Developing a Children's Literature Course to Facilitate Pre-Service Teachers' Understanding of Culturally Relevant Texts

2021 ◽  
pp. 44-67
Author(s):  
Jill M. Davis ◽  
Nicole Pearce
Keyword(s):  
Children's Literature ◽  
Faculty Member ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Culturally Relevant ◽  
Children’S Literature ◽  
The Other ◽  
Seminal Work ◽  
Other World

This chapter describes the development of an undergraduate course focused on exploring children's literature using a critical lens. Descriptions of course assignments and activities are provided to illustrate how pre-service teachers engaged in learning how to identify and evaluate diverse books. Additionally, reflections provide insights into the lived experiences of the students enrolled in the class and the faculty member who created the course. The course framework emphasizes the importance of providing culturally relevant texts that reflect the cultures and identities of readers ages 3-12. This framework aligns with the seminal work of Bishop's “Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Glass Doors” that described the importance of children accessing books that are windows into other experiences, books that mirror their own lived experiences, and sliding glass doors that children can walk into the other world created by the author.

Books Like Me: Engaging the Community in the Intentional Selection of Culturally Relevant Children's Literature

2015 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Zygmunt ◽  
Patricia Clark ◽  
Susan Tancock ◽  
Wilfridah Mucherah ◽  
Jon Clausen
Keyword(s):  
Children's Literature ◽  
Culturally Relevant ◽  
Children’S Literature ◽  
Selection Of

scholarly journals Owls Are Good at Keeping Secrets: An Unusual Alphabet by S. O'Leary

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie Aitken
Keyword(s):  
Children's Literature ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Children’S Literature ◽  
The Other ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
The University ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Child Readers

O’Leary, Sara.  Owls Are Good at Keeping Secrets: An Unusual Alphabet. Illustrated by Jacob Grant. Tundra Books, 2018. From first to last, the phonic examples in O’Leary’s alphabet book are disarming:                 “Aa                 Alligators think you’d like them if you got to know them.”                 “Zz                Zebras would like to be first. Just once.“ Unlike so many other authors of this genre, O’Leary rarely struggles to find simple, memorable examples of words that begin with the appropriate vowels and consonants. The sole exception in his work is the use of “Chipmunks” to illustrate the sound of the letter “C.” Child readers would have to be mature enough to recognize the digraph (ch) and be alert to its sound. That exception being noted, all of the other phonic illustrations—even the ones for the “difficult” sounds—are straight-forward, playful and engaging.                 “Qq                 Quail get quite tired of being told to be quiet.”                 “Uu                 Unicorns believe in themselves.                 “Yy                 Yaks giggle at their own jokes.” Joseph Brant’s illustrations are all that they ought to be: large, clear, colourful and, most importantly in this type of book, unambiguous. His depiction of voles for the letter “V” is particularly endearing. Those of us involved in the field of children’s literature might want this illustration and its motto on our flag:                 “Vv                 Voles always want just one more book.” In any case, we should ensure that this delightful book is on our children’s library shelves. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Leslie Aitken Leslie Aitken’s long career in librarianship included selection of children’s literature for school, public, special and academic libraries. She was a Curriculum Librarian for the University of Alberta.              

scholarly journals Librarians’ book talks for children: An opportunity for widening reading practices?

2020 ◽  
pp. 146879842096494
Author(s):  
Catarina Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Children's Literature ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Children’S Literature ◽  
Early Years ◽  
The Other ◽  
Reading Engagement ◽  
Growing Up ◽  
Reading Practices ◽  
Printed Books

The importance of supporting children’s reading engagement and reading comprehension from the early years is widely acknowledged, particular for children growing up in areas characterized by socioeconomic challenges. This mission is collectively shared by teachers and librarians, although with differing starting points and responsibilities. This paper draws on a Swedish study of librarians’ book talks with eight-year-old students in Grade 2 and their teachers, and the views these participants express on reading and children’s literature. The methods used were observation and interview. In the analysis, different views appear regarding what reading is and might mean, such as the role that children’s literature plays in this. The results indicate two prominent narratives regarding reading, where one has a clear emphasis on being able to read and where the other stresses the pleasure of reading. Both these discourses display a narrowness regarding genres other than fiction literature, languages other than Swedish, and formats other than printed books. Further, an image of the reading child as an individual reader appears in both discourses. The results highlight the need for a broader approach that integrates functional reading with processes of reflection and active language use, drawing on the content in children’s literature, with an awareness of multilingual considerations. It is argued that children’s literature plays an important role in children developing a view of themselves as readers, and discovering that there are many ways to be a reader.

