“The time has come,” the Walrus said “To talk of many things: Of shoes and ships—and sealing was— Of cabbages—and kings— And why the sea is boiling hot— And whether pigs have wings.” Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass

Children’s Literature—because we become the books we read.

Texas A & M University—Texarkana Studies in Children’s Literature Course Syllabus Summer 2012

Instructor: Linda Buie Office Hours: By appointment Email: [email protected] Course Number: English 305 Course Title: Children’s Literature I Time: Tuesdays, June 12—July 10 Catalog Description: A survey of the history of children’s books, books for picture books and illustrators, fiction, folktales, fantasy and poetry.

Prerequisite: Junior classification

Texts:

Favorite Folktales From Around the World by Yolen

Red Glass by Resau

Judy Moody Gets Famous! By McDonald

Spin a Soft Black Song by Giovanni

Amazing Maurice & His Educated Rodents by Pratchett

Spiral-Bound by Renier Story of Doctor Doolittle by Lofting

Stone Child by Poblocki

Black Duck by Lisle

Course Objectives: Students will

(1) gain an understanding of the historical development of children’s literature in America and England. (2) gain an understanding of the genres of folktales, fiction, children’s poetry, and picture books. (3) gain an understanding of how to use children’s literature in the classroom to generate children’s writing, thinking, and dramatic play. (4) become familiar with the major awards given in the field of children’s literature. (5) gain an understanding of the relationship between reading and writing by writing poetry for children. (6) develop an appreciation for the best in literature for young children by substantial readings from highly-regarded literature.

Requirements: 1. Written reports on outside reading: a. 25 children’s books of various types: ABC, poetry, fiction, counting, etc. The 25 books must have received the Caldecott (either silver or gold). 2. Written analyses of required reading texts. 3. Oral Presentation. 4. Attendance: Because the course only consists of five class periods, it is imperative that students be present for each class. Grade: The final grade will be an average of the following: Oral Presentation 1 test grade 25 written reports on outside readings 3 test grades Book Analyses 2 test grades 2 Tests 1 test grade each

Academic Dishonesty: ETHICAL STANDARDS & ACADEMIC HONESTY 1. Academic Honesty is expected! 2. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students who commit “academic dishonesty” will automatically fail the course and be referred to TAMUT administration for further disciplinary action even if they are planning to graduate. See TAMUT Student Code of Conduct, University catalog. “Academic dishonesty” is defined as (a) plagiarism (putting your name on someone else’s work); (b) falsifying reports or signatures; (c) collaboration on assignments without prior approval; and (d) cheating on exams/quizzes (obtaining copies of exams/quizzes; changing answers after exam/quiz has been graded and requesting that it be re-graded; using unauthorized materials during exams/quizzes; looking at or glancing at another person’s exam/quiz; exchanging answers or information in any format during exams/quizzes; downloading any materials during on-line exams/quizzes).

Accommodations can be provided for students with a disability only after the student requests an accommodation and provides the appropriate written documentation of a disability. To request accommodations for this course students are responsible for the following: 1. contact the A&M-Texarkana Student Services Office to request appropriate accommodations; 2. provide documentation of a disability to the A&M-Texarkana Student Services Office and documentation must be less than 5 years old and 3. contact the instructor to discuss implementation of accommodations for this course. The Student Services Office is located in room 227 in the Aikin building or you can call 903-223-3062 for additional information.

University Drop Policy: To drop this course after the 12th class day, a student must complete the Drop/Withdrawal Request Form, located on the University website (http://tamut.edu/Registrar/droppingwithdrawing-from- classes.html) or obtained in the Registrar’s Office. The student must submit the signed and completed form to the instructor of each course indicated on the form to be dropped for his/her signature. The signature is not an “approval” to drop, but rather confirmation that the student has discussed the drop/withdrawal with the faculty member. The form must be submitted to the Registrar’s office for processing in person, email ([email protected]), mail (P. O. Box 5518, Texarkana, TX 75505) or fax (903-223-3140). Drop/withdraw forms missing any of the required information will not be accepted by the Registrar’s Office for processing. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the form is completed properly before submission. If a student stops participating in class (attending and submitting assignments) but does not complete and submit the drop/withdrawal form, a final grade based on work completed as outlined in the syllabus will be assigned.

Instructions for Oral Report on an Illustrator

Two students will provide an oral report on an important illustrator in children’s literature. Briefly give a few details about the artist’s background, focusing mostly on the illustrator’s style, work, and contributions in the area of children’s literature. Bring several of the illustrator’s most important works to class and read or summarize one or two of the books, depending on their length. The time limit is 15 minutes, and the grade is shared by the two people making the report. You should prepare a handout for the class that contains the following information: information about the illustrator’s style, titles of Caldecott books and/or other important books—including the ones you read or summarize in class, and a few suggestions for using one or more of the books in the classroom, including example writing prompts. You should have read (before your presentation!) all of the picture books you bring to class. Be sure your name is on the handout. You should prepare the handout and not just use something from the Internet.

Children’s Books Illustrators

This list contains the names of many noted children’s books illustrators. You may select an illustrator from this list, or you may select a favorite of yours. Maurice Sendak Nonny Hogrogian Brian Pinkney Leo and Diane Dillon Jerry Pinkney Barbara Cooney Patricia Polacco Mary Azarian Allen Say David Diaz Eric Carle Robert Lawson Peter Parnall Tomie de Paola Paul Goble Leo Lionni Chris Van Allsburg Betsy Lewin William Steig Graeme Base Marcia Brown Davis Wiesner Robert McCloskey