ENG305.01W: Children s Literature I Dr. Brian C. Billings Web-based Class University Center 222 Summer I Semester (2014) Virtual Office Hours Texas A&M University-Texarkana (Blackboard) 903-223-3022 brian.billings@tamut.edu TEXTS Grahame, Kenneth. The Wind in the Willows. Illustrated ed. New York: Sterling, 2012. Print. (ISBN: 978-1402782831) Hahn, Mary Downing. The Doll in the Garden: A Ghost Story. Reprint ed. New York: Clarion, 2007. Print. (ISBN: 978-0618873159) Heyes, Carrie. Doodads: A Collection of Children s Poetry. Charleston: CreateSpace, 2009. Print. (ISBN: 978-1441482563) Jones, Diana Wynne. Enchanted Glass. Reprint ed. New York: Greenwillow, 2011. Print. (ISBN: 978-0061866852) Mankell, Henning. Secrets in the Fire. Trans. Anne Stuksrud. Toronto: Annick, 2003. Print. (ISBN: 978-1550378009) McDonald, Megan. Judy Moody, M.D.: The Doctor Is In! Reissue ed. Somerville, MA: Candlewick, 2010. Print. (ISBN: 978-0763648619) Palacio, R. J. Wonder. 1st ed. New York: Knopf, 2012. Print. (ISBN: 978-0375869020) Telgemeier, Raina. Smile. New York: Graphix, 2010. Print. (ISBN: 978-0545132060) Yolen, Jane, ed. Favorite Folktales from around the World. New York: Pantheon, 1986. Print. (ISBN: 978-0394751887) DESCRIPTION This course is a survey of chapter books for children (EC-6), children s poetry and songs, the history of children s books, picture books and their illustrators, and traditional storytelling (fables, fairy tales, folktales, myths, and parables). This course is Web-oriented; all assignments appear upon Blackboard.
STUDENT OBJECTIVES 1) Define children s literature as exactly as possible. 2) Explore the timeline of children s literature. 3) Learn traditional storytelling motifs, symbols, and techniques. 4) Share strategies for using children s literature in the classroom to promote creative writing, lateral thinking, and dramatic play. 5) Discuss the major awards granted to children s literature. 6) Develop principles for combating the difficulties associated with reading, teaching, and writing children s literature. STUDENT-LEARNING OUTCOMES 1) Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information about awards for children s books; early children s books; fables, fairy tales, folktales, legends, and myths; the content and construction of children s picture books; and the definitions for children s literature by completing sixteen online quizzes and earning at least three hundred and ninety-two of a possible five hundred and sixty points. 2) Synthesize information about the content and construction of a children s picture book by creating a children s picture-story e-book (earning at least two hundred and ten of a possible three hundred points). 3) Synthesize information about the content and construction of children s poems by writing fifteen original children s poems and creating a poetry anthology (earning at least seventy of a possible one hundred points). 4) Analyze children s songs using a formalist critical filter and create an anthology of ten analyzed children s songs (earning at least seventy of a possible one hundred points). 5) Analyze children s chapter books using a formalist critical filter by creating eight written reports (earning at least five hundred and sixty of a possible eight hundred points). 6) Analyze children s picture books using a formalist critical filter by creating eight written reports (earning at least five hundred and sixty of a possible eight hundred points).
PROJECTS 1) Anthology of Children s Songs Using instructor-provided audio and text files, assemble a typed anthology of ten children s songs. For each listed song, provide the following elements: title, composer (or composers), lyricist (or lyricists), lyrics (complete content), formalist analysis (rhythm, rhyme, musicality, and suitability), and detailed justification for using the song in a classroom lesson. Use no fewer than two hundred words for each analysis and justification. Place the songs behind a title page and a table of contents. Follow the instructor s provided template and writing guide. Failure to follow the proper guidelines will result in a failing grade for this assignment. 2) Picture-Story E-book Create a picture-story e-book for young children (ages five through eight). The instructor will assign a folktale or fairy tale for adaptation from Favorite Folktales from around the World. This assignment is a group project for three students who will function as an author, an illustrator, and a layout designer (including typography and image arrangement). The instructor will assign group members, but students may select their preferred roles within their groups. The completed book must satisfy the following requirements: a) Publish the e-book as a PDF document. b) The number of pages must be thirty-two. c) Letters may be no larger than thirty-point font unless the group members desire a specific typographic effect. d) Create pictures using at least three different types of media and scan the pictures to generate image files for incorporation into the e-book. When using found media (images that are not students original artwork), remember to include a works-cited page for the media. The use of found media counts as one medium for this project. e) Include an illustrated half-title page, an illustrated title page, and an illustrated copyright page. List the three media used in the e-book upon the copyright page. f) Include endpapers featuring a frontispiece and a tailpiece. g) Use no more than three text-free two-page spreads. h) Use no more than one thousand words and no fewer than two hundred and fifty words. i) Do not cut and paste the text from the assigned folktale or fairy tale to prepare the e-book. Adapt the story by changing characters, language, and scenarios. Only the basic sequence of events and theme should remain unchanged. j) Do not use the same page layouts consecutively. 3) Poetry Anthology Assemble an anthology of poetry for children. This anthology should feature fifteen original poems that follow all of the forms located in the PowerPoint presentation titled Forms for Children s Poetry. Title and type all pieces. Place the poems behind a title page and a table of contents. Follow the instructor s provided template and writing guide. Failure to follow the proper guidelines will result in a failing grade for this assignment.
