Description:

Children's Literature is meant for all students interested in bringing children and books together but is especially suited for those who are students with English or education majors; teachers already in the elementary school classroom; parents; those working with children in preschools, day-care centers and libraries; and grandparents and prospective parents. The course would also benefit those exploring the field of writing and illustrating for children. Students will identify children's needs and interests, list the criteria for choosing books for children, and demonstrate the means by which we can bring children and books together. Students will read, examine and critique a variety of children's literature selected by author, genre and historical time period. 3 hrs./wk.

Associated Costs: These are additional (out-of-pocket) expense considerations that students should expect in addition to the course tuition, fees, and textbooks. $20 to $50.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Identify children's needs and interests in respect to literature.
2. Relate the history of children's literature to its present form.
3. Identify the different types of children's literature, including Mother Goose books, picture books, alphabet, counting and concept books, folktales, fables, myths, epics, modern fantasy, animal stories, realistic fiction, historical fiction, biography, and informational books.
4. List and use criteria for judging the various types of children's books.
5. Recognize significant authors/illustrators and their works and identify factors which make them significant.
6. Identify and demonstrate the techniques for bringing children and books together.
7. Design and construct a simple children's book.
8. Identify issues of realism, social trends, and censorship in children's literature and evaluate sample books for use by children based on impact of these issues.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Children and Books Today
   A. Social influences
      1. Recognize social impact on children's literature.
      2. Identify current trends and barriers in children's literature.
      3. Identify goals for adults in encouraging reading.
   B. Child development
      1. Outline hierarchy of children's needs.
      2. Paraphrase theories of child development.

II. Guiding Children's Book Selection
   A. Literary qualities
      1. Define setting, point/s of view, characterization, plot, theme,
and style as they apply to children's literature.
      2. Identify these qualities within selected works.
   B. Authors and illustrators
      1. Apply library research skills to selected children's
authors/illustrators.
      2. Identify resources in our library which include children's
authors/illustrators.
      3. Report to the class on a famous children's author or
illustrator.
   C. Libraries
      1. Examine the layout and selection of a local children's library.
      2. Critique the library in terms of accessibility and acquisitions.

III. History of Children's Books
   A. History of books and printing
      1. Relate history of printing and books to modern children's
literature.
      2. Recognize earliest forms of children's books
      3. Design, write, illustrate and construct a children's book.
   B. Early children's literature
      1. Explain the theories of didacticism which guided early children's
literature.
      2. Identify milestones in the development of children's literature.
      3. Read, summarize and evaluate selected works.

IV. Artists and Children's Books
   A. Criteria for judging illustrations
      1. Examine and analyze use of color, line, shape, texture,
arrangement, typesetting.
      2. Identify artistic mediums such as oil/acrylics, pen and ink,
watercolor, and collage.
   B. Application
      1. Select, examine and evaluate works by various illustrators.
      2. Identify significant illustrators of children's literature.
   C. Caldecott Award
      1. List requirements for this award.
      2. Recreate the selection process.

V. Types of Children's Literature
   A. Types of genre
      1. Define the types of children's literature
         a. Books for the very young (Mother Goose, picture story,
alphabet, counting, concept, wordless, beginning readers, toy books)
         b. Folktales, fables, myths, and epics
         c. Modern fantasy and science fiction
         d. Poetry
         e. Modern fiction
         f. Historical fiction
         g. Biography
         h. Informational books
      2. List criteria for judging each of the types of children's
literature.
   B. Application
      1. Select, read, summarize, and evaluate works within each type.
      2. Identify significant authors within each type.
   C. Awards
      1. Identify major children's book awards including: 
         a. Newbery
         b. William Allen White
         c. Scott O'Dell
         d. Laura Ingalls Wilder
         e. Coretta Scott King
      2. List requirements for each award.

VI. Introducing Children to Literature and Encouraging Response
   A. Techniques
      1. Define and describe techniques for involving children with
literature, including:
         a. Storytelling
         b. Reading aloud
         c. Discussion groups
         d. Oral interpretation
         e. Theater/dramatics
         f. Readers' Theater
         g. Written response
   B. Application
      1. Demonstrate one of the above techniques in the classroom.
      2. Demonstrate one of the above techniques with children.

VII. Censorship
   A. Censored or challenged books
      1. Explain reasons some books are censored or challenged.
      2. Assess impact of censorship on children's literature and
children.
      3. List some commonly censored or challenged books and discuss their
content.
   B. Application
      1. Select, read, summarize and evaluate selected censored or
challenged books.
      2. Predict potential censorship problems within children's books.
      3. Prepare policy guidelines for censorship.
      4. Gather resources for consultation in case of challenge.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

25%   Reading and evaluation: Students will read samples of each genre
and evaluate each selection. These critiques should be saved as a future
selection guide.
15%   Presentations: Students will prepare a report on a famous children's
author/illustrator; present a children's story to the class and/or a group
of children; and critique a library and/or bookstore.
25%   Quizzes and tests.
20%   Participation and in-class activities.
15%   Book production: Students will design, write, illustrate, and
construct a children's book.

All work is graded on a point system and computed into percentages. The
final grade is based on the percentage of total points earned at
semester's end.

   90-100% = A
   80- 89% = B
   70- 79% = C
   60- 69% = D
   <   60% = F

Caveats:

1. Students need transportation to a local children's library.
2. Correct use of the English language is required on all papers.

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.