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Course Information
ED/LIT 3315.001
Monday/Wednesday, 2:30 – 3:45
Children’s Literature
2009 Fall
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 children’s 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 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.
The students will describe and discuss the historical, social, and psychological contexts as well as
the characteristics of various genres of children’s literature in reflections, portfolio selections,
classroom discourse, and presentations, both written and oral.
The students will appreciate the role of children’s 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.
Armstrong, Alan and Schindler, S.D. (Illus.). (2005). Whittington. New York: Bantam Doubleday
Dell Books for Young Readers. (ISBN 0375828656)
Bang, Molly. (2000) Picture this: How pictures work. Seastar Publishers. (ISBN 1-5871-7030-2)
Dumas, Firoozeh. (2003). Funny in Farsi. New York: Random House. (Will be provided in
class…Free PDF file on WebCT) – You also may download the book to your CL flash
drive before or after class.
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 Children’s 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. (2009). Literature for children: A short introduction, 6/e. New York: Pearson
Education.
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 children’s books; most will be of your
own choice and are available at libraries or bookstores. You do not need to purchase a
Newbery, Caldecott, or Orbis Pictus winner, but you will need to have one of each
available for assignments and tests. Lists available at the sites below:
Multicultural children’s literature project will also require reading books available at libraries or
for purchase online or at bookstores
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 children’s books; most will be of your
own choice and are available at libraries or bookstores.
CL Week 1, August Syllabus, What is CL? Read and understand course requirements
24 and policies
Start looking for books and other readings –
Start you bibliography (50 book minimum)
for your portfolio immediately –
plan to read and work on this course
everyday!
August 26 Russell, Ch. 3 Read Chapter 3
CL Week 4, Sept. 14 Molly Bang, Picture This: How Read book before class
Pictures Work
1. Essay – 40 points
2. Multiple Choice - 40 points
3. Essay –40 points
4. Multiple Choice –50 points
• Molly Bang image - (create image, handout, and orally present it to the class) –
Create a Molly Bang representation of your assigned traditional tale. You must
sign up for a tale in class and identify the scene when you show it to the class.
You will burn your image to your Children’s Literature flash drive and bring to
class. Title your file as (lastname)MB (e.g., LeekMB.jpeg or SmithMB.pptx).
Combine in some fashion, colors (including background), lines, and distinctive
shapes in order to create your image using Bang's principles. (The key elements
are color, line, shape, and placement.) Part of your grade will be the quality of
your presentation. You should dress appropriately and help your classmates
understand Molly Bang principles with your explanation of your image. You
must provide each classmate with a handout that will help him or her learn from
your creation. Don't be realistic: follow the abstract style of Bang's depiction of
"Little Red Riding Hood" (e.g., She uses on a red triangle to characterize and
represent Red Riding Hood). - 20 points
• Tell Me reflections and artifacts (Caldecott, Poetry, Newbery, Orbis Pictus) - 10
points each (about 200 words each) – total 40 points
• Alexander reflection (minimum 200 words) – 10 points
• Cinderella and/or Red Riding Hood Reflection and illustration – 10 points
60% 64% 68% 70% 74% 78% 80% 84% 88% 90% 94%+
210-223 224-237 238-244 245-258 259-272 273-279 280-293 294-307 308-314 315-328 329-350
D- D D+ C- C C+ B- B B+ A- A
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. Doctor’s notes
and the like are not “excuses” for absences; 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 will impact your final grade.
• Arriving more than a few minutes late or leaving more than a few minutes before
dismissal is considered missing half of a class.
• Absences are unacceptable; however, TWO absences will not result in any point
deduction. A THIRD absence will result in a deduction of 10 points. A FOURTH
absence will result in a deduction of 15 points of the possible 350 points). Although
each individual situation will be considered, in general, missing five classes 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.
• 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 can
be very helpful.
• Quality, neat work is expected. Work will be graded based upon the instructor’s
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 25% deduction will be taken, or all points will be lost.
Technology.
• You need a minimum 2 GB flash drive dedicated for Children’s Literature. Label it and
don’t 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
consideration be given to you that is not afforded to other students in the class. Emails
containing such content will not be answered.
• Technology problems are NOT acceptable excuses for late work! Complete your
assignments enough in advance to make sure your computer, Internet provider, printer,
WebCT, 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 in JO
and the library, if necessary. (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 “electronic”ing is out.
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
university’s 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 one’s
own work or material that is not one’s 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 university’s 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
student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from
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.
Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and
Activities, of the university’s 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.
As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably
missed at the semester’s 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
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 student’s 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.
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.