EDU2980 Children's Literature and Arts Integration

This course is a study of children's literature and arts integration as a basis for meaningful learning experiences and for stimulating a love of reading in elementary-grade students. Students will explore a broad range of reading materials in various genres and formats and learn to assess the components of worthy, developmentally appropriate literature. Students will also develop an understanding of the basic concepts of the arts through the study of children's literature. As such, this is considered a content specific course. Over the course of this semester, students will become familiar with popular authors and illustrators, while considering ways to excite children's interest in reading. They will be asked to respond deeply and critically to their own reading experiences, in order to understand how children's literature and arts integration can connect with its audience and illuminate and enhance any course of study.

Credits

4 sh

Prerequisite

EDU 2110, SOC 2430, EDU 2500, or permission of instructor

Offered

• Fall
• Winter
• Spring
• Summer

Notes

 

Course Outcomes

1. Students will develop an awareness of, and an appreciation for, the scope of children’s literature and the
   characteristics of different genres.
2. Students will become familiar with the various awards given in the field of children’s literature and consider
   selection criteria.
3. Students will be knowledgeable of the important role literature plays in the development of language and
   literacy.
4. Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to integrate children’s literature into the content areas of
   the Common Core State Standards, appraising fiction and nonfiction books with regard to quality,
   usefulness, and appeal.
5. Students will learn to select and use materials appropriate to the age, interests, developmental level,
   personal history, and exceptionalities of students in the elementary grades.
6. Students will become familiar with multicultural books that help develop an awareness of and an
   appreciation for other cultures, respecting both similarities and differences.
7. Students will explore contemporary issues in books for children and youth and examine reasons behind
   censorship attempts.
8. Students will identify the unique styles of noted authors and illustrators of children’s books and learn how to
   appreciate both forms of expression.
9. Students will develop competency in sharing books, stories, and poetry through a variety of means, both print
   and non-print.
10. Students will become familiar with research findings concerning students’ interests and reading preferences
    in the elementary grades, and recognize the value of using student surveys to guide selection of
    reading materials.