S ?

•

Education

4654

'Children's Literature

INTERSESSION, 1983

?

INSTRUCTOR: Ken Roberts

Mondays & Thursdays 1:00 -

?

LOCATION: on campus

OBJECTIVES:

The course is designed to introduce you to: the scope of children's

literature, selected aspects of literature for children, methods for presenting

literature to children, and foundation concepts necessary for the selection of

story and non-fiction material for children.

While the course will most certainly touch on literature forpreschool

children and for young adults, emphasis will be placed on literature for children

between 5 and 14 years of age.

OUTLINE OF TOPICS:

The course will embrace a variety of approaches, including -

- A historical and cross-cultural look at children's literature which will

include a brief history of children in western societies. There will be an

emphasis on folk literature with a focus, as well, on literature in translation

and on Canadian literature.

- A developmental study of the various forms of children's literature to include

picture books, easy readers, novels written for children, novels adopted by children

as part of their literature, and young adult fiction.

- A themes and issues look at such issues as bibliotherapy, censorship, the

importance (or lack of importance) of Canadian materials, and popularity versus

suitability.

- A practical hints look at storytelling, storypuppetry, story drama, book

talks and other methods for presenting literature to children.

These various approaches will be present in virtually every session.

TYPICAL REDUIREMENTS:

The course will comprise a broad range of experiences (lectures, seminars,

discussion groups, etc.) organized in such a way as to maximize individualized learning

The general course requirements are as follows. More specific requirements are

included in the course outline:

-Attendance and participation in all parts of the program of study.

-Completion of readings, completion of a diary of readings and thoughts,

completion of assignments. Note: There is no required text or course-book.

Many readings will be recommended and some articles will be required. Readings

of various types of books will be required.

/2

---

EDUC

.

46/INTERSESSION 1983

.

8' ?

S

F

?

2/

-Demonstration of competancy in the fulifiliment of a selection of assignments.

-The purpose of the assignments is to initiate you into the roles, processes,

and activities that a teacher of literature engages in, naming:

Reading - You will read, study, and annotate a broad range of children's

materials.

Evaluating - You will prepare several books in a professional manner, will

inspect various review publications, and will come to sessions prepared to discuss

children's literature.

Presenting - You will prepare two stories for oral presentation and will

participate in other demonstrations and discussions on presentation methods.

Creating - You will produce a publisher's submission (which does not mean

completed copy but concept ideas) for a non-fiction book for young readers. The

subject should be simple (i.e. shoe lace tying) and should not be adequately covered

by existing in-print material.

Students with specific areas of interest are invited to submit ideas for

substitute assignments. The substitute assignments must be approved by the instructor

and will, in all cases, be accepted only if the student can firmly demonstrate

a reason, for substitution and if the instructor is convinced that the substitute

assignment will allow the student to learn those concepts which are being taught by

the normally assigned work.

The instructor retains the right to turn down any request for a substitute

assignment.