Integrating physics and literacy learning in a course for prospective elementary and middle school teachers

Should physics departments offer special physics courses for teachers? If so, why? how? Should physics faculty integrate physics and literacy learning in such courses? If so, why? how? Should physics faculty integrate physics and literacy learning in ALL courses? If so, why? how? These issues will be discussed in the context of Physics 111, a course designed for prospective elementary and middle school teachers. Students explore physics and learning in ways that prepare them to engage children in learning science. The emphasis is on questioning, predicting, exploring, and discussing. Examples will be presented of opportunities to speak clearly, listen closely, write coherently, read with comprehension, and critique media in physical science contexts.