ED/LIT 3315-501

Children’s Literature
2005 Fall

• Dr. Patricia Leek • 972-883-4330 (FAX)

• 972-883-4407 • Office hours – Monday 2 – 6 PM; no student appointments
between 6 and 7 PM
• patricia.leek@utdallas.edu (UTD email only)
• http//:blackboard.utdallas.edu
You will be expected to interface with course information and content on Blackboard regularly. Check the course’s Blackboard site almost daily!
Course Description
This course is a broad introduction to children’s literature, focusing on the genres and concepts of publications for children from picture books to
informational books.
Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will have knowledge of:

• the history of children’s literature;

• the relationships between child development, cultural context, and children’s literature;
• illustrative techniques and their effectiveness in particular texts;
• criteria for studying and responding to literature;
• and characteristics of various sub-genres of children’s literature.

In addition, the students will develop skill in:

• evaluating and selecting materials for children;

• the use of critical thinking in the discussion (oral and written) of materials for children;
• and interpretation and evaluation of children’s literature, both research-based and transactional.

Nature of the Course and Resources

This course is designed to encourage the greatest possible dialogue (both written and oral) and exchange of views and ideas related to children’s
literature. Students will develop critical abilities in examining publications for children and will be required to do wide reading in the genres. The
primary emphasis will be on the materials themselves, but you will also be expected to become familiar with the extensive variety of resources
available for children’s literature.

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The course will use UTD Blackboard format for online communication, resources, online classes, and assignments. You will need to go to
http:blackboard.utdallas.edu to establish your new password. Click on “forgot my password” the first time you enter. You will then establish a new
password for this course. Blackboard administration will send you an email to your UTD email account that verifies your new password.

The following books are required:

Russell, David L. (2004) Literature for children: A short introduction, 5/e. New York: Pearson Education. (ISBN 0-8013-3086-6)

Bang, Molly. (2000) Picture this: How pictures work. Seastar Publishers.(ISBN 1-5871-7030-2)

Zipes, Jack, et al. The Norton Anthology Of Children's Literature. W. W. Norton & Co., Inc.. (ISBN 0393327760)

Traditional tales…listed within the calendar and available online (go to the sites and print out copies)

The course will address the following topics:

I. Contexts of Children’s literature, including history, child development, cultural and social diversity, study of and response to
children’s literature. The following websites will enhance your study of these topics.

http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/special/kay/HistoryofChildLit/childhood.html

http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/special/kay/HistoryofChildLit/classics.html

http://scils.rutgers.edu/~kvander/HistoryofChildLit/facsims.html

Multicultural Pavilion: Resources and Dialogue or Educators, Students, and Activitists

http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/teachers.html

Criteria to consider in choosing “multicultural" literature:

http://members.aol.com/mcsing29/bookcrit.htm

II. Genres of Children’s Literature including early childhood, picture storybooks, folk literature, poetry, fantasy, realistic and historical
fiction, biography and informational books, and children’s book award winners.

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 http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/storcoll.html
…links to some good children’s stories and multicultural stories.

http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/storfolk.html

…links to traditional folktales and fairy tales.

http://www.clau.org/litlinks.htm
…variety of resources including “book talk” synopses.

http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/AbbCroc.html

REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE COURSE

Please bring a book of your choice to class each time for possible book sharing and sustained silent reading.

Attendance is essential. Attendance will be taken and absences (for any reason) will seriously impact final grades.
• TWO tardies (or leaving early) – more than 10 - 15 minutes = One absence (and EACH tardy or leaving early thereafter is another
absence)…more than 10-15 minutes is half of a class absence.
• Two absences = Thirty (30) point deduction from final number of points earned
• Three absences = Sixty (60) point deduction from final number of points earned
• Four absences = Eighty point (80) point deduction from final number of points earned
• Attendance must also be met for online classes by completion of specified tasks related to each of the classes prior to the start of the
subsequent onsite class.

Quality work is expected. Just coming to class and doing assignments are not a guarantee of an A; rather, students are expected to participate and
produce quality work. Average work will result in average grades.

Assignments are to be completed and turned in on time. Assignments are to be completed and turned in on time; late assignments will not be
accepted. If an assignment is not turned in on time due to serious illness or another grave reason, contact the instructor before (if at all possible) class
to arrange for an extension. Depending on the circumstances and your communication with the instructor, a 25% deduction will be taken or all points
will be lost. Technology problems are NOT acceptable excuses for late work. Complete your assignments enough in advance to make sure your
computer, Internet provider, printer, Blackboard, etc. are in working order such that you can turn in your work on time. Save your work often and seek
advice and resources from the campus computer labs, if necessary.

