Instructor: Catherine Ring
EDEN 528 Teaching Children’s Literature: An Arts Approach (pre-K-8)
Course Description
This course is designed for pre-service and in-service teachers of kindergarten through grade 8. A rationale for integrating the arts will be provided, including strong evidence that the arts enhance student achievement in other academic areas. Practical strategies for using visual art, poetry, drama, story telling and music to enhance children’s experience and understanding of literature will be a major part of the course. Discussions in class will include a review of genres in children’s literature.
Integrating the arts and literature fosters the active participation and in-depth understanding that it is as important for practicing teachers as it is for elementary-school children. Combined with an emphasis on multi-cultural and international literature, the focus on the aesthetic and artistic aspects of literature, music, the visual arts and drama promotes culturally responsive and researched-based teaching, making reading more inviting to diverse groups with varied learning styles. Multiple points of entry open up new dimensions in literature, helping readers develop their unique talents and abilities.
This study may be taken for 3 semester hours of graduate credit through Endicott College (Van Loan School of Graduate and Professional Studies, Beverly, MA).
The course will meet in two sessions and includes extensive inter-session and post- session work. Two weekend sessions meet on Friday, 4-8 pm and Saturday, 8-4 pm. The course is accepted by the Maine Department of Education for re-certification. This course is designed for pre-service and in-service teachers of kindergarten through grade 8.
Materials Required:
Encountering Children’s Literature: An Arts Approach. Jane M. Gangi., Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 2003.
A laptop is required. Please bring to the first session. Internet access is a requirement during the course. If this is problematic for you, please contact the instructor.
