTC) and then flew to Philadelphia. I very quickly became familiar with South Philadelphia’s narrow and littered streets, and I came to love the southeast Asian people who lived there.  In the almost 15 years that have lapsed since, I feel I have become more than somewhat Cambodian at heart.  One day I’d like to visit Cambodia.