West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Course Syllabus – Fall Semester, 2010
Name of Course: Children’s Literature Course No. ENGL 403, Section 1710
Department: English Division: Education and Humanities
Instructor: Tiffany S. Teofilo, ABD Email: tteofilo@wvup.edu
Mondays 7:00pm-9:45pm Room 1329
Course Description
This Children’s Literature class is a comprehensive study of print and non-print materials with emphasis on pre-school through upper elementary aged children. The purpose of the course is to acquaint you with a vast number of materials, with an emphasis on books, to be able to match the right material with the right child in a given situation or sequence of events. The class will be of special interest to parents, librarians, future teachers and everyone who ever loved a great children’s book.
Course Objectives
Students enrolled in Children’s Literature will...
● Learn to bring children and books together.
● Realize that for every child there is a right book at a right time.
● Learn to categorize and discuss children’s books according to type. (Traditional Literature, Picture Books, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Poetry, Informational, Biography, etc.)
● Be able to discuss a breakdown of the book with relation to type, plot, characterization, theme and style.
● Read books in all areas of children’s literature.
● Create projects that encourage reading.
● Be able to tell a story to a group of children.
● Recognize cultural diversity within children’s books.
Topics to be covered throughout the semester:
●Basic History of Children’s Books ●Children’s Classics
●Diverse Perspectives in Children’s Books (Multicultural) ●Biographies
●Traditional Literature (Folklore, Fairytales, Myths etc.) ●Picture Books
●Children’s Poetry ●Historical Fiction
●Modern Fantasy and Science Fiction ●Informational Books
●Children’s Magazines ●Newbery and Caldecott Winners
●West Virginia and Appalachian Children’s Literature
Textbooks:
Your books are available at the campus bookstore. The titles marked with an asterisk (*) below are available for rental, which can save you up to 50% on your book cost.
You will need additional children’s books throughout the semester, and the best place to find them is the local library. You can search their catalog online here: http://parkersburg.lib.wv.us/
Author Title
Chase Jack Tales
Huck/Kiefer Children’s Literature in the elementary school*
Sendak Where the Wild Things Are*
Yolen The Devil’s Arithmetic
Grades
The assignments in this course add up to 1000 total points. Your final grade will be assigned based on this chart:
| A | 935-1000 | C | 735-774 | |
| A- | 905-934 | C- | 705-734 | |
| B+ | 875-904 | D+ | 675-704 | |
| B | 835-874 | D | 635-674 | |
| B- | 805-834 | D- | 601-634 | |
| C+ | 775-804 | F | 0-600 |
Assignments
1. Children’s Literature Diary [300 pts.]:
You will keep a diary throughout the semester that will be turned in on November 8th before we have a two week break from class. This diary can be kept in a notebook or typed on your computer. You should start right away so that this project is done by the due date. It will contain the following information:
a. Reading Reflections –
You are responsible for reflecting on at least five (5) of the readings from the Huck textbook throughout the semester. You do not have to write a reflection for every reading. The reflections should note what you like or dislike about the reading, what you learned from it, and how it helps you understand children’s literature. Be sure to identify the reading you are discussing (page numbers, chapter numbers, etc.).
b. Book Reports –
You are responsible for using the lists and information provided by the Huck textbook to choose three (3) different children’s books of your choice to write short book reports on... Think back to elementary school and write a book report that tells who the main characters are, what the story is about, what the main idea or main lesson of the story is and what you liked or disliked about the book. The idea of writing book reports throughout the semester is to give you the opportunity to think about what children gather from the books they read. Feel free to think like a kid and write the way you think a child you’re reading with would write. And please remember to include the author and title of the book in your report.
c. Author Report –
Choose a famous children’s literature author. Research his or her books, life, history and if possible why s/he writes or wrote children’s literature. Report this information in your journal and then explain what makes this person a good or bad children’s literature author. This is an opinion report. The idea is to familiarize yourself with a children’s author since they are as diverse as anyone else. Every children’s literature author is unique... Your task is to find out why one of them is the way they are.
d. Movie List –
Find ten (10) children’s literature books that have been made into popular movies. Make a list of the book title and author and the movie title and director. This is simply a list. It will be useful if you ever decide to do a project like our Where the Wild Things Are assignment.
2. Reading Quizzes [80 pts total – 10 pts each]:
Beginning Monday, 8/30 you will have 8 reading quizzes throughout the semester. They will occur at the beginning of 8 different class meetings at random, and they will help me assess your participation grade at the end of the semester. To score 10 points on these quizzes, all you need to do is prepare for each class by reading your assigned materials. There will be no make-up opportunities for these quizzes.
