SYLLABUS FOR CHILDREN’S LITERATURE

 

Instructor:  Chris Buczinsky                                                      Term:  Spring 2004    

Office:  Room #519                                                                   Course Number: EDU 400

Office Phone:  219- 473-4250                                   Prerequisites: PSY 100 or EDU 100

E-mail: cbuczinsky@ccsj.edu                                                 Cross listed: PSY 260

 

Office Hours:             Tuesday           2:00-5:00

                                    Wednesday      9:00-12:00, 3:00-7:00

                                    Friday              8:30-10:30

 

Course Time:             Saturday 3/13, 2/20, 3/27

                                    8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

 

Course Description: This is a survey of traditional and contemporary literature for children from kindergarten through junior high school. We will study the history of children’s literature, the basic types of children’s literature, the major authors and illustrators, and various methods for their classroom use. Field experiences are required.

 

Learning Outcomes/ Competencies: Students will:

 

·        acquire a knowledge of the history, the major types, the best individual works of traditional and contemporary children’s literature.

·        analyze children’s books in preparation for sharing them with children

·        understand and apply the principles of reading aloud to children

·        acquire a knowledge of methods for sharing literature in the classroom

·        synthesize their understanding, knowledge, and skills in a response guide for teaching a children’s book.

 

Students will accomplish these objectives by

 

  1. Attending class regularly, reading the assigned material, taking notes on lectures, participating in class discussion
  2. Creating an annotated bibliography of a minimum of 10 children’s books read during the course. (See sample attached.)
  3. Writing three reading analyzes of or reports on individual children’s books, one  from each of the main genres discussed in class. (See sample attached.)
  4. Reading aloud to a group of children and preparing a report on your experience.
  5. Observing a practicing teacher read/teach a piece of children’s literature and preparing a report on your experience. (See description attached)
  6. Developing a response guide for teaching a children’s book in the classroom to children at a selected grade level.

 

Related INTASC Principles

 

#1.  The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry and the structures of the disciplines he/she teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.

 

#4.  The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students’ development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.

 

#7. The teacher plans instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, the community, and curriculum goals.

 

Textbooks: Through the Eyes of a Child: An Introduction to Children’s Literature by Donna E. Norton and supplemental readings

 

Learning Strategies: Lecture, class and small group discussions, field work experiences, and class projects.

 

Class Requirements:

 

  1. Attendance, preparation, class participation                   100 pts.
  2. One Annotated Bibliography                                         150 pts.
  3. Three Children’s Book Reading Analyses                      150 pts.
  4. One Reading Aloud Report                                           100 pts.
  5. One Class Observation Report                         100 pts.
  6. One Response Guide                                                    200 pts.                                   
  7. One Final Exam                                                            200 pts.

 

Grading Scale:

 

900 – 1000 pts.            A

800 – 899 pts.              B

700 – 799 pts.              C

500 – 699 pts.              D

    0 – 499 pts               F

 

Class Policy for Assignments:

 

Assignments submitted late will lose one full grade value.

 

Class Policy on Attendance:

 

Attendance is mandatory.  Students are expected to be present and on time for all classes.  Attendance will impact student grades. Two unexcused tardies (arriving late [either at the beginning of the class or after the lunch break] or leaving early [for lunch or at the end of the class) amount to one unexcused absence from class and 1 (one) absence from the class will result in the lowering of the final grade by one letter grade.

 

Class Policy on Electronic Devices:

 

Students are asked to turn off all electronic pagers and cell-phones during class time. Inform friends, family, and colleagues that you are busy during class hours and may not be disturbed. If you have an emergency situation at home or work, a situation that absolutely requires you to keep cell phone or pager on, you must first clear it will me.

 

Course Outline:

 

See Weekly Agendas (attached)

   

Center for Academic Excellence:

 

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.

 

Statement of Plagiarism:

 

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances. (Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27)

 

Citation Guidelines:

 

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turbian.).  All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore.  These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

 

Withdrawal from Classes Policy:

 

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar.

 

Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses.

 

The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.

 

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).