LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN

IN THE EARLY GRADES: EDU 366 

 

Dr. Bruce Young

BSECE Quest Program

(P) 706.419.1401   (F) 706.419.1408

(E) bryoung@covenant.edu

(Web) http://www.scots.covenant.edu/faculty/bryoung

(Mail) 14049 Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750

(O) Kresge 209

Hours: By Appointment 

Catalog Description.

A course designed to explore the vast resources in children’s literature and to show appropriate ways of making literature a delight for young children. Three units.

Course Objectives.

   The Students will

• have an increased knowledge and appreciation of literature for children in the early grades.
• be able to evaluate children’s literature in terms of literary merit, usefulness to teaching children and suitability to a biblical world-life view.
• have a better knowledge of children, their culture, and how they grow in mind and spirit by means of the books they encounter, read, and enjoy.
• be able to demonstrate selected approaches to using children’s books in the classroom.
• be able to demonstrate selected methods for promoting children’s books in schools and the classroom.
• be able to integrate literature into the study of other subjects such as science, math, history, etc.
• be able to guide students in seeking personal meaning in the literature they read
• read and enjoy children’s literature
• become familiar with children’s literature dealing with issues of ethnicity, race, gender, and culture.

Texts.

Kasten, Wendy C., Kristo, Janice V., McClure, Amy A., Garthwait, Abigail, 2005. Living Literature: Using Children’s Literature to Support Reading and Language Arts. Upper Saddle River, NJ. Pearson Education, Inc.

Numerous self-selected children’s literature books.

Helpful Websites.

http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/ (references and links to other sites)

http://www.carolhurst.com/ (reviews of Children’s books, ideas and activities for classroom use of Children’s literature)

http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/childlit.htm (information, links, resources related to Children’s Literature)

http://www.oyate.org/catalog/preschool.html  (native american children’s literature)

http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal.htm (the Caldecott Medal homepage)

http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/newberymedal/newberymedal.htm (the Newbery Medal homepage)

http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/ (Jim Trelease’s website)  

Instructional Methods.

Instructional methods include, but are not limited to, lectures, discussions, small group sharing, internet use, hands-on activities.

Technology.

Technology will be explored for children’s literature related web sites, PowerPoint presentations, and research for teacher aids.

Course Requirements and Assignments.

1. Versions of a Fairy Tale, etc. (15%) Read two versions of the same fairy tale, myth, legend, or fable. Describe how each version is different in regards to language, plot, and/or characters. Explain why you think each version is different. Suggestions: “Little Red Riding Hood”, “The Three Little Pigs”, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”, etc.
2. Presentation. (10%) Prepare a book to read aloud to the class. Tell about the author and/or illustrator. Tell how the book could be used meaningfully in the classroom. For what grade level would the book be appropriate? Prepare a handout on the book for each class member. The handout should include book title, author, illustrator, synopsis of plot, recommended classroom use, target audience.
3. Book in a Lesson. (10%) Choose a children’s book and tell how it could be used in a science, math, or social studies lesson. One page.
4. Journal Reflection. (10%) Each week write a ½ to one page reflection on the readings for that week. Bring the reflection to class and be prepared to share/discuss the reflection in a small group.

5. Notebook. (25%) Compile a children’s literature notebook with
   1. information about the content, author, illustrator, and genre of the book. The notebook must include five titles each from different authors from the following genres:

·        Poetry

·        Picture books

·        Fairy tales, myths, fables, legends

·        Realistic fiction

·        Non-fiction

In order to complete this assignment it is recommended that you read a minimum of six books per week. A typical children’s book should take no more than 5-15 minutes to read.

2. the urls along with annotations of three websites that list and review Children’s Literature.
3. journal reflections from each week’s reading assignments.
5. Final Exam. (15%)
6. A Children’s Fantasy Novel. (15%) Read one of the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Write a 2-3 page report on the book. Specifics will be given in class.

Late Work.                         

Late work can be accepted, but will result in a reduction of the assignment’s grade.

Attendance.

Attendance at each class is essential to learning the course content. Absences and tardies will result in the grade for the course being reduced.

Session Schedule:

Sessions 1, 4, 7, 10, 13                        6:00 – 7:30

Break (Dinner?)                                    7:30 – 7:50

Sessions 2, 5, 8, 11, 14                        7:50 – 8:50

Break                                                   8:50 – 9:00

Sessions 3, 6, 9, 12, 15                        9:00 – 10:00

 Course Calendar.

Dates	Topics	Readings Due	Assignments Due
February 24	Session 1: A Philosophical and Historical Perspective on Children’s Literature Session 2: A Cultural Perspective Session 3: The Role of Meaning in Children’s Literature	Chapters 1, 2, 3 Read 5-6 Children’s Literature books	Journal Reflection #1
March   3	Session 4: Poetry Session 5: Picture Books & Illustrators Session 6: Teaching with Picture Books	Chapters 4, 5, 7 Read 5-6 Children’s Literature books	Journal Reflection #2
March 10	Session 7: Fairy Tales, Myths, Fables, Legends Session 8: Fiction (Realistic, Historical) Session 9: Fiction (Fantasy, Science Fiction)	Chapters 6, 8 Read 5-6 Children’s Literature books	Presentations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Versions of a Fairy Tale, etc. Journal Reflection #3
March 17	Session 10: Non-Fiction Part 1 Session 11: Non-Fiction Part 2 Session 12: Teaching with Non-Fiction	Chapters 9 Read 5-6 Children’s Literature books	Presentations 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Book in a Lesson Journal Reflection #4
March 24	Session 13: Reading Aloud Session 14: Literature Circles Session 15: Final Exam	Chapters 10, 11, 12, 13 Read 5-6 Children’s Literature books	Presentations 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 Journal Reflection #5 Study for Exam Notebook (or before March 31st) Fantasy Novel (or before March 31st)