4) Written Reports for Chapter Books For each instructor-assigned chapter book, write a written report that includes the following items: a two-hundred-word summary of the book (using present tense), a two-hundred-and-fiftyword review of the book (using third person) that addresses how to use the book in a classroom setting, and a three-hundred-word analysis of the book that follows the demands of an instructorprovided critical filter. Use proper grammar and mechanics; in particular, avoid using passive voice. 5) Written Reports for Picture Books Using Blackboard, participate in eight discussion forums that focus upon formalist analysis of instructor-provided picture books and how to use those books in a classroom setting. Each report must include a two-hundred-word formalist analysis and a two-hundred-word lesson description. Provide a descriptive header for each section. Do not provide separate posts for each section. To complete the written report, reply to one student s formalist analysis and another student s lesson description. Use one hundred words for each reply. Use proper grammar and mechanics; in particular, avoid using passive voice. REQUIREMENTS This course features numerous readings, eight postings, sixteen replies, and sixteen quizzes; four individual projects; and one group project. Submit each assignment by the instructor-provided due date. An assignment submitted after its due date has expired will not receive a grade. SUBMISSIONS Submit all written assignments to the appropriate assignment pages in Blackboard. Submit an assignment by the appropriate due date. The instructor does not accept late work. ATTENDANCE N/A UNIVERSITY DROP POLICY To drop this course after the twelfth class day, a student must complete the Drop or Withdrawal Request Form located on the university s Web site (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 for his or her signature. An obtained signature is not an approval to drop but confirmation that the student has discussed the drop or withdrawal with the faculty member. The student must submit the completed form to the registrar s office for processing in person, by e-mail (registrar@ tamut.edu), by mail (7101 University Avenue, Texarkana, Texas 75503) or by fax (903-223- 3140). The registrar s office will not accept or process drop or withdrawal forms missing any required information. Responsibility rests with the student to ensure that the registrar s office
receives a properly completed form. If a student stops participating in class (attending and submitting assignments) but does not complete and submit a drop or withdrawal form, that student will receive a final grade based upon completed work as outlined in the syllabus. DROP DATES (SUMMER I 2014) June 12, 2014 July 3, 2014 This is the last day to drop without receiving a grade. This is the last day to drop. CELLULAR PHONES N/A CONFERENCES Students should conference with the instructor for assignment clarification or immediate writing feedback. Please conference with the instructor using only Blackboard s e-mail. ACADEMIC HONESTY Students enrolled in this course should practice academic honesty. Cheating on examinations, unauthorized collaboration, falsification of research data, and plagiarism (the copying or undocumented use of materials from any source) constitute academic dishonesty and may be grounds for a grade of F in this course and disciplinary action. Each student is responsible for reading and understanding the University Policy on Academic Integrity (UPAI). ADA STATEMENT Students with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations through the Texas A&M University-Texarkana Disability Services Office by calling 903-223-3062. E-MAIL STATEMENT After Texas A&M University-Texarkana accepts an applicant as a student, that individual will receive an A&M-Texarkana e-mail account. Instructors and university officials will deliver official university correspondence to this account. Each individual is responsible for information sent and received via his or her university e-mail account, and each individual must check his or her official A&M-Texarkana e-mail account completely and frequently. Faculty members and students must use their university e-mail accounts (or Blackboard mail for online courses) when communicating about coursework. FUTURE TEACHERS For all future teachers, I have provided the TEKS standards provided by TEA in the appropriate content folder on Blackboard.
