Read the following chapters in Children’s Literature, Briefly (7th ed.):
* Chapter 12: Contemporary
* Chapter 13: Historical Fiction
* Chapter 15: Informational
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After reading the assigned chapters, post to the forum using the QQTP method:
* Quotation that you feel is significant and memorable. Let us know why you chose it, what is significant for you. You could be agreeing or disagreeing with the statement.
* Questions about the data used, arguments made, information provided.
* Talking Points. Indicate at least five major talking points. Briefly discuss each. Might include: Why is it significant to you? Do you agree or disagree? How might you apply?
Then, read a minimum of 2 of your colleagues’ responses per forum, adding your own comments/insights, agreements, or questions as a response to their posts. Each response to your colleagues should be 1 well-developed paragraph.
EXAMPLE:
Quotation: “Picture books often are considered to be only for the very young. Yet picture books—from rugged board books for babies to the mysterious tales of Chris Van Allsburg and Shaun Tan, which adults appreciate wholeheartedly—exist for a wide range of readers” (p. 98). I think that the idea of using picture books in middle-school and even high-school classes is a great idea. Teens and adults secretly love picture books just as much as kids; when I was in middle school, our teacher still read aloud to us after lunch. It allowed for a much needed escape from the pressures of middle school and a chance to be a kid again.
Question: What are the advantages and disadvantages of using picture books in middle and high school?
TP1: One advantage might be that there is such a wide range of picture books now, some dealing with complex themes like gay marriage and homosexual parents. This might be a relatively safe way to introduce that topic in middle school. Are there other similar topics that picture books cover?
TP2: One disadvantage is that older students might feel like we are condescending to them by reading a picture book. They could become bored. Then again, don’t a lot of them have serious reading problems? Maybe this would help the weaker readers without calling attention to them.
TP3: It’s interesting to consider when and how the books would be incorporated. As a fun activity during or after lunch or other breaks? As the introduction to a new unit? As a reward? First thing Monday morning? Friday afternoons?
TP4: Perhaps the students could choose and/or read the picture books instead of the teacher. Ideally, the students could then read the books to an elementary school class or after-school program.
TP5: Can anyone suggest titles of picture books that could be used with older kids? Obviously, an alphabet book would not be appropriate, but maybe historical and nonfiction books would be.
