TERG 3711 - Reading Application in Content Areas, Secondary Years
Summer 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 31150,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Jackie Mercer
Professional Qualifications:
Ed.D., Educational Leadership, Youngstown State University, 2024
MA, Professional Communication, YSU, 2021
MA, English, YSU, 2012
BS, Integrated English Education, YSU, 2009
Senior Lecturer
Email: jmercer01@ysu.edu
Office: DeBartolo Hall, 226
Office Phone: 330-941-3241
Preferred Contact Method: Email
Communication Expectations:
I check email regularly M-F from 8am – 5pm and when possible, outside of those times. YSU email is our primary form of communication. Please DO NOT rely on Blackboard messages for communication.
How to Refer to me:
Dr. Mercer
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Course Description
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | ● Vacca, Vacca, & Mraz (2021). Content area reading: Literacy and learning across the curriculum (13th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson. |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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TERG 3711 Summer 2026
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/11 | None | Course introduction, introduction to literacy | Begin fieldwork. Complete at least 12.5 hours and complete journal entries |
| 5/18 | None | Course introduction, introduction to literacy | Continue fieldwork. Complete remaining 12.5 hours and journal entries |
| 5/25 | Vacca, Vacca, & Mraz, Chapter 1: “Literacy Matters” | Introduction to literacy | Contextual Factors due 5/31 Fieldwork Hours due 5/31 Fieldwork Journal due 5/31 |
| 6/1 | Vacca, Vacca, & Mraz, Chapter 3: “Culturally Responsive Teaching in Diverse Classrooms” | Culturally responsive teaching Lesson plan work |
Reading Response #1 due 6/7 Practice Lesson Plan Submission #1 due by 6/7 |
| 6/8 | Vacca, Vacca, & Mraz, Chapter 4: “Assessing Students and Texts” | Assessment Lesson plan work |
Practice Lesson Plan Submission #2 due by 6/14 Reading Response #2 due by 6/14 |
| 6/15 | Vacca, Vacca, & Mraz, Chapter 5: “Planning Instruction for Content Literacy” | Planning Dyslexia Project |
Dyslexia Project due by 6/21 Reading Response #3 due by 6/21 |
| 6/22 | Vacca, Vacca, & Mraz, Chapter 6: “Activating Prior Knowledge and Interest” | The role of prior knowledge Lesson plan work |
Practice Lesson Plan Submission #3 due by 6/28 Reading Response #4 due by 6/28 |
| 6/29 | Vacca, Vacca, & Mraz, Chapter 7: “Guiding Reading Comprehension” | Reading Comprehension | Reading Response #5 due by 7/5 |
| 7/6 | acca, Vacca, & Mraz, Chapter 8: “Developing Vocabulary and Concepts” | Vocabulary Development Critical Task Work |
Critical Task Proposal/Outline due by 7/12 |
| 7/13 | Vacca, Vacca, & Mraz, Chapter 9: “Writing Across the Curriculum” | Writing across the curriculum Lesson plan work |
Standards and Objectives (Critical Task Practice 1) due by 7/19 Reading Response #6 due by 7/19 |
| 7/20 | Vacca, Vacca, & Mraz, Chapter 10: “Studying Text” | Working with struggling readers | Critical Task Practice 2 due by 7/26 |
| 7/27 | Vacca, Vacca, & Mraz, Chapter11: “Learning with Multiple Texts” | Multiple Texts | Reading Response #7 due by 8/2 |
| 8/3 | See Blackboard | Lesson plan work Literacy and scaffolding |
Critical Task Practice 3 due by Friday, 8/7 |
| 8/10 | No reading this week | Critical Task | Final Critical Task Submission by Friday, 8/14 |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.