3. In class activities [120 pts total]:
In class activities will be fun group projects that engage the course materials for a given day. To earn all the points for these assignments, all you need to do is be in class and help your group with that day’s activity. We will not have a group activity every day, so the point values per activity will vary. There will be no make-up opportunities for these activities.
4. Adaptation Analysis [150 points]:
In November, we will watch and read Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are and talk about what happens when children’s books are adapted into movies. You will write a 3-5 page paper about the differences between the book and the movie (Where the Wild Things Are). More details on what will be expected of you on this assignment will be passed out in class closer to the time of the assignment.
5. Final Project and Presentation [250 pts]:
Each of you will develop a presentation and paper about a children’s book you choose from a list I will provide in class. The presentation will be 5 minutes, and each of you will have the opportunity to present your research on the chosen book. Your presentation will show what you write in a 5-7 page paper about your book. More information on how to write your research paper on your chosen book and what should be included in your presentation will be passed out in class closer to the time of the assignment.
6. Take Home Final Exam [100 pts]:
The take home final exam will cover everything we discussed throughout the semester, and will have a mix of multiple choice and essay questions. It will be passed out on Monday, 12/6 and it is due by 10am on Tuesday, 12/14 either via email or at the Education and Humanities Department Office.
Schedule
*When a reading is listed, it needs to be read before class starts on that date.
Readings are listed by Author’s last name and assigned section or page numbers.
Date Topic Readings
8/23 Knowing children’s literature part I
8/30 Knowing children’s literature part II Huck [pp. 1-32]
9/6 Understanding children’s responses to literature Huck [pp. 33-67]
9/13 The changing world of children’s books Huck [pp. 68-117]
9/20 Exploring children’s literature part I Huck [skim pp. 118-233]; Yolen [chs. 1-7]
9/27 Exploring children’s literature part II Huck [skim pp. 234-413]; Yolen [chs. 8-14]
10/4 Exploring children’s literature part III Huck [skim pp. 414-566]; Yolen [chs. 15-end]
10/11 Storytelling Chase [stories 1, 3, 4, 5, 8]
10/18 Appalachian children’s literature Chase [stories 10, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18]
10/25 Folk and fairy tales Chase [story 9 and appendix]
11/1 Childhood goes to Hollywood and Wild Things part I Sendak [ALL]
11/8 Where the Wild Things Are part II
11/15 no class [I will be attending a Children’s Literature conference this day]
11/22 no class [Thanksgiving]
11/29 Presentations 1
12/6 Presentations 2
12/14 Final due by email or turned in to the office by 10am tuesday, 12/14
Attendance Policies:
1. Students are expected to attend all classes except in cases of sickness, accident, or situations of extreme urgency.
2. Students are expected to be punctual and prepared to participate in class activities.
3. When students are absent, they are responsible for attaining class materials and notes.
4. The final course grade can be adversely affected by a record of excessive absences. Such a record of absence from class may result in failure to pass the course. “Excessive absences” is defined as any number of absences that exceeds the number of class meetings that are scheduled in one week. However, since this course only meets once per week, excessive absences will be defined as more than two (2).
Available Support
If you are having difficulty in this course or others, a tutor may be available to give you assistance. Visit the Learning Assistance Center in Room 0404. Professional counselors are available to assist you with either personal or academic problems. To arrange an appointment, visit the Student Advising Center in Room 1213 or call 424-8310.
Diversity Statement
In conjunction with the Social Justice policy, one of the objectives of this course is to prepare students for a full and meaningful participation in a changing world. This course will raise awareness of students to foster tolerance and acceptance of diversity of all persons regardless of race, ethnic background, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, color, national origin, veteran status or disability in the following ways:
Content: Critical reading/thinking develops the ability to view issues from multiple perspectives and to process information logically
Materials: Reading selections represent multiple disciplines and explore complex issues (e.g. Japanese- American internment during WW II, conditions in Afghanistan, freedom of the press)
Methodology: Students frequently work in small groups
Disability Statement
If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please advise me and make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Disability Services (424-8378).
Plagiarism Statement
Copying from other students during a test or quiz, providing other students with answers to homework exercises, using cheat notes during exams and copying someone else’s written work (of any kind, whether it be a friend or Wikipedia) all constitute plagiarism and will result in an immediate F for the course. Second abuses are dealt with in the university’s student handbook and usually involve suspension.
Social Justice Statement
West Virginia University is committed to social justice. I concur with that commitment and expect to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Our University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color, or national origin. Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration.
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