ENG 251W - Children’s Literature

Credits: 4
Instructional Contact Hours: 4

Surveys literature for children in the elementary grades. Explores quality trade books for children; presents respected writers and illustrators in various genres. Dispels commonly misconceived and generic thinking about children’s literature, replacing with more perceptive criteria and reflective judgment of book selection. Results in greater knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of children’s literature. Credit may be earned in ENG 251W or LIT 251W but not both.

Prerequisite(s): ENG 111, ENG 111A, ENG 111C, or ENG 111H with a grade of “C” or higher
Corequisite(s): None
Lecture Hours: 60 Lab Hours: 0
Meets MTA Requirement:
Pass/NoCredit: Yes

Outcomes and Objectives

Outcome 1: Analyze children’s literature.

Interpret the meanings of children’s literary works, including nonfiction.
Identify and categorize various children’s literary genres and book styles.
Identify criteria to evaluate children’s literature, including nonfiction.
Demonstrate an understanding of multiple theoretical approaches.
Explain how text and illustration complement each other to engage young readers.
Examine both digital and print resources within children’s iterature.
Describe how a specific work speaks to children of various ages to meet their emotional, educational, social, and/or intellectual needs appropriate to their developing listening and reading skills.

Outcome 2: Demonstrate an understanding of the diverse nature of the context for children’s literature.

Explain how literature for children reflects the understanding of “childhood” in its historical and/or cultural context.
Evaluate the positive and appropriate depiction of diverse characters in terms of gender, ability, religion, race, ethnic origin, and/or dialect, etc.
Identify quality diverse books for children by applying selection criteria to relevant works.
Demonstrate an ability to overcome stereotypes about children’s literature.

Outcome 3: Participate in writing to learn activities.

Demonstrate analytical understanding through writing.
Demonstrate learning of concepts through writing.
Incorporate research to demonstrate application of concepts.

Outcome 4: Practice profession actions.

Engage with appropriate classroom read-aloud strategies for children.
Explore professional resources for incorporating children’s literature into teaching instruction (both digital and print).
Engage with Michigan Department of Education Standards-based strategies for instruction in grades PK-6.
Apply appropriate assessment tools within the Michigan Department of Education Standards.