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CI 435 - CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
Class Calendar
| Dates and Times are Tentative. Schedule may be changed & additional assignments may be added at the instructor's discretion. |
| Date | Material Covered | Assignment Due | Text Readings |
| Week 1 & 2 | Introduction to the Course
Objectives: a) Define the traditional criteria applied in the evaluation of a good story. b) Explain the impact of children's developmental characteristics for the selection of appropriate books. c) Be aware of and able to use a minimum of three review resources. |
Three - Five book summaries NOTE: When creating activities to use in the Instructional Activities section of your book summaries, DO NOT use the words: "LEARN, READ ABOUT, RESEARCH, DISCUSS, TALK ABOUT, OR STUDY". Think of specific, creative ativities for each book. See examples given in class. |
Readings: Chapters 1 & 3* * Chapter numbers refer to the seventh edition of the text. Check the title of the chapter if using an older edition. |
| Week 3A | Technology & Children's Literature Objectives: a) Through hands-on experience and instruction, you should be able to use the World Wide Web to locate 3 resources on the Internet related to children's literature and correctly site any Web sources used. b) You will be able to establish an e-mail address and communicate via e-mail. c) You will be able to locate and evaluate compact discs related to children's literature. d) You will be able to list the benefits and limitations of the motivational reading program, Accelerated Reader. e) You will be able to evaluate World Wide Web sites for credibility and determine if sites are appropriate for use with elementary students. f) You will be aware of Internet ethics - what is plagiarism from the Web, when it occurs and how to prevent it. Relevant Resources: The World Wide Web Assignment: |
Complete the Internet assignment given in class. |
National Educational Technology Standards and Performance Indicators Educational Technology Foundations for all Teachers can be found at http://cnets.iste.org/teachstandintro.html
Litlinks: Chapter 1 & 2
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| Week 3B | History of Children's Literature Objectives: a) From assigned readings and viewing the video in class, you should be able to discuss in writing the development of Children's Literature from the Horn Book to the literature of today. b) Be able to recognize on sight the works of several of your favorite artists/illustrators of children's books past or present. |
Chapter 2
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| Weeks 4 & 5 | The Pictoral Tradition - picture books, artists and their illustrations Objectives: a) Explain the role of the illustrator in telling stories to young children. Your explanation should include reference to at least the following: Plot, character development, setting, and style. b) Using criteria developed in class, you should be able to choose from a large selection of books those which are appropriate for the young child. |
Bring in examples of picture books you would like to share: to illustrate setting, to illustrate characterization, to illustrate point of view, to illustrate your idea of the perfect picture book, to all class meetings during these weeks. | Chapters 4 & 5
Litlinks - Chapter 4 |
| Week 6 | Traditional Literature (Folk Tales) Objectives: a) Identify good tales for telling and justify your choice. b) Analyze folk tales for recurring themes and motifs. |
Read 2 unknown tales from one other land [not Germany or USA]. Summarize them. Discuss them in terms of their familiarity, or their likeness to any tale or part of tale with which you are familiar. Must compare each tale to at least 3 familiar tales.(1 pg.). Click here for example. | Chapter 6
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| Week 7 | Poetry and Rhyme Objectives: a) Demonstrate the ability to choose poems for children which reflect the criteria of: singing ability, distinguished diction, relevant content. b) Become aware of the many excellent resources for poetry and reflect this knowledge through research and through choosing from available resources those which have quality. |
Collect 3 poems which you feel exhibit the elements of good poetry. Duplicate to share with the class. Site author, title, and source of poem. Poems need to be about the same subject (i.e. weather), and cannot be by Shel Silverstein. | Chapter 8 |
| Week 8 | Midterm | 30 Book Summaries Due | |
| Week 9 | Modern Fantasy Objectives: a) Be able to verbally defend the use of fantasy book with children. b) Discuss knowledgeably the categories of fantasy books available for children. c) Using criteria developed in class, be able to critique any fantasy story. |
1. Read a fantasy chapter book for grades 5 or up. 2. Write a book annotation on the book that you read. This may be included as one of your 60 cards. 3. Copy the criteria from your text on evaluating fantasy. [p. 273- 6th & 7th ed., ] onto a separate page. 4. On a third page specifically tell how the book you read meets each criteria in the text. You need to refer to each criteria specifically. For example, my book met criteria # 1, because..... Cannot use any Magic School Bus titles for this assignment. | Chapter 7 |
| Week 10 | Contemporary Realistic Fiction Objectives: a) Become aware of the appeals of popular types of contemporary fiction and the functions they serve and demonstrate the ability to choose from these categories quality books. 1) Animal stories 4) Adventure stories 2) Sports stories 5) Multicultural literature 3) Mysteries b) Become aware of the treatment of contemporary issues within Children's Literature. |
Read and summarize a contemporary realistic fiction for the upper grades (must be a chapter book). Compare to criteria in text, p. 365, 7th ed.. [Same as for Fantasy - see above] | Chapter 9
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| Week 11 | Historical Fiction Objectives: a) Identify criteria for selecting quality historical fiction which allows children to personally experience and develop an awareness of the past. b) Become aware of the range of historical fiction for today's children c) Explore historical fiction in terms of themes which transcend grade levels and time. |
Read and summarize a book of historical fiction for middle or upper grades (must be a chapter book). Compare to criteria in text, p. 417, 7th ed.. | Chapter 10 |
| Week 12 | Informational Books and Biography Objectives: From several informational books on the same subject you should be able to choose one which meets the criteria for quality which are defined in text book. | Bring 2 informational books to class to exemplify well written non-fiction. | Chapter 11 & 12
Litlinks Chapter 6 & 7 |
| Week 13 | Multi-ethnic Literature Objectives: a) Be able to identify criteria for selecting multi-ethnic literature which allows children to identify with characters of various cultures and ethnic backgrounds. b) Become aware of the treatment of the various ethnic groups in Children's Literature. |
Bring a book about your culture to class to share. | Special features to include p. 77-79 " Standards for Evaluating Multicultural Literature" & p. 146-153 "History of a Culture..."seventh edition. Older text editions, see chapter on multicultural literautre Litlinks Chapter 3 |
| Week 14 | Media and Literature; Extending Literature Through Creative Activities; The Literature Program Objectives: a) Be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the following media of Children's Literature: 1) CDs 3) software 2) videos 4) puppets b) Be able to develop a reading corner and define the rules for its use. 1) rules for the teacher 2) rules of the students c) Be able to describe/create a minimum of three follow-up activities related to literature - for discussion only d) Be able to discuss in writing the value of children's literature in: 1) meeting basic needs 2) broadening concepts 3) expanding communication skills |
Reread Chapter 3
Litlinks Chapter 5 |
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| Week 15 | Culminating Activities, Review | All projects and assignments due! | Review STUDY GUIDE |
| Week 16 | Final Exam |
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