SYLLABUS FOR CHILDRENS LITERATURE

 

Term:   Summer 2005                                                                                     

Course Number: EDU 400

Instructor:  Bruce Wisowaty

Office:  300

Office Phone:  219- 473-4264

E-mail:  bwisowaty@ccsj.edu

 

Office Hours:  Monday  12:30-3:30 pm

                         Thursday 12:30- 3:30pm

                        

 

Course Time : Monday-Thursday, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, April 25 – May 12, 2005

 

Course Description: This is a survey of diverse traditional and contemporary literature form kindergarten through junior high school. Emphasis is placed on types of literature, methods for use, authors, and illustrators. Teacher candidates are required to develop and implement multi-media presentations. Field Experiences Required.

 

 

Prerequisites: PSY 100 or EDU 100                            Cross listed: PSY 260

 

Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:

Students in this course will:

 

·         Teacher candidates will build a knowledge base of literature

·         Teacher candidates will demonstrate an understanding of the basic needs and interests of the young reader

·         Teacher candidates will demonstrate a knowledge of evaluation criteria in the selection of literature for young readers.

·         Teacher candidates will demonstrate the ability to use special bibliographic tools as guides in selecting literature for children and adolescents.

·         Teacher candidates will develop, write , design, and construct their own children’s literature book.

 

RELATED INTASC PRINCIPLES:

         All INTASC principles are discussed and reviewed IN EDU 400.

 

Textbooks: Through the Eyes of a Child: An Introduction to Children’s Literature. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

                    Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

 

Learning Strategies: (Group Discussions, Team Projects, Collaborative Learning, Lecturing…etc.)

 

Reading assignments are listed in the timeline section of this syllabus.  As minimum preparation for class discussion and participation, students should read the chapters to be examined on that day.

 

Library visit:  Visit your community library.  Draw a schematic map of the children’s section.  Find out the annual circulation of children’s books and the special programs and services offered by the library to children to encourage them to read.  Write a short (2) page report on the information you have discovered and attach your schematic map to your report.  Due May, 2, 2005  25pts.

 

 

Book Display Activity:  Select a book and/or author and create a mini-bulletin board that will encourage others to read the book or selections from a chosen author.  30 pts.  Due May 12, 2005.

 

Response Guide:    Develop a complete response guide for teaching a book in the classroom to children at a selected grade level.  We will discuss the response guide in class during the first week of class..    Due May11, 2005 40 pts.

 

Additional reading books:  Select  8 additional books to read from each of the following categories:  fiction, historical fiction, nonfiction/biography, science fiction/fantasy, picture book, poetry, traditional literature (fables, myths, folktales), multi-cultural fiction, Newbery Award winner, Caldecott Award Winner.  Choose only one book from a chosen category, prepare a short report for each of the chosen books(each report must be identified with the following information: title, author, publisher, copyright.) I will provide you with a list of different ways to prepare a book report.  Each report is worth 5 pts. for a total of 40 pts.  Due May 11, 2005.

 

Publication of a Children’s Literature Book:  The college will provide a binder, we will laminate; you are asked to design, write, compose and  illustrate a book.  Visit the CCSJ Library to view past student publications.  You will read and present the book to the class on May 12, 2005,(this is your final).  60 pts. which will include 10 pts. for the delivery and presentation.

 

 

Reading Field Experience:  Make arrangements to read a book or books to children  at a local public library or bookstore.  A verification form will be provided to you that will need to be signed.  Due May 12, 2005.  20 pts.

 

 

Blackboard Discussion :

                    Activity #1. Can you think of any one book you read and reread as a child?  What particular qualities of the story appealed to you?  Reread it now and evaluate the book, would you still recommend it for children?  Answer, post and discuss with your classmates.  April 28, 2005.  

10 pts.

        

                     Activity #2.  Bridge to Terabithia. The author has chosen a symbolic title her novel.  How does symbolism help you understand the important ideas in the book? Cite and discuss another children’s literature book that you have read or will read in which symbolism plays a key role. Answer and post prior to May 5, 2005.  Respond to your classmates responses. 10 pts.

 

                    Activity #3.  Bridge to Terabithia. How did you respond to the ending of the nove?  What other endings might the story have had?  Answer and post  May 9-11, 2005.   Respond to your classmates responses. !0pts.             

 

Class Policy for Assignments: Assignments need to be completed as scheduled.

 

 

 

Grading Scale:

         Response guide 40 pts..

         Library Fieldtrip 25 pts.

         Book Display Activity 30 pts.

         Additional 8 books 40 pts.

         Publication of Children’s Book 60 pts.

         Field Experience 25 pts

         Blackboard Activities 30pts.

.

          235-250 pts.  A

          220-234 pts.  B

          200-219 pts. C

          185-199 pts.  D

          0 – 184 pts.  F

 

 

 

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 or leaving early) amount to one unexcused absence from class and more than 2 absences from the class will result in the lowering of the final grade by one letter grade.

 

Class Policy on Electronic Devices: (Cell phones, Beeper, Pagers…etc.)

Students may need to be contacted by those outside of class from time to time.  However, should the use of electronic devices become habitual to the point of disrupting the regular class schedule, the student will be asked to turn-off such disruptive devices.

 

 

Course Outline:

 

April 25                                             Introduction/Class Syllabus

April 26                                             Chapter 1,2

April 27                                             Chapter 3,4,5, Class activity bring crayons, rulers,markers                 

April 28                                             Blackboard Assignment, independent work, library visit

                                                      

 

                                                       

May 2                                                 Chapters 6,7

May 3                                                      Chapters 8, 9

May 4                                                 Chapter 10, Bridge to Terabithia

May 5                                                  Museum Fieldtrip 4:00-7:00 pm

 

May 9                                                 Chapters 11, 12

May 10                                               Newbery Award Winning Books                  

May 11                                               Display board presentation, discussion of additional books

May 12                                               Reading of children’s literature books                                                  

 

 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 finds 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 Turabian.).  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).