Translation of Children's Literature in Iran and the Dichotomy of Identities

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-63
Author(s):  
Shahrzad Tajeddini ◽  
Masoud Sharififar
Keyword(s):  
Children's Literature ◽  
Children’S Literature ◽  
The Other ◽  
Main Concern ◽  
Literary Field ◽  
Global Identity ◽  
Domestic Production ◽  
Young Readers ◽  
Frequent Type ◽  
New Concepts

As a neglected literary field in Iran, children's literature suffers a low domestic production and consequently the market is dominated by imported western books. Iranian translators have taken this opportunity to try to introduce children to new concepts from other cultures in hope of raising the level of tolerance and respect for ‘the other’ among them in a world dominated by the rhetoric of war. But young readers’ knowledge is limited; therefore they cannot be expected to comprehend the representations of other cultures which are taken for granted in adults’ literature. There emerges a conflict of norms in choosing to privilege domestication or foreignisation and thence local or global identity. In this study, four British children's books by Roald Dahl were chosen and compared with their Persian translations to find the main concerns of the translators in dealing with identity-reflecting items as classified by Helen T. Frank's research into translating for children, and thence to establish the most frequent type of identity encouraged by Persian translators for young readers. The article concludes that international understanding has been the main concern of Persian translators and global identity was more recurrently promoted by them.

scholarly journals The Dual Attitude towards the Arab Personality in the Contemporary Hebrew Children's Literature: A Critical Analysis of Ronette Gettleman's 'On Her Way

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-261
Keyword(s):  
Children's Literature ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Hate Speech ◽  
Children’S Literature ◽  
The Other ◽  
Hebrew Literature ◽  
Culture Of Peace ◽  
The One ◽  
Positive Outlook ◽  
Israeli Child

Having received a noticeable stature in the contemporary Hebrew children’s literature, Ronette Gettleman is one of the most renowned authors who have addressed the issue of hate speech and the culture of peace in contemporary Hebrew children’s literature. Hate speech is considered part of Zionist literature. Gettleman’s story On Her Way is a prominent piece of prose that depicts the Arabs and their image in Israeli children's minds. Hence, the story On Her Way was chosen as an attempt to identify, through selected excerpts from the story, how the Arab person is negatively portrayed in contemporary Hebrew children’s literature. The author, through some Israeli children, expresses the concepts of hostility and hatred in their conscience towards the Arab character. Like other Israeli authors, Gettleman shows that the image of Arabs in Hebrew literature raises fear, anxiety and terror whenever Israeli children hear the word "Arab". It also makes the culture of hatred and hostility a headline for the Israeli child. In contrast, the author highlights the culture of coexistence and peace among some Israeli children towards the Arab character. The story demonstrates that there are some Israeli children who are willing to coexist and live peacefully with Arabs. This story with its focus on both hatred and hostility on the one hand and coexistence and peace, on the other, shows the dual attitude of Israeli children towards Arabs. This is a new trend in contemporary Hebrew children's literature towards the Arab character and its positive outlook. Keywords: Contemporary Hebrew Children’s Literature, Hate speech, Culture of peace, Ronette Gettleman, On Her Way.

scholarly journals Några tankar om nordisk barnlitteratur och dess översättning ur ett polskt perspektiv

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-57
Author(s):  
Hanna Dymel-Trzebiatowska
Keyword(s):  
Children's Literature ◽  
Children’S Literature ◽  
Translation Studies ◽  
The Other ◽  
Final Part ◽  
Book Market ◽  
Implied Reader

Abstract The article explores two aspects of translations of Nordic children’s literature, which is more and more often defined by its authors as aimed at all readerships with no respect to age (allålderslitteratur). This stance may affect the theory of translation in reference to the category of the implied reader, which will have to be reconsidered. The concept of all-age literature is presented in the article as a solution to long academic discussions about the presence of an adult implied reader of children’s literature. The other perspective shows the presence of Scandinavian picturebooks on the Polish book market which have been published within the latest decade (e.g. by Svein Nyhus, Gro Dahle, Pernilla Stalfelt, Pija Lindenbaum, and Ulf Nilsson). These books are brave, taboo-breaking and translated without purifications, which refutes Elżbieta Zarych’s (2016) observations about the rules and mechanisms which are prevalent, i.e. that translators are still expected to mitigate and omit painful moments. The final part combines two aspects - the above-mentioned translations are free of adaptations, but it is difficult to assess whether the translators have taken into account the postulates of Scandinavian authors and their ambition to create all-age literature. Answers to the questions posed at the end (e.g. if the books are created for all, should they be translated for all?) might complete the translation studies with important and future-oriented insights.

