English 314: Children’s Literature

English 314: Children’s Literature

Fall Semester, 2003

Instructor: Susan Swords Steffen

Director of the A.C. Buehler Library

(630) 617-3172

Course Description:

A survey of literature for children. This course emphasizes extensive reading and evaluation of literature appropriate for children from pre-school through grade 6, developing criteria for selecting and using literature with children at various stages in their development, and analysis and discussion of issues in the field of children’s literature.

Course Outcomes:

Read widely in all areas of children’s literature.
Become familiar with the major genres of children’s’ literature, including picture books, fairy and folktales, fantasy, poetry, realistic fiction, historical fiction, biography, and informational books.
Gain skill and confidence in identifying, selecting, and evaluating children’s books.
Become familiar with tools for selecting and learning about children’s literature including professional books, journals, and the Internet.
Learn strategies for sharing literature with children.
Increase library, research, and technology skills.
Earn credit toward technology competencies for elementary education majors.

Required texts:

Huck, Charlotte. Children's Literature in the Elementary School. Eighth edition. 2003.

Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. 1998.

Course Requirements:

READING CHILDREN’S LITERATURE - PICTURE BOOKS

Reading widely and extensively in children’s literature is the most important part of this course. During this course, you will be create a Picture Book Portfolio that will be a teaching resource for your future classroom.

READING CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - NOVELS

You will also read five children's novels and prepare reading response papers for each. For one of these novels you will participate in a literature circle and report on that experience. A description of the exact requirements and format for these reading response papers will be presented and discussed in class.

READING ABOUT CHILDREN’S LITERATURE –READING THE TEXT AND ASSIGNED READINGS

Read all reading assignments in Huck, Children's Literature in the Elementary School. We will also read and discuss several picture books and one children’s novel as a whole class. From time to time, there will also be additional readings assigned.

TALKING ABOUT CHILDREN’S LITERATURE – BOOK DISCUSSIONS

Responding to and talking about children’s literature with others is an important part of experiencing children’s literature. You will be responsible for reading and reporting on 4 children’s novels selected from the genres we will be studying. You will also participate in a literature circle experience with an historical novel. Participation in class book discussions and the literature circle will be a component of the final grade.

LEARNING MORE ABOUT CHILDREN'S LITERATURE

Throughout the course, we will be exploring and learning more about resources used by teachers, scholars, and librarians in the selection and study of children's literature. Exploring these resources will prepare you for continuing to learn about children's literature for use in your classroom and with your students.

WRITING ABOUT CHILDREN’S LITERATURE – AUTHOR REPORT

During the course of the semester, each student will be responsible for researching and reporting on a children’s author selected from a list presented in class. An annotated bibliography of resources about the author will be due toward the end of the semester.

WRITING ABOUT CHILDREN’S LITERATURE - FINAL PROJECT

The final project will be an annotated bibliography of children’s books and supporting resources on a topic of your choice. The results of this project will be presented to the entire class on the day of the final exam. You will also publish your project on the web. A detailed explanation of this assignment will be discussed in class.

Grading:

The final grade for the course will be based on performance in the following areas:

Picture Book Portfolio

Novel Response Essays and additional informal writing assignments

Literature Circle Project

Author Presentation and Annotated Bibliography

Final Project

Participation Expectations (including class book discussions, Blackboard discussion board,and class participation)

Final grade for this course will be based on a percentage of the total points available:

90% and above will result in a grade of A.
80% and above will result in a grade of B.
70% and above will result in a grade of C
60% and above will result in a grade of D
Less than 60% will result in a grade of F.

Course Logistics:

Blackboard
This course will be using the Elmhurst College Blackboard for many different course management functions. It is your responsibility to logon to this course frequently to check for messages, retrieve documents, etc. Your logon name and password are your Elmhurst College user name and password. You may pick up your user name and password in CSTC Room 107. You can connect to Blackboard at http://bb.elmhurst.edu

Attendance
It is expected that every student enrolled in this class will attend every class meeting. Class periods will provide a variety of experiences with children’s literature that cannot be made up by simply reading the textbook or borrowing someone else’s notes. Throughout the semester, there will be a number of guest speakers who work in various areas of children’s literature (librarians, teachers, booksellers, writers, etc.) These professionals will provide important information about and insight into children’s literature as well as an opportunity for students to interact with practicing professionals in the field. Attendance at these class sessions is required. If you must miss a class because of a genuine emergency, it is your responsibility to contact me to find out what you missed.

In addition to regular class attendance, students will spend additional time in the Children’s Department of the Elmhurst Public Library locating and reading children’s literature. You must have a current public library card valid at the Elmhurst Public Library. The A. C. Buehler Library owns a small collection of children’s literature, which is housed with the Curriculum Collection on the Lower Level. In addition, a selection of children’s books from my personal collection will be available for browsing and check out at the Circulation Desk.

Students with disabilities.
The College will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. If you have a disability that may have some
impact on your work in this course, please contact the Director of Advising at 103 Goebel Hall (617-3450).

Although I do not have regularly scheduled office hours, I will be available for consultation on an as-needed basis. You may contact me in the Library, via telephone or voice mail, or via e-mail to ask questions or arrange a time for a conference.

You may reach me at (630-617-3172) or at susanss@elmhurst.edu .

Susan Swords Steffen

August 25,2003