English and North American Children's Literature A

2Grade

2.00Credits

semester not specified

Jamie Reay

This course will be taught mainly in English but with Japanese Language support

Togane Campus

This course aims to provide the students with an understanding of children's literature from both the UK and the US. It will give them a chronological progression of literature from books for those first starting to read, to upper elementary school level readers.  This course will also analyse the different features of children's literature as well as how culture and time period influence the writing of children's books.

This course will start with how children learn to read, looking at the teaching of phonics and the use of pictures books. It will progress through books for early readers, examining how rhymes, repetition. and tactile features are used to encourage young children to read. Famous authors of early reader books will also be studied, looking at the features of their books that make them popular. Next will be a series of lessons focusing on stories with morals / lessons, such as fables, myths and fairy tales. Famous British and American authors of books for upper elementary students will then be examined, looking at examples of their books and analysing different features used. Finally, students will work on a presentation to demonstrate what they have covered over the course of these lessons.

Course introduction. Learning to read / phonics and the alphabet.
Matching sounds to words. Phonics cards and pronunciation activities,

Preview: Picture books. Using imagination to tell stories. Sequencing activity.
Homework: Reading to prepare for the next lesson.

Picture books. Using imagination to tell stories.
Sequencing activity. Telling stories using pictures activity.

Review:  Learning to read / phonics and the alphabet. Matching sounds to words. Phonics cards and pronunciation activities,

Preview: Early Readers 1. Using rhyme and repetition. Tactile / pop up books / lift the flap.
Homework: Reading to prepare for the next lesson.

Early Readers 1. Using rhyme and repetition. Tactile / pop up books / lift the flap.
Rhyming activity. Write your own “That’s not my …” book activity.

Review: Picture books. Using imagination to tell stories.

Preview: Early readers 2. Famous British authors (David McKee, Roger Hargreaves)
Homework: Reading to prepare for the next lesson.

Early readers 2. Famous British authors (David McKee, Roger Hargreaves)
Think of your own Mr ____ or Little Miss ___ story activity.

Review: Early Readers 1. Using rhyme and repetition. Tactile / pop up books / lift the flap.

Preview: Early readers 3. Famous American authors (Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle).
Homework: Reading to prepare for the next lesson.

Early readers 3. Famous American authors (Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle).
Think of your own Dr Seuss short story.

Review: Early readers 2. Famous British authors (David McKee, Roger Hargreaves)

Preview: Fairy Tales 1. Fairy Tales and Aesop’s fables. Teaching morals / life lessons to kids.
Homework: Reading to prepare for the next lesson.

Fairy Tales 1. Fairy Tales and Aesop’s fables. Teaching morals / life lessons to kids.
Match morals to the correct fable activity.

Review: Early readers 3. Famous American authors (Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle).

Preview: Midterm assignment
Homework: Reading to prepare for the next lesson.

Midterm Review and assignment. Write your own Aesop's fable (In English or Japanese).

Review: Fairy Tales 1. Fairy Tales and Aesop’s fables. Teaching morals / life lessons to kids.

Preview: Fairy Tales 2. Looking at the origins of fairy tales, and fairy tales in different cultures. Original vs. Disneyfied.
Homework: Reading to prepare for the next lesson.

Fairy Tales 2. Looking at the origins of fairy tales, and fairy tales in different cultures. Original vs. Disneyfied.
Match tales to their country of origin. Compare differences between original fairy tales and Disneyfied
version.

Review: Midterm assignment.

Preview: Fairy Tales 3. Use of symbolism. Role of animals / people / gender / numbers.
Homework: Reading to prepare for the next lesson.

Fairy Tales 3. Use of symbolism. Role of animals / people / gender / numbers.
Match animals to their meaning / role in stories activity.

Review: Fairy Tales 2. Looking at the origins of fairy tales, and fairy tales in different cultures. Original vs. Disneyfied.

Review: Upper elementary children’s literature 1. British Authors (Roald Dahl, Raymond Briggs, Jaqueline Wilson)
Homework: Reading to prepare for the next lesson.

Upper elementary children’s literature 1. British Authors (Roald Dahl, Raymond Briggs, Jaqueline Wilson)
Story analysis activity.

Review: Fairy Tales 3. Use of symbolism. Role of animals / people / gender / numbers.

Preview: Upper elementary children’s literature 2. American Authors (E. B. White, R. L. Stine)
Homework: Reading to prepare for the next lesson.

Upper elementary children’s literature 2. American Authors (E. B. White, R. L. Stine)
Story analysis activity.

Review:  Upper elementary children’s literature 1. British Authors (Roald Dahl, Raymond Briggs, Jaqueline Wilson)

Preview: Book presentation preparation.
Homework: Reading to prepare for the next lesson.

Students will prepare for a presentation about a book of their choice that has been covered during this course.

Review: Upper elementary children’s literature 2. American Authors (E. B. White, R. L. Stine)

Preview: Book presentations.
Homework: Continue with book presentation preparation.

Students will deliver their presentations to the rest of the class.

Review: Book Presentations preparation.

Preview: Final Report.
Homework: Final Report preparation.

Complete Final Report (In English or Japanese)

Review: Book presentations.

Classwork: 30%
(Class participation: 15%)
(in-class assessments: 15%)    
             
Class activities/presentations: 30%
(Activities: 15%)
(Book Presentation:  15%)

Midterm Assignment: 10%

Final Report: 30%

Feedback on assignments to be given during next session or through written comments provided by the instructor.

No textbook required. A number of children’s books and other literacy resources will be provided to the students.

To be confirmed. Please ask the teacher.