Mastering the Text Complexity Challenge in Grades 4-8
(Grades 4-8) / Flex Course
PDI Course Number: 46T02 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC41603
Course Description
Are you struggling to help your students master text complexity for your grade level? This online course is designed for teachers of grades four through eight who are interested in learning the best practices for helping their students master text complexity. This course covers strategies for implementing the Common Core State Standards in reading literature and informational texts. Teachers will learn strategies for assessing text complexity, asking and answering text-dependent questions, using textual evidence, teaching important Common Core-related vocabulary building strategies, and helping students learn how to read closely. Teachers will learn the importance of increasing vocabulary to assist students in comprehending complex text. Finally, teachers will learn strategies for helping students explore theme and author’s message in a variety of genres. This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from UC San Diego Extension. For detailed information on university credit, click here.
"I felt that the content and resources are very applicable to what I am doing in my classroom right now! I GREATLY appreciate that about PDI courses, it is hands-on and ties in with real instruction! I feel that I can use everything immediately" - Amy Bork
This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units or 5 quarter units of graduate-level credit from UC San Diego.
You have up to one year from the date you are enrolled to complete a flex course.
Print our customized course approval form to share with your school district.
- Overview of the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts
- Standards for Literature
- Standards for Informational Text
- Balancing Types of Text
- Assignment #1: Write an autobiography
- Test #1
- Overview of Text Complexity
- Text Exemplars and Other Tools for Analyzing Texts
- Leveled Texts
- Assignment #2: Article reflection
- Test #2
- Asking and Answering Questions with Evidence
- Questioning Techniques to Help Readers who Struggle
- Overview of Disciplinary Literacy and Content Integration
- Assignment #3: Share your expertise
- Test #3
- Overview of Close Reading
- Close Reading with Literature
- Close Reading with Informational Texts
- Test #4
- Building Vocabulary
- Vocabulary Self-Collection
- Writing with Reading in Mind
- Test #5
- Understanding and Working with Theme and Author's Message
- Exploring Genre
- Resources for Reading in Grades 4-8
- Assignment #4: Develop a Text Complexity Lesson
- Assignment #5: Course Reflection

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