This module will examine picture books, fiction, drama, and poetry written for children and explore the theory, content and practice of integrating the literary and performing arts into the early learning environments. Emphasis is placed on aesthetic development of young children through picture books and poetry. Students will be immersed in the best of children’s literature while learning the basic tenet of effective writing. Students will gain a familiarity with contemporary children’s literature; with a sharpened ability to analyse a text; and gain a heightened delight in children’s books. Each student should find ample opportunity to explore children’s literature and writing for children in a way that is personally meaningful and relevant to him or her.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1
Define the characteristics of the various genres of children’s literature, including a familiarity of classifications within each genre.
LO2
Understand how narrative and aesthetic approaches in contemporary children’s literature, its genres and theories can respond to the new media landscape.
LO3
Research the world of professional writing and publishing for children in literary fiction
LO4
Evaluate the style and illustrations of contemporary picture book illustrators
LO5
Explore ways of eliciting meaningful, thoughtful, and creative responses to children’s literature.
LO6
Adapt stories into a dramatic structure for young children.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
Module Content & Assessment
Indicative Content
Introduction
• Overview of the Genres of Children’s Literature
• Developing Appreciation of Children’s Literature
Selecting and Evaluating Children’s Literature.
• Identifying literary elements
• Determining basic text structures across genres
• Identifying and evaluating authorial devices.
The quality of the book, authors, and illustrators
• Quality literature in each genre?
• Literary elements for each genre?
• Outstanding authors and illustrators in each genre?
• Artistic media used to illustrate children’s books?
• How do the artistic elements impact the contribution of illustrations to the
overall quality of the book?
Poetry
• Elements and structures of children’s poetry
• Literary devices
• Strategies for reading and responding to children’s Poetry
• Using Media tools to encourage response.
Traditional Literature
• Identifying elements and structures of Traditional Literature
• Fairy Tales
• Folktales
• Drama
Postmodernism
• Survey of theories of children’s literature in a new media age.
• Postmodern picture books as a case
• New horizons and transdisciplinary perspectives
Social and Cultural Issues in Children’s Literature.
• The diversity perspective:
• What ideological assumptions are uncovered through an in depth analysis of children’s literature?
• How do we select books that represent the diverse populations evident in early years environments?.
Assessment Breakdown
%
Continuous Assessment
100.00%
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type
Assessment Description
Outcome addressed
% of total
Assessment Date
Portfolio
n/a
100.00
n/a
No Project
No Practical
No End of Module Formal Examination
SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment