1. Any University of Puerto Rico
Cidra Campus
Department of Education
Prof. Talía Méndez
Course Syllabus
I. General Information
Course Number: ENGL 3440
Course Title: Children’s Literature in English
Credits: 3
II. Course Description:
Study and analysis of literature geared towards the preadolescent reader and the criteria used in its selection in the teaching of English
as a second language.
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2. III. Course Objectives
COMPETENCIES GENERAL OBJECTIVE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES EVALUATION WEIGHT
CRITERIA
By the end of the course, the By the end of the semester and As a result of the learning
student will have developed the by means of varied learning experiences developed through
following competencies: experiences, the student will: out the semester, the student will:
1. Ability to discuss the 1.1 Demonstrate knowledge of 1.1.1 Identify the major writers,
historical background related to the historical background of works, and periods of children’s
children’s literature. children’s literature. literature.
1.1.2 Explain the historic
development of literature for
children.
1.1.3 Match major children’s Test 20%
writers with their works.
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3. COMPETENCIES GENERAL OBJECTIVE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES EVALUATION WEIGHT
CRITERIA
2. Ability to evaluate and select 2.1 Demonstrate knowledge of 2.1.1 State the criteria for
appropriate literature for criteria used to evaluate and selecting and evaluating
children. select literary material for appropriate literary material for
children. children.
Annotated 5%
2.1.2 Identify literary elements as Bibliography
essential components for
selecting and evaluating literature
for children.
2.1.3 Identify criteria and factors
used for selecting appropriate
literature for children.
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4. COMPETENCIES GENERAL OBJECTIVE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES EVALUATION WEIGHT
CRITERIA
3. Ability to develop strategies 3.1 Demonstrate knowledge of 3.1.1 Enumerate and describe
for increasing children’s strategies used to promote specific strategies that will aid
appreciation for literature. children’s literary appreciation. the ESL teacher in using
literature as an integral part of the Test 10%
curriculum.
3.1.2 Distinguish between the
different strategies.
3.1.3 Use strategies in a mini- Portfolio 15%
class presentation.
3.1.4 Explain how literary
elements influence the young
reader’s appreciation and
understanding of literature.
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5. COMPETENCIES GENERAL OBJECTIVE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES EVALUATION WEIGHT
CRITERIA
4. Ability to develop skills in 4.1 Demonstrate knowledge of 4.1.1 Create and use didactic
preparing lessons incorporating skills for lesson preparation materials that are appropriate for Mini class 25%
children’s literature. incorporating children’s the teaching of children’s
literature. literature.
4.1.2 Construct a mini-class
using appropriate teaching
strategies and literature to teach
specific objectives.
4.1.3 Prepare a list of readings
suitable for ESL pre-adolescent
learners.
4.1.4 Demonstrate the following
teaching/learning strategies and
skills in using children’s
literature: choral reading,
reader’s theater, puppet plays,
dramatic reading, role playing,
and oral reading.
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6. 5. Ability to evaluate the 5.1 Demonstrate knowledge of 5.1.1 Explain how illustrations in
images of childhood revealed evaluating images used in children’s literature contribute to
in children’s literature vis-`a- children’s literature. the enjoyment of a specific work.
vis philosophical,
psychological, and sociological 5.2 Demonstrate knowledge of 5.1.2 Explain how visual
theories in education. influence of children’s elements influence the reader’s
literature on child development. appreciation of literature. Test 10%
5.2.1 State how reading has an
effect on a child in the following
areas: linguistic development,
cognitive development,
emotional development, social
development, and psychological
development.
5.2.2 Define cognition and
metacognition
5.2.3 Explain how literature Critiques 5%
enhances child development.
5.2.4 Enumerate the various
aspects of children development.
5.2.5 Identify the major
educational trends and
philosophies and state their
influence on the development and
use of children’s literature.
5.2.6 Read and critique articles
on the teaching of reading and
ESL.
