SYLLABUS
Course and Number
EDU 411
Title of Course
CHILDREN=S LITERATURE
Instructor
CAROLYN HODGES
Semester
Fall 2012
Credit Hours
3
School of Education: PO Box 4165: Clinton MS 39058: Lowery Hall: 601-925-3250
COURSE TITLE: Education 411/ Children=s Literature
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Three Hours: This course is designed to help future teachers know the importance of books and
reading in the life of the young child and to develop a knowledge and appreciation of the wide
variety and scope of recreational and informational materials available for pre-school through
grade 8.
I.
RATIONALE:
This course is designed as a survey course dealing with the utilization of literary materials
for children from pre-school through grade 8 (ages 3-14). Students will read literary selections
for children in this age range although a certain extent of specialization within an age range is
permitted. In addition, the course assists future teachers in techniques and methods of guiding
children toward more comprehensive, creative, and insightful utilization of literary materials in a
classroom setting. Special emphasis is placed on the attitudes and skills needed by children
whose physical or mental impairments, cultural backgrounds, and/or language differences contrast
them to the middle class child in American Schools.
II.
PREREQUISITES: None
III.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1.
To become aware of the value of literature for all children.
2.
To examine literature for children as it relates to the physical, social, and
intellectual dimensions of human growth and development.
3.
To provide the student with an opportunity to explore and understand literature
for children in greater depth.
4.
To provide avenues for developing meaningful and creative learning activities for
children.
5.
To recognize the diverse values that literature holds for children, especially in
relation to why, when, how and what literature is presented to children and /or
used by children.
6.
To identify and evaluate the contributions of authors and illustrators of children=s
literature.
7.
To examine literature for its presentation of the mental and physical
limitations of children and adults, to examine the appropriateness and
inappropriateness of controls on content, syntax and vocabulary for meeting the
reading needs and interests of children who are developing at different rates.
8.
To become aware of the issues and reasons involved in censorship and the proper
procedures of dealing with censorship.
9.
Be aware of the contributions of all cultures (U.S. and global) to children=s
literature and utilize these contributions in teaching children to respect the worth
and uniqueness of all cultures and individuals.
10.
Become aware of different instructional techniques, methods, and media in
presenting literature to children in order to meet specific learner needs.
V.
PREASSESSMENT: None
V.
INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:
a.
Lecture
b.
Video tapes
c.
Computer assisted instruction
d.
Research project
e.
Group work (small and large)
f.
Written critique of Children=s Literature
g.
Discussion
h.
Student presentations
VI.
MATERIALS FOR LEARNING:
a.
Video tapes
b.
Computer application
c.
Children=s books (see reading list)
e.
Texts
f.
Library references and journals
TOPICS
I.
The Child and Children=s Literature
A.
Values of Literature for Children
B.
Promoting Child Development through Children=s Literature
C.
Developing Critical and Creative Thinking
II.
History of Children=s Literature
A.
Milestone in History of Children=s Literature
B.
Children and the Family
C.
Early Research - Children=s reading habits and preferences
III.
Evaluating and Selecting Literature for Children
A.
Literary elements in children=s books
B.
Standards for evaluating books for children
C.
Selection of books for children/Children=s response to books
D.
Literature and the Curriculum
IV.
Picture Books
A.
Definition and types of picture books
B.
Artists and their Illustrations
C.
Evaluating picture books/illustrations
D.
Outstanding illustrators.
V.
Traditional Literature
A.
Heritage
B.
Types: Folktales, Myths, Legends
C.
Involving Children
1.
Storytelling
2.
Comparing folktales from different countries
3.
Creative dramatics
VI.
Poetry and Verse
A.
Elements of Poetry
B.
Criteria for selecting
C.
Poets
D.
Characteristics of Poems children prefer
E.
Poetry in the classroom
VII.
Modern Fantasy and Science Fiction
A.
Evaluating and Selecting Fantasy/Science Fiction
B.
Types of Fantasy
C.
Personification
D.
Fantasy and Science Fiction in the classroom
VIII.
Contemporary Realistic Fiction
A.
Sensitive Topics
B.
Themes in Contemporary Realistic Fiction
C.
Using Contemporary Realistic Fiction in the classroom
IX.
Biography/Historical Fiction
A.
Criteria for selecting and evaluating
B.
Authenticity
C.
Biography/Historical Fiction books in the classroom
X.
Information Books
A.
Criteria for selecting and evaluating
B.
Content bias/Authenticity/Currency
C.
Information books in the classroom
XI.
Multiethnic Literature
A.
Evaluating and Selecting
B.
Black American literature
C.
Native American literature
D.
Hispanic American literature
E.
Asian American literature
F.
Using multiethnic literature in the classroom
XII.
Christian Books and Stories
A.
Selection and Evaluation
B.
Using with children
EDUCATION 411
Children=s Literature -Fall 2012
Carolyn Hodges
hodges@mc.edu
Office Leland Speed Library
O/925-3943
H/829-4325
TEXTS:
Lowry, Lois. The Giver
Paterson, Katherine, The Great Gilly Hopkins
Lowry, Lois, Number the Stars
summary due 09/25/12
summary due 10/11/12
summary due 10/30/12
Course Requirements:
1.
