Course Syllabus Course Information

ED/LIT 3315.081 Tuesday/Thursday 1 4 Childrens Literature

Professor Contact Information Dr. Patricia Leek (TDC) 972-883-2730 and ask to leave message or call cell phone patricia.leek@utdallas.edu (UTD Email only!) Office hours by appointment

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites and/or Other Restrictions Students are expected to show above average skills in the following areas: Critical reading, writing, and thinking skills Basic to mid-level computer skills (Internet, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, etc.) Time-management skills Effective study skills Effective communication skills Ability to reason and make sound judgments

Course Description This course is a broad introduction to childrens literature, focusing on the genres and concepts of publications for children from picture books to informational books. Learning experiences are designed to encourage the greatest possible dialogue (both written and oral) and exchange of views and ideas related to childrens 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 childrens literature.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

The students will describe and discuss the historical, social, and psychological contexts as well as the characteristics of various genres of childrens literature in reflections, portfolio selections, classroom discourse, and presentations, both written and oral. The students will appreciate the role of childrens literature in the aesthetic, efferent, and analytical growth of children as shown in reflections, presentation of genre choices, and discussions, a summative portfolio, as well as earning passing scores on embedded tests. The students will analyze, study, and respond to childrens literature genres and illustrative techniques by successfully creating a graphic representation and a summative portfolio. Students will also show their knowledge and skills by developing individual projects, responding to a cross-genre novel study, and achieving passing scores on embedded tests.

Required Textbooks and Materials Bang, Molly. (2000) Picture this: How pictures work. (ISBN 1-5871-7030-2) Dumas, Firoozeh. (2003). Funny in Farsi. New York: Random House. (Will be provided in classFree PDF file on Elearning) You should download the book to your CL flash drive before or after class. (or purchase). McCauley, David. (1990). Black and White. New York: Houghton Mifflin. Either the paperback or the hardback version is fine. (paperback ISBN-10: 0618636870 ISBN-13: 978-0618636877 hardback - ISBN-10: 0395521513 ISBN-13: 978-0395521519) Minimum 2 GB flash drive ONLY for Childrens Literature downloads and assignments. Put your name on it and do not lose it! Microsoft Office Suite (including Microsoft Word & PowerPoint) - available on campus for a low price because of a campus-wide purchase agreement. Take advantage of this opportunity! Your work must be in Microsoft Word or PowerPoint for my assignments. Russell, David L. (2012). Literature for children: A short introduction, 7/e. New York: Pearson Education. Recommended Textbooks and Materials Chambers, Aidan (1993). Tell me:children, reading, and talk. Portland, ME: Stenhouse Publishers. You will sign up for one of the following six literature circles in class: Armstrong, Alan and Schindler, S.D. (Illus.). (2005). Whittington. New York: Bantam Doubleday

Dell Books for Young Readers. (ISBN 0375828656) Bloor, Edward. (2006). London calling. Knoph Books for Young Readers. Hamilton, Virginia. (1983). Sweet whispers, brother rush. Amistad Publishers Sacchar, Louis (2000). Holes. Yearling. Vanderpool, Clare (2010). Moon over manifest. Delacort Press. Yolen, Jane (1992). Briar Rose. T. Doherty. Wide reading across the genres is important. Some readings are listed in the calendar, and some are available online. You will need to read many childrens books and stories; most will be of your own choice and are available online or at libraries or bookstores. You do not need to purchase a poetry book, Newbery, Caldecott, or Orbis Pictus (or Robert Sibert) winner, but you will need to have one of each available for assignments and tests. Lists available at the sites below:

List of Newbery winners and honors http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberyhonors/ newberymedal.cfm List of Caldecott winners and honors http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecotthonors/ caldecottmedal.cfm Lists of Orbis Pictus winner and honors and recommended or Robert Sibert Medal winners or honors http://www.ncte.org/awards/orbispictus http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/sibertmedal/index.cfm
Week/ date June 7 Topics Syllabus Assignments/Activities

Read and understand course requirements and policies Start looking for books and other readings Start your bibliography (50 book minimum) for your portfolio immediately Handout

Literary Criticism of Childrens Literature ebooks Chambers, Aiden. Tell Me *Note homework for June 9 (see below) June 9

NPR discussion at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php? storyId=122026529 Recommended book, handout

Hereafter, all homework is due on the date listed in the calendar.

*Cinderella & Red Riding Hood - Homework: Bring versions and/or images of Cinderella and Red Riding Hood look at library or online Extra Credit (possible 1-3 points) Write a reflection on your research of Cinderella/Red Riding Hood, create a graphic organizer, or create a PPT or any other reader response to the tales. *Russell Ch. 1 - Read Chapter 1 *Russell Ch. 2 - Read Chapter 2

June 14 Russell Ch. 3 Literary language Molly Bang, Picture This: How Pictures Work

Read Chapter 3, literary language handout

Read Molly Bang book

Sign up for Molly Bang folk/fairy tale

Lloyd Alexander article

Read article before class Extra Credit (possible 1-3 points) Write a reflection on the Alexander article, create a graphic organizer of the article, or create a PPT or any other appropriate reader response

June 16 Russell Ch. 6 Black and White

Read Chapter 6
Read Black and White - Extra Credit (possible 1-3 points) Write a reflection on the book, create a graphic organizer for the book, or create a PPT or any other reader response to the book.

