ENG 403: Final Portfolio Requirements

There are some issues with updating the Children's Literature site, so I have included details on your final portfolio below (see the previous post for Literature Circle portfolio requirements) :

Final Portfolio: 

The following items need to be included in your portfolio: 

1. Reading Log: You do not need to have ALL the activities filled in for all books, but you should have least two to three for each.  

• You should have at least 25 books on your list. I read several to you and we read even more in class in groups.  And, of course, you read for your book project and literature circle—that’s well over half of the required texts. 

2. Literature Snapshots*: (total of SIX)

• Picture Books, including your book project: 3
• Literature for ages 8+, including your literature circle book: 3

3. Lesson Plan Snapshots* for TWO of the lessons you did for your Picture Book Project—must include images of your project. 

• TWO of your best “Evaluating Literature” sheets completed during this course. May be a copy of one you did with other classmates. 

4. REFLECTION and PEER REVIEW: Literature Circle Peer Review (details on Literature Circle page). Final Course Reflection—two-page, double-spaced, 12 pt. TNR font that includes the following: 

• What did I learn during this course? Provide a brief summary or bulleted list of what you've learned AND how you will apply it (in your own classroom or with the children in your life). 
• If I could assign a THEME to this course, what would it be? Explain why. 
• What would suggestions would I make for teaching this course in the future? Thing about the methods used, activities you’d like to see or see MORE of, information you’d like to see covered that we didn’t cover or didn't cover enough of during the term.  
• What did I enjoy doing the most during this course?  Think about activities, the books we read, the discussions, the activities we did. 
• Any final words? 

All items that are STARRED are to be submitted electronically (via e-mail) as well as included in your portfolio. Items should be organized according to this list and secured in a portfolio cover like this (they are less than a few dollars and in some cases they come in packs of two so you can share one with a classmate): 

The COVER page should have your name and “Children’s Literature Portfolio” and any design elements you wish to include. 

You will be bringing your portfolio to class on Thursday, December 11th, at 8:30 AM. We will take time to share portfolios and close out the course. 

ENG 403: Literature Group Portfolio Requirements

There are some issues with updating the Children's Literature site, so I have included details on your final assignments below:

Literature Group Portfolio Requirements: 
With your group members you can either work together or separately to complete the following:

I. Lesson Plan Snapshots: EIGHT that cover the following (each group member should be responsible for TWO):
1. Identifying theme
2. Character development
3. Establishing setting
4. Analyzing text to determine character/theme/meaning
5-8. See Core Standards for your chosen age range to complete 5-8
3rd Grade Reading
5th Grade Reading
7th Grade Reading
9th Grade Reading

You can also choose to use the WV Language Arts Content Standards for grades 3, 4, 7, 9. Be sure to indicate the standards you are addressing in the "Learning Targets" section of the snapshot.

You must complete the activity you use for your snapshots using YOUR literature circle text. You may use sources and materials you find online to create your lesson, but be sure to cite the source where you find it AND indicate if you ADAPTED the lesson.  If your lesson includes a discussion or other activity that does NOT require students make or write something, then you must include questions (with answers) that you will ask.

If you are doing something that will be "acted out" such as a skit or tableau, you will need to write out the plan, do the activity, film it, and take a photo to include in the snapshot. You will send a clip of the skit/tableau with your snapshot (video should be no longer than 3 minutes and no less than 1 minute in length).

II. Resource Guide with list of web sites, resources and guides that can be used with your text--you should include at least 10 resources with a brief description (1-2 sentences) of each next to the URL. These can include informational sites, author pages, lesson plan sites or online reading guides.

Include at least 5 print-outs of graphic organizers, worksheets, activities that you could use with your text. They could be general or specific to your text. Include where you found each print-out. For example, this is a great vocabulary graphic organizer for Walk Two Moons.

III. Reflection: A TWO-PAGE reflection from each group member that includes the following:

• What is your overall reaction to the text? Did you like it or not? Why or why not?
• Choose TWO quotations/passages you found significant in the text and explain why. This can be a quote you feel connects to your life, inspires you, helped you understand the plot/characters, or simply the way it was written. 
• In what ways do you feel this text would appeal to children/young adults? 
• What do you think teachers should consider when teaching this text? 
• You are a teacher who is tasked with teaching this text to you class. How will you introduce it? How will you engage your students and get them excited or interested in reading it? 

Peer Review: A one-page review of yourself and each team member's contribution.  What did you do? In what ways did you contribute? What did your team members do? How do you feel about their effort/enthusiasm/attitude/work ethic/quality of their work?

The PEER REVIEW is to be included in YOUR personal Children's Literature portfolio and NOT in the group Literature Circle portfolio.

Be prepared to share your portfolio with the other groups on Thursday, December 11th .

CLASS: Tuesday, December 2

We only have three more meetings until the end of the term.  Here's the plan for the next three classes: 

1. Meet with your groups to work through literature circle activities. 

2. Develop a literature circle portfolio with your group members for your book. 

3. Create your literature snapshots. 

4. Compile your Children's Literature portfolio--due on our assigned exam day (we may be meeting at an alternative time and location--TBD). 

FINAL GRADE will include the following: 

*Author Profile

*Reading Log

*Evaluating literature forms

*Analysis Essay

*Literature Snapshots--SIX, including one for your book project, two picture books, three for 8-14+, including one for your literature circle book. 

