Jillian McGarrity 5/1/14 Dr.

Burke Comprehensive Childrens Literature Plan

1. Governing Principles: As a future teacher of America I think that literature is an important aspect within the classroom. In particular, childrens literature is an extremely important topic to cover in an Elementary classroom. Childrens literature is the basis foundation to a lively classroom and a thriving child. The reason childrens literature is important in an elementary classroom is because it is rich and diverse in opportunities. Much can be learned from childrens literature through the different stories they tell. Plot, character development, setting, imagery to just name a few, are all things that children can learn through reading different types of childrens literature. Reading is a pertinent element in a childrens education as they learn to become better speakers and writers. Childrens literature has the ability to push children to become more creative and grow in their knowledge. I believe that if chosen correctly, childrens literature can bring children to becoming independent and more cognitive thinkers.

2. Class Activities: I think that childrens literature and reading in general is one of the most important pieces in the early education puzzle of the youth. With that being said, I think that reading should be a part of a childs every single day in the classroom. In my classroom there will be a period of time a day for twenty minutes

in the morning called Sustained Silent Reading or SSR. This is a time of the day in which children are encouraged to read for simple pleasure and enjoyment of literature. They will not have to be reading a book that is assigned to them but one of their own choosing. This will promote and hopefully instill a love of literature and reading since they are not forced into reading a book they are uninterested in. There will be an incentive reading program in my classroom called Olympic reading Program. This is a program that is done monthly; children are to see how many different books they can read in a month. At the end of each week they are to have a parent sign off of what books they have read and how many. Stickers indicate how much they have read. At the end of each month depending on how many books they have read will indicate what kind of prize they will receive. These books may consist of books that are required to read for class as well as book that they chose to read at home. These activities would be designed for an upper elementary school level such as fifth grade, because it allows for more independency.

3. Classroom Setup: I would like to have a friendly and relaxing reading atmosphere for the children to enjoy. This area will be located around the classroom library for easy access of books. My dream would to have a little carpet area where there could be bean bag chairs for children to go sit at while they read. This would make the reading experience that much more unique and fun. This place will include machines for books on tape so that children can listen to them as well as PVC pipe telephone that children can put up to their ears to whisper read. These are wonderful tools as children can quietly hear themselves read out loud without

disturbing others. Realistically, and over time, I would like to have a diverse and fully stocked library ranging in different childrens literature genres . I would like to have all types like non fiction, poetry, multi cultural fiction, fiction, and fantasy. This will take while to accumulate but over time I would like to have a library that is that eclectic. Children will check out book by writing the book title and their name down on a piece of paper that is on a clipboard hanging on the wall in the library.

4. Teacher/Parent Relations: The biggest thing that will keep the parents involved in the development and growth of their children and reading the Olympic Reading Program. Since the child needs a parent signature, the parents will have to know what is going on in their childrens reading life. They will become involved whether it is helping their child read, or reading with their child, this program will hopefully keep the parents involved. I would also encourage the parent on back to school night that their childrens reading habits are developed with their help, so they should be involved as much as they possibly can.

5. Integrating Childrens Lit Into Other Subjects: One of the coolest items about childrens literature is its ability to be adapted into other subjects. I plan to have cross curricular moments whenever I can. I think history is one of the biggest areas in which literature and history can be combined. Much of history is told through stories so I would like to use childrens books as much as a possibly can. In particular there are fabulous books regarding the Holocaust that make it understandable to younger children like fifth graders that wouldnt happen through a text book.

Creating a unit around these books along with information regarding the Holocaust would be beneficial in childrens learning experiences. There are myriads of places in which literature and history can be tied together but I think childrens poetry can be linked towards many different subjects. Childrens poetry allows for an exploration of different subjects since the topics are so varied. In general, in teaching certain curriculums, I would like to use literature in other subjects, not just limiting it to English. There are wonderful books out there that explore different topics, cultures and time periods that many children can have an easier time relating to and understanding.

6. Resources: In teaching childrens literature, there are many places that teachers can draw resources and help from. One of the most accessible and obvious resources is fellow colleagues. Getting help and ideas from real life teachers is a wonderful resource and one can learn many valuable and wonderful tips from fellow teachers. For me, a wonderful resource is my mother. She is a veteran English teacher of 27 years. She holds treasured knowledge that one may not be able to find. She holds real life experiences with real life students which is one of the most important attributes of all. For other resources one can look to the World Wide Web. That is a tool that holds many different resources. Websites such as PBS and Scholastic are great places to start looking for activities and lessons regarding childrens literature as well as cross curricular childrens literature with other subjects.