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Tests
100 Points (50 per Test)

Exams will include material from the readings, lectures, and handouts. The first test will focus on Chapters 1-7, & 9, Molly Bang, lectures, and
handouts. The second test will be comprehensive, but will focus on Chapters 8 & 10, 11, 12, Appendix, lectures, handouts, folk literature readings, and
award winners.

Projects or papers- See Assignment descriptions on Blackboard Assignments

100 Points
1. 25 Points – Molly Bang Creative Picture Assignment + Short Essay
2. 25 Points – Individual Project
3. 25 Points – Group Project Author/Illustrator Study or Traditional Tale Comparative Study.
4. 25 Points – Electronic Journal On Blackboard Discussion Board

GRADES…Add the points you earn then divide by 200 to determine your grade.

Average 0% 60% 64% 68% 70% 74% 78% 80% 84% 88% 90% 94%+
Points 0 120 128 136 140 148 156 160 168 176 180 188
Grade F D- D D+ C- C C+ B- B B+ A- A

CALENDAR

Reading assignments are listed, but please allow some flexibility in topic presentation. There could be some adjustment in the calendar if the
instructor deems this beneficial and/or necessary.

You should check your UTD email and Blackboard almost daily for course information.

Week 1 – Aug. 23

T – Course introduction - syllabus; What is children’s literature?; Chapter 1 - History of Children’s Literature (read chapter);
Traditional tales(Cinderella tales)…history http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/cinderella/history.html ...versions available at
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0510a.html#jacobs; http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/cinderella/index.html & a fairy tale timeline
http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/introduction/timeline.html

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Week 2 – Aug. 30

T – Chapter 2 – The study of childhood (read chapter); Picture This: How Pictures Work (Read book); Get into groups of four for
your choice of projects (Author Study or Traditional Tale Comparative Study). Record your group members’ names and your choice
of projects on project board. Declare your author or traditional tale when you have decided; but remember, there can be no
duplications. Therefore, the sooner you choose, the more likely it will be that you will get your choice; Traditional tales (Aesop’s
Fables)…Norton’s Anthology pp. 387 – 412. (Read before class)

Week 3 – Sept. 6

T – Online class for Russell Chapter 5– Cultural and social diversity (read chapter)

Week 4 – Sept. 13

T – Chapter 4 – Responding to Literature (read chapter); Chapter 6 - Books of early childhood (read chapter); Read Alphabet
Books…Norton’s Anthology pp 1-32.

Week 5 – Sept. 20

T –Online class for Russell Chapter 7 – Picture storybooks; Norton’s Anthology pp. 1051 – 1098 and C1- C32.

Week 6– Sept. 27

T – Chapter 3 -The Study of Literature (read chapter); Introduction to Chapter 7, Picture Storybooks; Molly Bang Creative
assignment and essay due (Submitted using the Digital Drop Box on Blackboard);Traditional tales (Red Riding Hood
tales)…Norton’s Anthology pp.338-386

Week 7 – Oct. 4

T – (Group) Author Studies or Traditional Tale Presentations; Read Norton’s Anthology pp. 75 - 174; test review

Week 8 – Oct. 11

T – Test One (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Molly Bang, class handouts and notes)

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Week 9 – Oct. 18

T – Chapter 9 – Poetry (read chapter); Norton’s Anthology pp. 1117-1147 and 1149-1151 and 1181-1201.

Week 10 – Oct. 25

T – Chapter 11 – Realistic and Historical Fiction (read chapter); Chapter 12 – Biography and Informational books (read chapter);
Norton’s Anthology pp. your choice of stories in Adventure Stories Section pp. 1623 – 1804.

Week 11 – Nov. 1

T – Online class for Russell Chapter 8 - Folk Literature Online; Read Norton’s Anthology pp. 387-412 and 419-436 and 445-452
and your choice of legends on pages 445-502

Week 12 – Nov. 8

T – Chapter 10 – Fantasy (read chapter); Appendix; Test 2 Review; Norton’s Anthology pp. your choice of stories in Fantasy Section
pp. 551 – 596.

