Ideas on Developing an Integrated Reading and Writing Course

Some overarching ideas for an Integrated Reading and Writing course:

1) Choose articles and books that will activate students' schemas and utilize active reading: have students make inferences both before, during and after reading, and allow opportunities for reflection of reading and the process. The readings will probably have some theme the students can relate to, whether as college students, or perhaps have a cultural focus depending on student demographics of the campus (e.g. Asian Pacific Islander).

2) Course would probably be a Learning in Communities course, perhaps co-taught with another instructor. The additional time would allow us to develop, over the course of one or two terms, the skills and competency we'd like the students to gain and master.

3) A truly integrated course where students will think as readers while they write and read from the perspective of good what good writing entails.

4) Course would likely utilize the K-W-L+ for both reading and writing as a way to reflect and engage with the texts and composition of essays.

5) Writing activities can include freewriting, developing rough drafts, making revisions, practicing sentence combining and producing essays. Reading activities will promote improving reading rate and comprehension, developing recall and interpretation skills, employing efficient study techniques and experiencing the reading-writing relationship across all disciplines (Goen-Salter).

6) A diagnostic or self-assessment at the beginning of the term can be given to allow students to share their own experiences with language and as a way to see their writing and communicative skills.

7) The course would build on skills progressing through the term, so that by the end of the term, students would produce a persuasive paper that had elements of research in it. Student would submit a portfolio of their essays and write a reflective essay detailing their improvement over the term and areas they still need to work on.

8) Other ideas: course can utilize videos (spoken word) that students can analyze. Course can also utilize peer feedback of essay drafts and collaborative work to develop a sense of community and engagement.