June 21

Russell Ch. 7 Tell Me favorite Caldecott Chapter 4

Read Chapter 7 Choose a favorite Caldecott winner and type a minimum 200 word Tell Me reflection. Bring an artifact that you associate with the book. 10 points Read Chapter 4

Molly Bang image/essay

Molly Bang Image and short essay due by 11:59PM June 20 30 points

June 23

Submit to elearning before 11:59PM on June 20th! Literature Circles meet and plan today Literature Circle Genre Study- 30 points Multiple Choice Test 1 50 points (Chapters 1,2,3,4, 6,7, Molly Bang, ebooks, Alexander article, Cinderella/Red Riding Hood, Black and White, literary language, literary criticism)

June 28

Russell Chapter 5 Read Funny in Farsi before class Read Chapter 5 before class
Read Harlem at http://www.childrenslibrary.org/icdl/B ookPreview?

bookid=myrhrlm_00260006&route=simple_85,274_0_0_English_0&lang=English&msg=&i lang=English
And Grandma and Me at the Flea at

http://www.childrenslibrary.org/icdl/BookReader? bookid=hergran_00030022&twoPage=true&route=simple_85,274_0_0_English_0&size=0& fullscreen=false&pnum1=1&lang=English&ilang=English

Extra Credit (possible 1-3 points) Russell, p. 82, #2

June 30 Russell, Ch. 8

Read chapter 8 before class Homework: go to http://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com/2010/12/ poet-readings.html to view poets reading their own award winning poetry. The Great Poetry Read! 10 points

The Great Poetry Read! July 5

Chapter 11, Realism Read Chapter 11 before class.

Newbery Medal Winner or Honor Tell Me audio or video podcast 10 points Email to patricia.leek@utdallas.edu before class or submit to the class computer at the beginning of class share with your Literature Circle group

July 7

Graphic novels Gene Yang article Homework: Listen to Introductory Podcast at http://www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschool-resources/ podcast-episodes/podcast/introduction-graphic-novels-30326.html

Optional: Want to know more? A K-5 graphic novel series, Baby Mouse, is discussed in the podcast below. Listen to
http://www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschool-resources /podcast-episodes/podcast/babymouse-extravaganza-30555.html and go to http:// www.randomhouse.com/kids/babymouse/homepage.htm

Read Yang article.

Extra Credit (possible 1-3 points)

Bring a report, handout, poster, PPT, etc., describing graphic novels and resources (history, how you read them, quality authors and titles, websites that discuss quality graphic novels, etc.) to share with the class. Russell Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Read Russell Chapter 9 and Chapter 10. Jane Yolen Read Yolen article before class Jane Yolen video in class Russell Chapter Read Chapter 12 before class. 12 Award Winners Appendix (Newbery, Caldecott, Robert Sibert, Orbis Pictus, Coretta Orbis Pictus/ Robert Sibert Tell Me

July 12

July 14

Scott King, Bluebonnet,)

Choose a favorite Orbis Pictus or Robert Sibert medal winner or honor book (or recommended and type a minimum 200 word Tell Me reflection. Bring an artifact that you associate with the book. 10 points
Literature Circle Genre Study - 50 points - Literature Circles will present to class Approximately 20 min. per group

July 19

Literature Circles

July 21

Portfolio Presentations -Save portfolio to flash drive as lastnameportfolio.ppt or .pptx (e.g., jonesportfolio.ppt or jonesportfolio.pptx) and submit to class computer 30 points Take home essay test 50 points due by 11:59PM on July 22 (Friday night) Multiple choice Test 2 50 points All content, with focus on Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, award winners (appendix), Funny in Farsi, Jane Yolen, literature circle book, Yang article and graphic novels To Be Announced

July 26

July 28

Grading Policies Tests: (150 points) 1. 2. 3. Multiple Choice 1 - 50 points Multiple Choice 2 50 points Essay 50 points

Applications: (150 points) See Assignment Handout

Molly Bang Assignment Each student will sign up for a folk/fairy tale (list provided in class) and create a Molly Bang type image for your tale. You will write a two page paper summarizing your tale and discussing the process you went through to create your image. You will submit your paper and image to elearning by the date stated in the syllabus calendar 30 points Tell Me reflections and artifacts (Caldecott, Orbis Pictus) - 10 points each (about 200 words each) total 20 points (Bring hard copy to class on designated days in calendar Newbery Video or Audio Podcast Tell Me 10 points The Great Poetry Read! 10 points