Week 13 – Nov. 15

T – Molly Bang Slides; Individual Project Presentations and Celebration (A-H)

Week 14 – Nov. 22

T – All Reading Requirement Electronic Journal entries must be posted before class; Molly Bang slides; Individual Project
Presentations and Celebration (I-Z)

Week 15 – Nov. 29

T– Test Two ( Comprehensive, but focusing on Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Appendix, Folk Literature, Molly Bang, handouts
and notes)

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Statements

If you are seeking teacher certification in Texas, you should familiarize yourself with competencies and exam frameworks for your
certification areas. Go to the following site, and then choose the standards for your certification area(s): http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/SBECOn-
line/standexam/examfram.asp
The University of Texas at Dallas complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act in making reasonable accommodations for qualified
students with disabilities. If you have a qualifying disability as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request
accommodation, please inform me by the 3rd class day.
Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, or collusion. If you engage in academic dishonesty related to this class, you will receive a
failing grade on the assignment and could receive a failing grade for the entire course. In addition, your case will be referred to the Dean of Students
for appropriate disciplinary action.
This syllabus is a tentative contract between the instructor of the course and its students. The instructor reserves the right to make changes to
the calendar, assignments, topics, and requirements if she deems this appropriate and beneficial.

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 Assignment
(Group) Author Study or Traditional Tale
Analysis (25 points)
Test One (50 pts)
Instructions Due Dates
See instructions on Blackboard Display in class Oct. 4
(Presentation board or PowerPoint on CD, not
diskette)
Chapters 1-7, 9, Molly Bang, lectures, handouts, Oct. 11
class experiences, etc.

Molly Bang Picture and Essay (25 points)
Electronic Journal On Blackboard Discussion
Board (25 points)
Individual Project (25 points)
See instructions on Blackboard under Submit in Microsoft Word** via Digital Drop
Assignments Box on Blackboard before class on Sept. 27
See instructions on Blackboard under Complete before class on Nov. 22
Assignments
See choices described on Blackboard under Nov. 15 (A-H) or Nov. 22 (I-Z)
Assignments

Test Two (50 points) Comprehensive, focusing on Chapters 8, 10 -12, Nov. 29

appendix, handouts, class presentations,
traditional tales, and applications of Russell and
Molly Bang

**Microsoft Office Suite (including Microsoft Word) is available on campus for a very small charge because of a campus-wide purchase
agreement. Take advantage of this opportunity! Your work must be in Microsoft Word for my computer to be able to open it.

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Digital Drop Box
From the Blackboard Learning System (Release 6) Student Manual

Overview
The Digital Drop Box enables Students to exchange files with the Instructor. A file added to the Drop Box will not appear to the Instructor
until it has been sent. Once a file has been sent to the Instructor, it cannot be removed from the Drop Box.

Simply click on the Drop Box button in the course menu to open the Digital Drop Box page.

The following functions are available from the Digital Drop Box page.
Add File: Upload files to the Drop Box.
Send File: Send a file to the Instructor.
Remove: Remove a file from the Drop Box.

Tips and Tricks

The following date and time information is included in files:
- files sent to the Instructor will show the date and time submitted
- files that are added to the Drop Box but not sent will show the date and time posted
- files sent from the Instructor will show the date and time received

Note: The date and time displayed in each instance is not the date and time on the user's machine, rather, it is the date and time on the
Blackboard Learning System server.

Add File to the Digital Drop Box

Files are added to the Digital Drop Box from the Add File page. The Add File page requests information on the title, file location, and any
comments regarding the file. A file is not automatically sent to the Instructor if it is placed in the Drop Box through the Add File option.

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Files must be sent through the Send File option. Files that are added to the Drop Box but not sent will show the date and time posted.
Once the file is sent to the Instructor it will show the date and time submitted.

On the Drop Box page, just click on 'Add File' to open the Add File page.
Title: Enter the title of the file.
File: Click Browse to locate a file or enter the exact path.
Comments: Enter any comments related to the file. These comments will appear beneath the title on the Drop Box page.

Send File from the Digital Drop Box

Students can select a file from the Digital Drop Box to send to the Instructor or select a file not in the Digital Drop Box on the Send File
page. A file sent to the Instructor that is not in the Digital Drop Box will be added to the Student's Drop Box when it is sent. Files that are
added to the Drop Box but not sent will show the date and time posted. Once the file is sent to the Instructor it will show the date and
time submitted.

On the Drop Box page, just click 'Send File' to open the 'Send File' page!
Select File: Click the drop-down arrow and select the file to send.
Title: Enter the title of the file.
File: Click Browse to upload a file and send it to the Instructor.
Comments: Enter any comments about the file. These comments will appear beneath the title on the Drop Box page.

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