*Lesson Plan Snapshot for one activity from your Children's Book Project

*Children's Book Project

*Literature Circle Group Portfolio

*Attendance and Participation

*Final Portfolio--specific details on what to include TBA

CLASS: Thursday, November 20

Greetings! During the final class sessions we will be participating in Literature Circles. A complete list of Literature Circle Groups has been posted! We will be going over specific activities over the next couple of classes. The goal will be for you to complete your book by December 2nd when we return from break. Starting this weekend, I will be posting literature circle-related materials to the web site.

For more details on the Literature Snapshot, go to the Children's Literature page.  Also, we discussed your teaching portfolios, specifically Lesson Plan Snapshots to showcase your work in an easy, accessible, and appealing way.  You can find that in (near the bottom).

Have a wonderful evening and see you tomorrow.

Literature Circle Book Choices!

This took a little longer than I thought! The list of books with links is complete. Please review the list and complete the brief survey by Monday, November 17th at 6 PM so I will have time to put together groups by Tuesday.

This is a great list full of classics, favorites, award winners and more.  Even though you will only be reading one for this assignment, this is an excellent list for any teacher to add to his/her reading list! You can also use this list to complete your Literature Snapshots (the template will be available shortly along with booklists, so check back later this weekend!). 

Literature Circles

Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Reading!

CLASS: Tuesday, November 11

Tomorrow we finish the picture book presentations! I've been thrilled so far. Next week I will be giving you back your article summaries and grades for your projects.

This author/illustrator . . . I simply adore his work. Can you tell me why?

The Bird King by Shaun Tan--http://www.shauntan.net

Picture Book Project Details

The details of the Picture Book Project have been posted! The finalized rubric will be posted by end-of-day, Sunday, 11/2.

Questions, please let me know. And please do not forget to hit the REFRESH button when you visit any of the Children's Literature pages to ensure you are accessing the latest content.

Have a wonderful week and remember . . .

CLASS: Thursday, October 23

Don't forget to bring your materials to work on your projects--bring items to save, swap, share . . .

Also, be sure to bring scissors, glue, and writing/drawing implements (crayons, markers, paints).

We will be working and reviewing Pinterest boards tomorrow, so if you haven't already, please send me a link to your board.

I can be found HERE! As for why I don't have a board for Children's Lit yet . . . well, I'm waiting to repin all of yours! :)

CLASS: Tuesday, October 21

Greetings!

During class on Tuesday we will be reviewing your Pinterest pages and discussing your projects! If you have materials to bring/swap/share to complete your projects, please hold onto them until Thursday.

See you soon!

Get for as low as a $1.00 at Amazon! A great addition to your library. 

Reminder: No Class on Thursday!

Be sure to check out the Children's Literature page for more details! See you Tuesday, October 21st.

The Silver Wood by Ruth Sanderson (from the book The Twelve Dancing Princesses)

Brilliant

Just because . . .

CLASS: Tuesday, September 30

Updates posted on the class page (click the Children's Literature tab above). Be sure to hit the REFRESH button on your browser!

From Up, Up, Up! by Susan Reed and illustrated by Rachel Oldfield.

CLASS: Thursday, September 25

Greetings!
We will be having a speaker tomorrow for the first half of class. She is a local preschool teacher and a lover of literature (as all people should be! Well, teachers at least . . . ). She has a wonderful project she is going to share with us. My goal will be for US to create a very similar project as a culminating project for our picture books portion of class.

We will continue to explore more titles over the upcoming weeks and we have the potential of a "field trip" which I will discuss with you tomorrow as well.

Don't forget to bring your own picture book to class tomorrow! See you then!

Beautiful art from The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat 

50 New Picture Books for Fall 2014

The Huffington Post has a great list of new books you can add to your collection!

Click HERE for the list!

Check out the amazing illustration from one of the books on the list:

CLASS: Thursday, September 11

I had a wonderful time in class today! Thank you! Erikson's stages of social-emotional development are posted as well as the assignments for next week.

Questions? Let me know! Have a wonderful weekend!

THURSDAY, September 4: NO CLASS

As discussed on Tuesday, there will be no class today in order to allow you to complete the Caldecott author profile project.

You need to complete the template (which you may edit and design as you see fit) and the Evaluating Literature form for TWO of the author's books.  They do NOT need to be Caldecott winners. They may be any other book the author has written. Be sure to send me your completed author profile via e-mail by Sunday evening. The Evaluating Literature forms may be turned in on Tuesday.

Also, I have decided to require the Reading Log as part of an end-of-year project, so be sure to keep up with it.  You are only required to include books you are reading for this class and books we read (or I read to you) in class.

Questions, please let me know.  And again, thank you for your patience on Tuesday while going over the history of children's literature. It was a lot of info, but isn't it amazing to see how far we've come?!

Have a wonderful week.

ENG 403 CLASS: Tuesday, September 2

Welcome to September! 

Please remember to bring TWO Caldecott winners to class on Tuesday. Please complete an Evaluating Literature form for ONE of the books you chose.

Click on the "Children's Literature" link above to access the course web site, including activities, assignments and MORE resources.

Click HERE for start your reading log. I've already included the first four books we've read in class. Start adding books and activity details for an excellent resource you'll use again and again.

See you Tuesday!

FALL 2014 Welcome!

Over the next week you'll find the following for the Composition I and Children's Literature courses:
Course Syllabus
Calendar
Activities
Resources
and more!