A literatura infantil adaptada na educação inclusiva: alternativas de inclusão para o aluno autista numa perspectiva sociocomunitária

1969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca Scalon Peres de Paula
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Children's Literature ◽  
Social Behavior ◽  
Social History ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Children’S Literature ◽  
The Other ◽  
School Life ◽  
Social Situations ◽  
Medios De Comunicacion

RESUMOA escolarização da criança autista apresenta dificuldades, estando comprometida pelas dificuldades na interação social, expressão de sentimentos e pensamentos. A construção de um material de literatura infantil adaptado pode facilitar a interação social e a expressão contextualizada de si. A literatura infantil favorece a reflexão sobre a maneira de agir diante das situações sociais, possibilitando elencar atitudes próprias ao contexto. Desenvolvemos uma história social, suportada num livro multissensorial, que tem como mote o cotidiano escolar. Há também uma diversificação de suportes para a história: um CD com a história narrada, um texto com a escrita simplificada e outro com a história contada em comunicação aumentativa; atendendo às diferentes necessidades dos sujeitos. Espera-se que, com o uso desse material, que está em experimentação, amplie-se a possiblidade de interação entre professor-aluno e entre o aluno e seus pares, facilitando o processo de significação de conceitos e comportamentos sociais. Afirma-se a urgência de entender as especificidades da educação da pessoa autista, tanto na escola como fora dela, respeitando-a no seu direito de pertencer a uma comunidade.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Autismo. Inclusão. Literatura infantil. Literatura adaptada. Educaçãosociocomunitária. Children's literature adapted in inclusive education: alternatives for inclusion in the autistic student in socio-communitarian perspectiveABSTRACTThe schooling of autistic child has difficulty, being hampered by difficulties in social interaction, expression of feelings and thoughts. The construction of a material adapted children's literature can facilitate social interaction and contextual expression of oneself. Children's literature encourages reflection on how to act in social situations, allowing the context to list own attitudes. We developed a social history, backed by a multisensory book with the motto everyday school life. There is also a diversity of media for the story: a CD with narrated story, a text written with the simplified and the other with the story told in augmentative communication; meeting the different needs of individuals. It is expected that with the use of this material, which is in trial, magnify the possibility of interaction between teacher and student and between students and their peers, facilitating the process of meaning of concepts and social behavior. Affirms the urgent need to understand the specifics of education of autistic person, both in and outside school, respecting their right to belong to a community.KEYWORDS: Autism. Inclusion. Children's literature. Literature adapted. Socio-communitarian education. La literatura infantil adaptada a la educación inclusiva: alternativas para la inclusión del estudiante autista en la perspectiva socio-comunitariaRESUMENLa escolarización de los niños con autismo tiene dificultades, siendo obstaculizada por dificultades en la interacción social, la expresión de sentimientos y pensamientos. La construcción de un material de literatura para niños adaptada puede facilitar la interacción social y la expresión contextual de uno mismo. La literatura infantil estimula la reflexión sobre cómo actuar en situaciones sociales, lo que permite el marco a la lista de actitudes propias del contexto. Hemos desarrollado una historia social, respaldada por un libro multisensorial que lleva como lema la vida escolar cotidiana. También hay una diversidad de medios de comunicación para la historia: un CD con la historia narrada, un texto escrito de forma más simplificada y el otro con la historia narrada en la comunicación aumentativa; la satisfacción de las diferentes necesidades de los individuos. Se espera que con el uso de este material, que está en experimentación, que amplía la posibilidad de interacción entre el profesor y el alumno y entre alumnos y sus compañeros, lo que facilita el proceso de significado de los conceptos y del comportamiento social. Afirma la necesidad urgente de comprender las especificidades de la educación de la persona autista, tanto dentro como fuera de la escuela, respetando su derecho a pertenecer a una comunidad.PALABRAS CLAVE: Autismo. Inclusión. Literatura infantil y juvenil. Literatura adaptada. Laeducación Socio comunitaria.

Learning to support and sustain cultural (and linguistic) diversity: perspectives of preservice teachers

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roxanna Senyshyn ◽  
Ann Martinelli
Keyword(s):  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Children's Literature ◽  
Elementary Education ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Culturally Relevant ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Children’S Literature ◽  
Cultural And Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multicultural Children's Literature

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on a collaborative project and study implemented by two teacher educators in an elementary education program. To prepare teacher candidates for field experiences and practicum in a diverse (bilingual) urban school, the program uses coursework to impart asset-based pedagogies and practices. Design/methodology/approach In this mixed-method case study, this paper examined the awareness and perspectives of preservice teachers (n = 26) to cultural and linguistic diversity and relevant teaching and learning practices. In particular, this study gauged their engagement with multicultural children’s literature in a collaborative interclass activity. The data sources included beginning and end of semester survey responses, notes on participant interactions during the mid-semester collaborative interclass activity and participant retrospective reflections about the activity. Findings This paper found that teacher candidates showed increased awareness and positive shifts in perspectives. This study also ascertaind that, in learning to become culturally (and linguistically) responsive and sustaining teachers, they benefited from collaborative peer work that focused on learning about multicultural children’s literature, analyzing it and planning to integrate it into their classrooms. Originality/value Studies show that culturally relevant literature in schools is beneficial; however, teacher candidates often lack knowledge of such literature and how to use it. This need is especially critical and relevant when learning about and implementing culturally relevant and sustaining practices. The collaborative undertaking discussed in this study fills this gap through co-teaching and interclass activity that brings preservice teachers as a cohort to collaboratively learn about, discuss, reflect on and plan lessons as they prepare to work with students from different backgrounds than their own.

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