Children's Literature and Cultural Diversity

This course examines the language and literacy needs of elementary bilingual and ESL learners in the classroom. The focus will be on communication skills and strategies of reading, writing, speaking, listening, thinking, collaborating, viewing, and presenting. Students learn to judge the literary quality and cultural authenticity of multicultural literature. Integration of multicultural literature through literature-based instruction will be emphasized throughout the elementary curriculum to increase sensitivity to the role literature plays in the development of understanding across cultures.

Topics and Objectives

Introduction to Multicultural Literature

  • Analyze the five phases approach for the study of multicultural literature.
  • Identify the criteria for evaluating and authenticating multicultural literature.
  • Explore a working definition of culture.
  • Examine the components of literacy learning through multicultural literature with English language learners.
  • Evaluate strategies that promote cultural appreciation and understanding with English language learners.

Selecting and Evaluating Children's Multicultural Literature

  • Identify response to culture and language through folklore, poetry, and fictional literature with English language learners.
  • Explore programs designed to help English language learners in the classroom.
  • Examine language acquisition and literature-based instruction with English language learners.
  • Analyze organization strategies for literature-based instruction with English language learners.

Oral Language Development through Literature

  • Identify the criteria for a productive oral language development environment with English language learners.
  • Examine the stages of oral language development for English language learners.
  • Explore English language learners' listening and speaking development.

Reading Development through Literature

  • Identify the components of a productive reading environment with English language learners.
  • Examine the stages of reading development for English language learners.
  • Explore instructional strategies to assist English language learners throughout the reading process.

Writing Development through Literature

  • Identify the elements of a productive writing environment with English language learners.
  • Explore the stages of writing development for English language learners.
  • Examine instructional strategies to assist English language learners' writing development.

Interdisciplinary Literacy Learning through Literature-Based Instruction

  • Explore the use of nonfiction literature in content development with English language learners.
  • Examine strategies that engage English language learners with nonfiction literature and expository writing.
  • Analyze steps used to implement a literature-based unit with English language learners.
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