GRADING Each assignment corresponds to a given point value. The instructor calculates grades by dividing a student s accumulated points by the number of points possible. Points by Assignment Picture Story E-book 300 Story 100 Illustrations 100 Typography 100 Poetry Anthology 100 Quizzes (Sixteen) 560 Song Anthology 100 Written Reports for Chapter Books (Eight) 800 Written Reports for Picture Books (Eight) 800 Total Points Possible: 2660 Grade Computation (Example) Assignment Points Earned Points Possible Picture Story E-book 205 300 Poetry Anthology 100 100 Written Reports (Chapter Books) 650 800 Totaled Points: 955 1200 Grade = 955/1200 = 79.58% ~ 80.0% = B Scale for Grades 90%-99% = A 80%-89% = B 70%-79% = C 60%-69% = D 0%-50% = F
Tentative Schedule 06/02/14 Web Forum for the First Written Report for a Picture Book Opens (Room on the Broom) 06/03/14 Web First Quiz (Defining Children s Literature) 06/04/14 Web WEEK 1 06/05/14 Web 06/06/14 Web First Written Report for a Chapter Book Due (Judy Moody) (Reader-Oriented Analysis) Second Quiz (Timeline of Children s Literature) Forum for the First Written Report for a Picture Book Closes Forum for the Second Written Report for a Picture Book Opens (The Winged Cat) 06/07/14 Web Third Quiz (Myths and Legends) 06/08/14 Web 06/09/14 Web 06/10/14 Web Second Written Report for a Chapter Book Due (The Doll in the Garden) (Psychological Analysis) Fourth Quiz (Fables and Parables) Forum for the Second Written Report for a Picture Book Closes Forum for the Third Written Report for a Picture Book Opens (Interrupting Chicken) 06/11/14 Web Fifth Quiz (Fairy Tales and Folktales) WEEK 2 06/12/14 Web 06/13/14 Web 06/14/14 Web Third Written Report for a Chapter Book Due (Secrets in the Fire) (Marxist Analysis) Sixth Quiz (Awards for Children s Books) Forum for the Third Written Report for a Picture Book Closes Forum for the Fourth Written Report for a Picture Book Opens (The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses) 06/15/14 Web Seventh Quiz (Early Children s Books)
06/16/14 Web 06/17/14 Web 06/18/14 Web Fourth Written Report for a Chapter Book Due (Enchanted Glass) (Narrative-Structuralist Analysis) Eighth Quiz (Anatomy of a Picture Book) Forum for the Fourth Written Report for a Picture Book Closes Forum for the Fifth Written Report for a Picture Book Opens (Deep in the Swamp) WEEK 3 06/19/14 Web Ninth Quiz (Design and Composition for Picture Books) 06/20/14 Web 06/21/14 Web 06/22/14 Web Fifth Written Report for a Chapter Book Due (Doodads) (Formalist Analysis) Tenth Quiz (Styles of Art for Picture Books) Forum for the Fifth Written Report for a Picture Book Closes Forum for the Sixth Written Report for a Picture Book Opens (The Magic Babushka) Anthology of Children s Songs Due 06/23/14 Web Eleventh Quiz (Types of Media for Picture Books) 06/24/13 Web WEEK 4 06/25/13 Web 06/26/13 Web Sixth Written Report for a Chapter Book Due (Wonder) (Deconstructionist Analysis) Twelfth Quiz (Typography for Picture Books) Forum for the Sixth Written Report for a Picture Book Closes Forum for the Seventh Written Report for a Picture Book Opens (Whuppity Stoorie) Poetry Anthology Due 06/27/14 Web Thirteenth Quiz (Rhyming in Poetry) 06/28/14 Web
06/29/14 Web Seventh Written Report for a Chapter Book Due (Smile) (Mythic-Archetypal Analysis) Fourteenth Quiz (Rhythm in Poetry) Forum for the Seventh Written Report for a Picture Book Closes 06/30/14 Web Forum for the Eighth Written Report for a Picture Book Opens (Otis and Rae and the Grumbling Spunk) 07/01/14 Web Fifteenth Quiz (The Structure of Poetry) WEEK 5 07/02/14 Web 07/03/14 Web Eighth Written Report for a Chapter Book Due (The Wind in the Willows) (Feminist Analysis) Sixteenth Quiz (Song Lyrics) Forum for the Eighth Written Report for a Picture Book Closes Picture-Story E-book Due