Course credit
3 credit hours
Course description
Evaluation, selection and teaching of literature in the elementary school language arts program.
Delivery
This course is available in a web-based format, utilizing web pages and WebCT, a computer conferencing program. WebCT requires Internet access and a web browser — no additional software is required. Students may need access to someone who can assist with computer set-up.
Prerequisites
none
Instructor
Timothy G. Weih, B.S., M.Ed., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Education
Dr. Weih received his B.S. degree from Iowa State University, his teaching certificate from the University of Iowa, his M.Ed degree from Wichita State University, and his Ph.D. from Kansas State University.
Dr. Weih taught elementary education for 14 years before teaching at the university level. At the university level, he has taught Children’s Literature, Elementary Curriculum, Curriculum Construction, Experience in Reading: Tutoring, and Elementary Classroom Management. His research interests include reading comprehension, reader response, and reading and writing connections.
He is currently the member of the following professional organizations: the Alpha Upsilon Alpha Honor Society of the International Reading Association, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, International Reading Association, Iowa Reading Association, Kansas Association of Teachers of English, Kansas Reading Association, and the National Council of Teachers of English.
Dr. Weih is married with three children. He enjoys spending time with his family, which includes a lot of outdoor activities such as fishing, canoeing, biking, and running.
Evaluation
16 assignments
Overview
The focus of this course is the evaluation, selection, and teaching of children’s literature in the elementary school language arts program. Children's literature is an essential component of many effective reading and language arts programs, especially those that adopt a holistic, literature-based approach. The course not only provides instructional materials for literacy education but also serves as the vehicle for integration of language arts into content subject areas.
Children's Literature is a survey/content course designed to help students acquire knowledge of the genres of children's literature and develop proficiency with analysis, evaluation, and selection of children's literature for elementary instruction. The course will also enhance the student’s understanding and appreciation of the role children’s literature can play in children’s learning.
Please note: This course requires access to a library with a good array of children's books.
Assignments
In conjunction with textbook reading assignments, the student has 16 written assignments that are aimed at achieving the focus of the course. The written assignments for this course are developed to help the student meet the following objectives:
Grading
The 16 written assignments for this course are each worth 40 points for a total of 640 points for the entire course. There are no exams. The student should type all the written assignments with one-inch margins, double spaced text, with Times New Roman or Arial size 12 font. The instructor expects at least half a page of writing for each chapter review question.
The following grading scale is used for this course.
Textbook(s)
Stoodt-Hill, B.D. & Amspaugh-Corson, L.B. (2005). Children's Literature: Discovery for a Lifetime (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Texts are available from the vendor of your choice or
University Book and Supply
1009 West 23rd Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Phone: 319-266-7581 or 800-728-7581
Fax: 319-277-1266
E-mail: bookstore@panthersupply.com
To enroll
ONLINE
GIS enrollment information
IN PERSON
UNI Continuing Education
2637 Hudson Road (corner of 27th St. and Hudson Rd.)
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0223
Campus map (Look for Building 31)
For more information
Cindy Klodt, Guided Independent Study
UNI Continuing Education
319-273-2123 or 800-772-1746
ContinuingEd@uni.edu