Teaching
Literature to Adolescents
Instructor: Michelle Holschuh Simmons
Office number: N292 Lindquist (from yellow stairs, turn left, then
quick right to my office halfway down the hall)
Office hours: 1:30-4:30 Wednesdays & by appointment
Office: (319) 335-6438
Home: (319) 338-9036 (after 7AM; before 9PM)
Email: michelle-h-simmons@uiowa.edu
Course number: 07S: 193 / 08P: 198
Semester: Fall 2004
Class time: Wednesdays 4:30-6:50
Meeting place: N219 Lindquist Center
Course website: http://www.uiowa.edu/~c07s193d/
Course WebCT site: https://webct4.its.uiowa.edu/
(Log in with you HawkID and password)
Curriculum Resources Lab: http://www.education.uiowa.edu/crl/
Curriculum Resources Lab Librarians:
Paula
Brandt (paula-brandt@uiowa.edu)
Sara Glenn (sara-glenn@uiowa.edu)
Course
supervisor:
Bonnie Sunstein
N266 Lindquist Center
(319) 335 5607
bonnie-sunstein@uiowa.edu
Course
Description:
This course is designed to explore the many variables that inform the
teaching of literature in the middle and secondary school. In this course,
we will be immersing ourselves in a range of literary texts at the same
time that we are thinking through the multiple ways in which those texts,
teachers, and students interact with one another. Our goals will be
to familiarize ourselves with the conventions of how literature is read
and taught in school, along with investigating strategies to teach literature
to adolescents within the contexts of various classroom settings. Our
weekly class time will allow for discussion on the planning and teaching
of literature, introductions to a wide array of adolescent literature,
along with small-group work and individual writing prompts that will
explore your own development as both a student and teacher of literature.
Objectives:
- To reflect
on our own lives as readers and to become aware of how our own experiences
with reading influence the ways we teach literature.
- To read
a wide range of genres and types of literature that is appropriate
for adolescent readers.
- To become
aware of bibliographic tools that provide subject access to literature
for adolescents.
- To learn
about critical approaches that allow students see literature through
a variety of critical lenses.
- To query
our own assumptions about literature as a way to gain insight into
our teaching practices.
Note:
I would like to hear from anyone who has a disability that may require
some modification of seating, testing, or other class requirements.
Please talk me after class or during office hours so that appropriate
arrangements can be made. It is my intention that students from diverse
backgrounds and perspectives will feel welcome and valued in this course.
Note: This course is given by the College of Education. This
means that class policies on matters such as requirements, grading,
and sanctions for academic dishonesty are governed by the College of
Education. Students wishing to add or drop this course after the official
deadline must receive the approval of the Dean of the College of Education.
Details of the University policy of cross enrollments may be found at:
http://www.uiowa.edu/~provost/deos/crossenroll.doc
INTASC Standards:
If you have been admitted into the teacher education program, then you
will need to add the following assignments to your e-portfolio:
- Final
Teaching Project: Standards A, D, G
- Reading
Autobiography: Standard H
Note:
For successful completion of this course, you must upload these documents
to your e-portfolio!
Note:
If you have not yet been admitted to the teacher education program but
you intend to apply at some point in the future, be sure to save these
two documents (electronically) so that you can upload them once you
have been admitted.
Required
texts: (all texts are available at Prairie Lights Books, 15 S. Dubuque
Street)
- Am
I Blue by Marion Dane Bauer
- Athletic
Shorts by Chris Crutcher
- Fast
Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
- The
Giver by Lois Lowry
- Maus:
A Survivor's Tale by Art Spiegelman
- Of
Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
- Our
America by LeAlan Jones and Lloyd Newman
- Rainbow
Boys by Alex Sanchez
- Sisterhood
of the Traveling Pants by Ann Branshares
- Stargirl
by Jerry Spinelli
- A
Step from Heaven by An Na
- There
Are No Children Here by Alan Kotlowitz
- Critical
Encounters in High School English by Deborah Appleman
In addition
to these books, you will be required to read a substantial number of
books that you will select. You can acquire these supplementary books
from the Curriculum Lab, from a public library, from Prairie Lights,
from an online source, or from a bookstore of your choice.
Course
requirements and assignments: (detailed assignment sheets will be
distributed for each of the assignments)
- Professionalism
at all class meetings. Because this course is intended to prepare
you for a career in teaching, professionalism is an important element
of this course. Therefore, I expect attendance, punctuality, respect
for others, diplomacy, and engagement. Attendance: Since we
only meet once per week, it is essential that you attend all classes.
If you must miss a class, please email me before our meeting time.
However, sending me an email does not excuse the absence, and any
absence may lower your final grade. Punctuality: We will begin
class at 4:30; habitual tardiness may also affect your grade. Respect
for others, diplomacy, and engagement: Discussion (both whole
class and small-group) is an important part of this course. Please
come well-prepared for class and ready to engage in meaningful discussion
about literature and teaching. We will be discussion controversial
topics; please be respectful of others' viewpoints. (25% of final
grade)
- Annotated
bibliography
(12 books; 150-200 words for each book, posted to the WebCT site.
You must make at least one posting each week) (24% of final grade)
- One
book talk (5% of final grade)
- Reading
autobiography (4-6
pages) (15% of final grade)
- Final
teaching project and synthesis (see assignment sheet on Handouts
page) (12-15 pages) and poster presentation with handout (31% of final
grade)