English 3420: Literature for Young Children, 3 credit hours,
Instructor: Dr. Joel D. Rudinger
E-mail: jruding@bgnet.bgsu.edu
Course Description:
Reading and evaluation of books for children from birth through age 8; picture books, novels, folklore, informational literature, poetry, and bibliographical sources.
Prerequisite(s):
English 112
General description of course contents:
- A brief history of Children’s Literature
- Poetry for children (learning the music and power of words)
- Storytelling
- Multicultural Folktales
- Picture books, how pictures tell stories
- student sharing theme-related pix books
- study of individual books by instructor, art as message
- Field trip to Mazza Galleries, U. of Findlay. Unique illustration museum.
- One or more novels
- Hands-on projects
- to write a folktale-like story in the style of the Bros. Grimm
- to write and illustrate a children’s book (end result is free hard bound copy – Fall and Spring Semesters Only)
- create a “tunnel book” — Summer Session, possibly Fall and Spring semesters as time is available.
Texts:
Saltman, Judith – Riverside Anthology of Children’s Literature, 6th edition
White, E. B. – Charlotte’s Web
Russell, David L. – Literature for Children, 5th edition
Course objectives:
To foster an appreciation of literature for children and to emphasize the importance of literature in meeting the developmental emotional, intellectual, and recreational needs of children; to develop a critical ability to recognize quality children’s literature and to be able to express your analyses both in writing and verbally.
Attendance:
Attendance is taken daily.
Writing:
There are two writing projects in this class:
Writing a story based on selected folk motifs
Writing and illustrating a children’s book for publication
Grading:
Grading is A, B, C, D, and F
- A midterm exam: 50 pts “more or less”
- Impromptu quizzes variable pts
- Share-a-book day… 1-5 points per book presentation (three are scheduled)
- Project I: Write a folktale based on selected folk motifs…15 pts —
- Project II: Writing and illustrating a children’s book…100 pts (half the final exam)
- A final exam*
Extra credit opportunities:
(Extra credit is limited to 30 points for the semester.)
- Mazza Sunday field trip, 10 xcr pts. * (See: www.mazzamuseum.org for information on the Mazza galleries of original children’s illustrated book art.)
- Fall semester only, Mazza Weekend Institute (15 xcr pts)
- Attendance at relevant BG-Firelands public programs (5 xcr pts)