(EDR 624) Literature for Children
Syllabus of Record
Catalog Description: Literature for Children examines the role of the young reader in
appreciating literature, the instructional practices involving the integration of a variety of
genre across content areas, and the issues associated with using literature in the
elementary classroom. Three credits.
Unit Mission, Philosophy, Values:
Our Mission:
“Teaching, Leading and Learning in a Democratic Society”
The College of Education prepares candidates who enhance the individual growth of their
students while working to establish policies and practices that promote the principles of
democratic education. The College articulates this mission as Teaching, Leading, and
Learning in a Democratic Society.
Philosophy:
Student Potential, Ethical Implications
Believing that schools function as social and political entities as well as for the growth of
individuals, the College of Education prepares teachers and leaders
a) to enhance the academic and personal potential of their students
b) to evaluate the social and ethical implications of educational policies and practices.
Values:
“Expertise, Equity, Liberal Education, Social Responsibility”
The College of Education values expertise to guide our practice, equity to guide our
interactions, liberal education to guide our perspectives, and social responsibility to guide
our commitment to democratic education. We value these ideals in our preparation of
candidates, our development of faculty, and our relationships with the larger community we
serve.
Unit and Program Standards:
Unit Standards:
 Michigan Department of Education (MDE)
 National Association for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Advanced Program Standards:
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS, Propositions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Specialty Program Standards:
International Reading Association (IRA, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4)
Course Standards and Assessments:
Course Standards: National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Proposition #3
Teachers are Responsible for Managing Student Learning
 Utilize multiple methods
 Orchestrate learning in groups
 Place a premium on student engagement
 Regularly assess student progress
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Focus on multiple objectives
Common Course Assessment: Book Card File
Major Topics:
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Trade books
Engagement strategies
Assessment
Censorship issues
Key authors and illustrators
Responding to literature
Additional Information: The class includes lecture, discussion, structured class activities
and cooperative learning. Students are encouraged to use their creativity, knowledge and
initiative in fulfilling course requirements. Students will find that what they take from this
class will be directly connected to their enthusiasm for and engagement with the
assignments and class activities. The course Blackboard site will also be used. As a courtesy
to others, please turn off cell phones before class starts.
Course Knowledge Base:
Barton, J., (2001). Teaching with children’s literature. Christopher-Gordon Publishers, Inc.,
Norwood, MA.
Cullinan, B. editor, (1992). Invitation to read: More children’s literature in the reading
program. International Reading Association, Newark, DE.
Darigan, D., Tunnell, M., & Jacobs, J., (2002). Children's literature: Engaging teachers and
children in good books. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
Hancock, M., (2000). A celebration of literature and response: Children, books and teachers
in K-12 classrooms. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.
Hill, B. C., Johnson, N. J., and Schlick Noe, K. L., (1995). Literature circles and response.
Christopher-Gordon Publishers, Inc., Norwood, MA.
Horning, K., (1997). From cover to cover: Evaluating and reviewing children’s books.
HarperCollins Publishers, New York.
Kohl, H., (1995). Should we burn Babar?: Essays on children’s literature and the power of
stories. Heinemann, Portsmouth, NH.
Jobe, R., & Dayton-Sakari, M., (1999). Reluctant readers: Connecting students and books
for successful reading experiences Pembroke Publishers, Markham, Ontario, Canada
Norton, D. E., (2002). Through the eyes of a child: An introduction to children's literature.
6th ed., Prentice-Hall/Merrill Education, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
_____, (2001). Multicultural children’s literature: Through the eyes of many children. 1st
ed., Prentice-Hall/Merrill Education, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
Routman, R., (1999). Conversations: Strategies for teaching, learning and evaluation.
Heinemann Educational Books, Inc., Portsmouth, NH.
Schlick Noe, K. L. and Johnson, N. J., (1999). Getting started with literature circles.
Christopher-Gordon Publishers, Inc., Norwood, MA.
Tunnel, M. and Jacobs, J., (2000). Children's literature briefly. 2nd ed., Prentice-Hall, Inc.,
Upper Saddle River, NJ.