Essentials of Children's Literature

Directions: Be sure to make an electronic copy of your answer before submitting it to Ashworth College for grading. Unless otherwise stated, answer in complete sentences, and be sure to use correct English, spelling and grammar. Sources must be cited in APA format. Your response should be four (4) pages in length; refer to the "Assignment Format" page for specific format requirements.

The Textbook is Essentials of Children's Literature by Kathy G. Short, Carol Lunch-Brown and Carl M. Tomlinson 9th Edition

Part A: Choose to put yourself in the role of a kindergarten, first grade, or second grade teacher. Select three (3) books of children’s literature that you have discovered and believe are high quality and age appropriate. Describe two (2) ways that each of these books might support a child’s personal and academic growth. List one (1) common core standard that each book could be used to support.

These standards have been released and implemented for English language arts and math. You can download the standards. I encourage you to bookmark this site and visit it often. If you plan on being a classroom teacher, you will need to become familiar with it.

This link will take you to the portion of the website that explains how to read the standards and understand their labels: 

“Individual CCR anchor standards can be identified by their strand, CCR status, and number (R.CCR.6, for example). Individual grade-specific standards can be identified by their strand, grade, and number (or number and letter, where applicable), so that RI.4.3, for example, stands for Reading, Informational Text, grade 4, standard 3 and W.5.1a stands for Writing, grade 5, standard 1a. Strand designations can be found in brackets alongside the full strand title.”

Here is a first grade ELA standard:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.7 Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

Here is a second grade ELA standard:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.9 Compare and contrast two or more versions of the same story (e.g., Cinderella stories) by different authors or from different cultures.

Part B: Choose three (3) picture books that promote social justice. Then, describe three (3) different situations or questions that you could then share with the children in which you give a setting and a problem and ask the children what they could or would do to help.

Part C: Select three (3) picture books that lend themselves to interpretation through music, movement, or dramatization. Then, summarize the books you chose to use. Describe two (2) music, movement, or dramatic activities that you would use to engage children in follow up activities to each book.