PowerPoint Portfolio Pick the best of the work and most interesting information that you have experienced throughout the semester and showcase it in a PowerPoint Presentation. See Assignment handout for further instructions 30 points Literature Circle Genre Study 50 points Grading Scale for Childrens Literature 60% 180 D64% 192 D 68% 204 D+ 70% 210 C74% 222 C+ 78% 234 C+ 80% 240 B84% 252 B 88% 264 B+ 90% 270 A94%+ 282 A

Course & Instructor Policies

Attendance is essential. You are expected to attend every class, arriving on time and staying until dismissed, because this displays commitment to the class and respect for your professor and classmates. Doctors notes and the like are not excuses for absence(s); however, the instructor appreciates being informed about your reason for absence(s). Attendance will be tracked and absences (for any reason) as well as tardiness or leaving early can impact your final grade. One or two absences for important reasons will not result in a grade deduction, but arbitrary absences could be considered a lack of professionalism and result in a grade deduction. Three or four absences definitely will result in mandatory deductions. Arriving more than 5 minutes late or leaving more than 5 minutes before dismissal is considered missing half of a class. Absences are unacceptable, but at times life gets in the way. Each individual situation will be considered. In general, missing three classes will result in a deduction of one full letter grade from the grade represented by points earned, and missing four classes will result in a deduction of two full letter grades from the grade represented by points earned. More than four absences will result in failing the course. Policies

Read the assigned material and complete homework assignments BEFORE class. Take part in discussions, in-class assignments, and group work. Be prepared to ask questions about material you do not understand. You are responsible for determining and making up any work that you miss due to an absence. You should arrange to have a "class buddy" collect handouts, communicate information, and inform you about the material covered. I will not be responsible for missed materials due to an absence. The instructor will not pre-grade assignments. Pre-grading gives some students an unfair advantage and should not be necessary for upper-level or post-graduate students. The writing lab in the library can provide assistance. Also, peer review and study groups can be very helpful. Quality, neat work is expected. Work will be graded based upon the instructors evaluation of the quality of the work as well as completion of the work. Average work will result in average grades. Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the days listed in the calendar, unless stated otherwise. 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 class to arrange for an extension. Depending on individual circumstances, the assignment will either be accepted for credit, a minimum 25% deduction will be taken, or all points will be lost. NO emailed assignments will be accepted! Exams will be taken only on the dates listed in the syllabus; make-up tests will not be given except for extreme situations. The testing environment will be honored for the good of all. Once an exam begins, the instructor will not converse with anyone for any reason. Professionalism, attendance, positive participation, and timely fulfillment of the

assignments are expected. Completion of all assignments is essential. A students grade could be raised or lowered based on the instructors subjective evaluation of overall performance in the aforementioned areas. Extra Credit. See syllabus calendar for extra credit opportunities Technology. NO emailed assignments will be accepted! You need a minimum 2 GB flash drive dedicated for Childrens Literature. Label it and dont lose it! You will turn in some of your assignments by downloading your files from your flash drive to my computer. You will also have the opportunity to download some shared resources to it. The course will use UTD Elearning and UTD email only. Be sure to have your accounts in order and your computer working properly. You always have the option to come to campus and use the computers here. Only emails that are signed with your name, class, and section number will be answered. Put the course and section number in the subject line of your email to ensure that it gets through and will be opened. Please address the recipient respectfully and use correct grammar and spelling. Email correspondence should be appropriate and should not contain requests for handouts, notes, grades, etc. to be sent or faxed to you, and should NEVER be a request to treat your coursework and grade differently than what is outlined in the syllabus. Additionally, you should not request special favors or expect special considerations be given to you that are not afforded to other students in the class. Emails containing such content will not be answered. Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Word are required. Technology problems are NOT acceptable excuses for late work! Complete your assignments enough in advance to make sure your computer, Internet provider, printer, Elearning, 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 technology help desks. (972-883-2991) Use of laptops during class is limited to note taking. Surfing the web, working on other assignments, and reading emails is distracting and disrespectful to the instructor and your classmates. You will be asked to forego the use of your laptop in class if it is used for anything but note taking. Please turn your cell phone off during class. Other than in emergency situations, emailing, texting, twittering, IMing, surfing, and all the other electronicing is out.

Field Trip Policies/ Off-campus Instruction and Course Activities. - N/A

Student Conduct & Discipline The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic year. The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the universitys Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391). A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct. Academic Integrity The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as ones own work or material that is not ones own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings. Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from

any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the universitys policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective. Email Use
The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a students U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.

Withdrawal from Class The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled. Student Grievance Procedures Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the universitys Handbook of Operating Procedures. In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called the respondent). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondents School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Deans decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.

Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations. Incomplete Grade Policy As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at the semesters end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F. Disability Services The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is: The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22 PO Box 830688 Richardson, Texas 75083-0688 (972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY) Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or university may need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance. It is the students responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.

Religious Holy Days The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.
The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment. If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or designee.

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.