First Class for ENG 238: Children's Literature

Brenda Rhone
Teacher at TJES/UTTC

I am unavailable for class until after January 13. So our first in-class session will be on January 20. However, I have created some screencasts for you to watch…one to introduce myself and to model your first assignment and others to review Chapters 1 and 2. (Don't worry, you won't be watching forever! Each screencast can only be 5 minutes long!)

I am going on a mission trip to Guatemala with my daughter at the beginning of the semester. Hopefully, I will have some things to share with you when I get back!

I can't tell you how excited I am to be teaching this Children's Literature class!! I love books…particularly children's books!



ENG 238 Syllabus
 Please read through the syllablus. Print yourself a copy for your record and bring me the signature sheet on the last page saying that you have seen the syllabus in class on Monday. Along with the syllabus is a weekly assignment calendar. Peruse through it to get an idea of the projects and assignments that we will be doing this semester. The rubrics for projects are included in the syllabus as well.

The Syllabus for this class is on the UTTC website under the handouts for this class! .

Two things will remain consistent throughout the semester:  

1. You will do a quiz for each chapter online and then submit the results to me via email. Good news is that you can retake it to get a good score. So if you take your time, use your book, and identify the correct information, you will do very well with this assignment.
2. As we discuss each genre, you will need to bring a book from that genre.There is a sheet with specific information that you will need about the book and you will share it will the class. The exact schedule is in the syllabus.

Upcoming Projects...

• You will also create an author presentation AND a theme presentation during the semester.
• We will read two novels: One is a historical fiction, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, and a contemporary fiction, The Tiger Rising.
• You will create a Children's Literature Binder throughout the semester…get started on this as soon as possible! (See the tabs needed in the rubric for this assignment in the syllabus!)

Screencast about my and my autobiography bag of books:

Please watch the screen-cast about me…and books that are in my "bio-bag." You will also create a bio-bag of books to share in class on Jan. 20. See the rubric attached in the UTTC website for more specific information and expectations.  Click on the link below to view screencast:

My Bio-Bag and ME

Screencast about Chapter 1:

Watch the Chapter 1 Screencast with notes from the chapter…and read the chapter. Use the notes as you read to take additional notes or follow along. These will help you as you do the quiz. Then do the quiz for Chapter 1.

CH. 1 SCREENCAST - PART 1

CH. 1 SCREENCAST -PART 2

Screencast for Chapter 2:
Same as chapter 1…except chapter 2. Don't forget to do the quiz! :)

CH. 2 SCREENCAST

Chapter Quizzes:

Please click on the link to sign in for the quizzes from the book:

(This is where you will go to take a chapter quiz each week.)

http://wps.ablongman.com/ab_temple_childbook_3/39/10069/2577909.cw/index.html

Assignments Due by January 20:

1. Download handouts from MY UTTC site…Under Children's literature…on the Mainpage! (Syllabus, Ch 1 and 2 notes/slides, and rubric for first assignment)
2. Read through this blog and listen to all the links!
3. Make sure your email that is attached to the My UTTC website is the one you check as this is will be my way to communicate with you…along with this blog.
4. Read Chapters 1 and 2. 
5. Watch the Screencast for Chapters 1 and 2. 
6. Go to website where you will take quizzes to get familiar with the site. Click on the chapter you will be reading. Take the Practice Quiz for Chapters 1 & 2. (Remember you can retake the test…it's most important that you know the RIGHT information!) Email the results. You may email them to yourself if you would like, but you must email them to me. Email them as an HTML attachment.
7. Create your own BioBag.  See the scoring sheet on the UTTC website. Find a collection of books that you have loved reading…a couple from childhood, middle/high school, ones you've shared with children? and from adulthood. Refer to my "biobag" screen-cast and the rubric on the MY UTTC website if you aren't sure about what to expect. Please bring the books to class if possible. (If you are unable to find the book, bring a picture of the cover.)
8. Add a "paragraph-sized" comment to the blog below. The main purpose for this assignment is that I know you are signed in and using the blog…so you may comment on anything of your choice: excitement/anxiety about this class, something about yourself, comments or questions on the assignments, etc..

Good luck! I can't wait to see everyone on Monday, January 20 at 4:00 in Building 204 at TJES.
If you have any questions, you can email me at brhone@uttc.edu…I will get back to you as soon as I can.