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7. 6. Ability to suggest and 6.1 Demonstrate knowledge of 6.1.1 Prepare and evaluate a list Portfolio 10%
evaluate appropriate websites technological resources to of websites suitable for ESL pre-
and educational software, complement children’s adolescent learners.
which complments the use of literature.
children’s literature in the 6.1.2 Prepare and evaluate a list
classroom. of websites suitable for using
children’s literature in teaching
ESL pre-adolescent learners.
6.1.3 Select and critique
computer software which
facilitates using children’s
literature to teach ESL to pre-
adolescent learners.
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8. IV. COURSE CONTENT
1. Promoting children’s development through literature.
2. Reading process
3. Responses to literature
4. History of children’s literature
5. Evaluating and selecting literature for children: standards, literary elements, visual elements, age, interests, ESL ability.
6. Types of literature:
a. Traditional literature
b. Poetry
c. Contemporary realistic fiction
d. Multicultural literature
7. Teaching strategies / Mini-classes
8. Internet research for teaching ideas
V. Activities
1. Discussions of readings and assignments
2. Critiques
3. Responsive writings
4. Mini-class presentations
5. Internet searches for information related to children’s literature
6. Evaluations of children’s literature
7. Prepare a portfolio
8. Exams
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9. VI. EVALUATION CRITERIA
TOOL WEIGHT CRITERIA
Exams History of Children’s Literature, strategies,
40%
effect of literature on children, other.
Portfolio
Webpages, responsive writings, reading
Assignments 25%
strategies
Internet research
Mini-classes Classes which demonstrate the use of
25% children’s literature, ESL objectives,
curriculum content
Critiques, Annotated bibliography Evaluations of children’s literature,
10%
professional article readings
TOTAL 300 100
Standard Curve will be used:
90 – 100% A
80 – 89% B
70 – 79% C
60 – 69% D
0 – 59% F
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10. V. RESOURCES AND DIDACTIC MATERIALS
A. Suggested Texts and Reference Materials
Textbook:
Huck, Charlotte and Barbara Z. Kiefer, et al. (2006). Children’s literature in the elementary school, 9th ed. New York: McGraw-
Hill.
B. Periodicals
Instructor
Teacher
Technology and Learning
K-8 Teacher
C. Bibliography
Resources available in the Inter American University System.
Books
Bainbridge, Joyce and Malicky, Grace. Constructing meaning. (2000). Scarborough, ON.
Bennett, William. The book of virtues. (1993). New York: Schuster.
Bennett, William. The moral compass. (1998). New York: Schuster.
Huck, Charlotte and Barbara Z. Kiefer, et al. (2004). Children’s literature in the elementary school, 8th ed.
New York: McGraw-Hill.
Wong, Harry and Wong, Rosemary. The first days of school. (1998). Mountain View, CA: Harry Wong Publications
Recommended Books
Hancock, M.R. (2000). A celebration of literature and response. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill, an imprint of Prentice Hall.
Norton, D. (1995). Through the eyes of a child: An introduction to children’s literature. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
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11. Web Sites
www.aesopsfables.com
www.bartleby.com
http://www.bpib.com/illustrat/lawson.htm
http://www.darsie.net/talesofwonder/
http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Mythology_and_Folklore/Folklore/Folk_and_Fairy_Tales/
http://www.dusklight.com/aesop/
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Rhymes.html
http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Dell/3942/
http://www.highlights.com/
http://www.indianchild.com/nursery%20rhymes.htm
http://www.internet-at-work.com/hos_mcgrane/folk/folkhome.html
http://www.literature.org/authors/aesop/fables/
www.netrover.com/~kingskid/108.html
www.pacificnet.net/~johnr/aesop/
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimmtales.html
http://www.onestopenglish.com
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12. www.pantheon.org/mythica
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~pfa/dreamhouse/nursery/rhymes.html
http://scriptsforschools.com/
http://www.sleepytimeponies.com/
http://www.storiestogrowby.com/
www.teachers.net
http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/mff/
http://www.zelo.com/family/nursery/
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