This course will engage students in intensive instruction in reading and language arts that is grounded in methodologically sound research. Throughout the course students will; explore theory and practice through discussion, demonstration, and other strategies; construct an understanding of the language and cognitive precursors to the reading acquisition process; and, develop an understanding of various kinds of assessment instruments and their appropriate instructional role. Integration of multicultural literature for children will be emphasized where students will learn to judge the literary quality and cultural authenticity of different genres. Additionally, each student will develop the basic knowledge, skills and strategies for teaching students who are linguistically and culturally diverse and/or have a diverse learning need in the general education classroom.