OBJECTIVES:

Throughout the course participants will:

• Read and critique books to gain a greater knowledge of early chapter books that will engage younger and less skilled readers.
• Complete online assessments.
• Engage in discussions regarding the books.
• Complete four early chapter books independently.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

You will be able to locate the following texts at school and public libraries, local bookstores, and online:

• “Rise of the Earth Dragon” by Tracey West ISBN (0545646243)
• “Harriet the Invincible” by Ursula Vernon ISBN (9780545913423)
• “Kiki” by Kyla May ISBN (9780545496131)
• “Hilda and the Troll” by Luke Pearson ISBN (9781909263147)

"I THOUGHT THE ASSIGNMENTS WERE VERY WORTHWHILE FOR THIS SUBJECT MATTER, ESPECIALLY THE DISCUSSIONS BOARDS. IT WAS GREAT TO TRADE IDEAS AND PERSPECTIVES ON THE BOOKS WITH OTHER TEACHERS. I AM ALWAYS OPEN TO HEARING WHAT OTHER TEACHERS LIKE, WHAT THEIR STUDENTS RESPOND TO, WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T WORK IN THE CLASSROOM. THIS WAS THE PERFECT FORMAT FOR THE COURSE."

"THIS COURSE MADE ME MORE AWARE OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ILLUSTRATIONS IN CHILDREN'S BOOKS."

"I FEEL THE MOST VALUABLE PARTS OF THE COURSE WERE THE CHILDREN'S BOOKS WE READ, AND THE DISCUSSION BOARD. I FELT WRITING THE PAPER HELPED ME SOLIDIFY WHAT I WANTED TO SAY. THIS WAS A FUN AND VERY PRACTICAL COURSE."

"ENJOYED READING NEW BOOKS THAT I CAN USE IN MY CLASSROOM."

"THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS COURSE WERE CLEAR; TO READ NEWLY-PUBLISHED CHILDREN'S LITERATURE, TO DISCUSS WITH OTHER EDUCATORS THE BOOKS AND HOW ONE MIGHT USE THEM IN A CLASSROOM SETTING."

"THIS CLASS TAUGHT ME SO MUCH ABOUT A GENRE I WAS FRANKLY AVOIDING. I NOW UNDERSTAND IT BETTER AND VALUE IT MORE."

"THE LITERATURE WE READ IS VERY WORTHWHILE AS WELL AS THE DIALOGUE WITH OTHER EDUCATORS AND EXPOSURE TO THIS UNIQUE GENRE WAS SO VALUABLE."