Read! Read! Read! Each book will be written up on 8 2 by 11 inch size paper.
Format as follows:
A.
Required Texts Only: The Giver; The Great Gilly Hopkins; and Number the
Stars.
Name (last name first)
Type of Book (ex, Fantasy)
Age Level
Author, Title, Publisher, Publication Date, Pages.
Example: Bachelder, Louise. Little Things. Mount Vernon, NY. The Peter
Pauper Press, 1969, 62p.
Critical Evaluation: (include the following)
(1)
The Setting:
(2)
Characters:
(3)
Theme:
(4)
Summarize Plot:
(5)
Describe the Climax:
(6)
Christian Emphasis:
(7)
Classroom Activity:
Note any special interest this book might serve. Summaries must be neat,
complete and written in good penmanship or typed.
B.
Other Books
Name (last name first)
Type of Book (ex, Newberry Award)
Author, Title, Publisher, Publication Date, pp.
Example: Bachelder, Louise. Little Things. Mount Vernon, NY. The Peter
Pauper Press, 1969, 62p.
Summary:
Suggested Classroom Activity:
2.
Share a book (or story) with the class. (See Asuggested ways to share books with others.@)
3.
Group Workshop Presentation
4.
Multicultural Literature Study Presentation
5.
Class participation - including reports on reading assignments, class discussion,
attendance, quizzes, etc.
6.
Tests
7.
Attendance: Attendance is required. A professional informs an employer of an absence.
We are training you to be professionals, therefore, the student is to call or email the teacher
prior to class. Students who are ill or away on official school business will be allowed to
make up work. All classes will meet and no excuses will be signed to leave early or return
late for holidays. See attendance requirements in the current MC Catalog, and your
registration class schedule. If a student misses more than the number of class periods
specified in university policy and believes that there are reasonable explanations for the
absences, he/she/may appeal the absences to the Dean of the School in which the course is
being taught. Students may obtain a Student Absence Appeal Form from the Dean=s
Office.
Websites for Class Information
MCMoodle http://moodle.mc.edu/
http://www.mc.edu/campus/users/hodges
Personal web addresses :
hodges@mc.edu
WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
Mother Goose and Concept Books
Poetry and Verse
Traditional Literature
Modern Fantasy & Science Fiction
Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Historical Fiction
Information Books & Biography
09/11/12
09/18/12
09/25/12
10/02/12
10/11/12
10/23/12
11/06/12
WORKSHOP OUTLINE
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
Definition/Background of the type of literature
Distinguishing Characteristics of the genre
Distinguished Authors and/or illustrators of the genre (Show and Abook talk@ at least 5
examples of books of the genre).
Ideas - for getting children involved. Demonstrate at least 2 activities for classroom use.
Remember to include purpose and complete instructions. Be creative!!!
Presenters should have a professional attitude/appearance and present with enthusiasm.
Workshops must be a minimum of 40 minutes.
Bulletin Board /Display (poster size or larger)
Workshop evaluations - Workshop evaluations will be given to the students when all
workshops have been completed.
NOTE: A copy of the suggested activities for classroom use must be provided for each member of
the class.
MULTI CULTURAL LITERATURE STUDY
As part of a group, you will research a particular ethnic group and related children=s literature.
Your group will set up a display of artifacts, information, and children=s books related to the
ethnic group and give an oral report which introduces the class to the culture through children=s
literature. Involve the class in at least one hands-on activity. Presentation should be a
minimum of 30 minutes.
Evaluation Procedure
1. Book Summaries
2. Workshop presentation
30%
3. Tests (combined grades)
30%
20%
4. Book sharing/Class participation 10%
5. Multicultural Literature Study
10%
Grading Scale is as follows:
Course Grade
95 - 100 = A
88 - 94 = B
80 - 87 = C
70 - 79 = D
69 - 0 = F
DUE DATES FOR READING
Summaries Due:
Sept. 4, 2012
Sept. 11, 2012
Sept. 25, 2012
Oct. 11, 2012
Oct. 30, 2012
Nov.29, 2012
Dec. 4, 2012
(Minimum of 5)
(Minimum of 10)
(Minimum of 10)
(Minimum of 10)
(Minimum of 10)
(Minimum of 10)
ALL DUE
ALL summaries due no later than Dec. 4, 2012. None will be accepted after this date.
Each summary should be placed on a sheet of 8 2 by 11 inch sheet of paper under the correct
heading (on the required reading list).
FINAL EXAM
Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012
MAKE-UP EXAMS will be given only if arrangements are made in advance with the
instructor.
TESTS will be returned and discussed in class. Grades are not recorded until after the test has
been returned to the teacher.
WORK TURNED IN LATE WILL HAVE 2 POINTS PENALTY PER DAY LATE.
ALL WORK IN EDU 411 MUST BE RELATED TO CHILDREN=S LITERATURE THIS
SEMESTER. WORK DONE FOR ANOTHER CLASS WHETHER IT IS FOR THIS
SEMESTER OF A PREVIOUS SEMESTER WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
EDU 411A fall 2012 Complete syllabus