OSIAS COLLEGES INC.

F. Tanedo St., San Nicolas, Tarlac City

Tel. No. 045-982-02-45

SUBJECT: Teaching English in Elementary Grades Through Literature

MODULE: 1
TOPIC: The Range of Children’s Literature
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the discussion, the students are expected to:
1. Define and discuss children’s literature
2. Recognize the general view of the classification of children’s literature
3. Discuss the similarities and differences between and among the general types
of children’s literature
LESSON PROPER
Read

What is Children’s Literature?

Literature is more than a piece of writing that clarifies or explains. It delights and
reveals (Anderson, 2006).
Children’s literature also called juvenile/youngster literature. It consists of the stories
(including in books) and poems which are enjoyed by or targeted primarily at children.
 Written works that express in simple form the universality of truth and clearness of
purpose– characteristic of great literature that would endure and find a place in
children’s regard.
 The body of written works and accompanying illustrations produced in order to
entertain or instruct young people. (Encyclopedia Britannica)
Children's literature' is a term generally used to cover all literature for children and
adolescents, including oral literature, such as fairy tales and nursery rhymes, graphic narratives and
young adult literature" (Bland, 2013)

Benefits of Children's Literature

 Cognitive Dimension
- Piaget's Concrete Operational Stage — children between ages 6-12 require
stimulation in order to understand a concept. Picture books, graphic novels and
nursery rhymes — interaction with the 5 senses.
- Constructivist theory— meaning is actively constructed by readers in relation to
the text by drawing on his / her previous knowledge (schemata). Dynamic
"meaning-making process."
- Reader-response theory — readers fill in the gaps within and between texts with
their own meaning to produce a diversity of responses. ' Gaps = tension between
image, layout & text. ' Develops critical thinking skills — prediction, inferences,
synthesis, guessing from context.
 - Krashen's Theory of Comprehensible Input — we acquire language
subconsciously through understanding messages via authentic texts, meaningful
tasks and contextual clues. ' Emphasis on meaning, not form.
 Affective Dimension
- Krashen's Theory of Affective Filter — the importance of low-anxiety
environment to absorb comprehensible input. / extensive reading / free Pleasure
reading reading / sustained silent reading (SSR) — freedom to read any materials
at your own pace
- Boost self-esteem, confidence and motivation to read. ' Satisfying ending— after." '
'they live happily ever Bibliotherapy — relationship with the story / characters can
heal and soothe the heart
 Socio-cultural Dimension '
- Postcolonial Theory - Acceptance of otherness - characters meet aliens, witches,
monsters, animals, ghosts, etc. Blurs the boundary of the self and other — "Us"
and "them" - challenges stereotypes. ' Awareness and acceptance of cultural
differences — InterCuIturaI Competence (ICC)
 Moral Dimension '
- Universal themes and values. ' Identity Formation - feelings of empathy and
identification with the characters and their moral dilemma — able to relate. Hero-
worship phenomenon.
History of Children’s Literature 
 Up until 19th century books written for children were entirely religious, instructional
or for the improvement of their morals and manners.
 What do you know about how children were viewed prior to the inception of child
development as a discipline? The views about children then influenced nature of
literature.
 In 1865 “Alice in Wonderland” was written and was the first book written for mere
enjoyment and that marked the beginning of children’s literature.
Comparison and Contrast
Fairy Tales Vs Folk Tales
Similarities Differences
Fairy Tales Folk Tales
1. magic elements 1. longer
1. shorter
2. helpful friends 2. for the common people
2. for the elite
3. happy ending 3. ordinary settings
3. beautiful settings
4. narratives 4. simple characters
4. grand characters

Parables and Fables

Similarities Differences
Parables Fables
1. religious 1. day-to-day
1. narratives
2. human characters 2. animal characters
2. short
3. message/lesson 3. message/lesson
3. moralistic
not explicit/ not clear Explicit/clear/exact
Informational Books

As the name suggests, informational books are those that allow young readers to
accumulate as much factual knowledge as they might be interested in. The selections include the
very basic informational books such as alphabet books, numeracy books, and concept books,
including those that introduce children to shapes and colors, and how-to-do-it books that teach them
how to make paper boats or how to assemble a toy or how to bake angel cake. The most common are
the content area books, i. e., books that are read for the different subject areas: history, mathematics,
science, social studies, health, etc. Informational books would also include first dictionaries,
encyclopedias, and atlases.

Poetry

Poetry is not exactly the type of literature that most people get readily excited about. That
is sad because, as children, our first acquaintance with children’s literature was generally made
through the little rhyming songs and choral recitations. Who has not sung “Li+le Sally Water,”
“The Itsy-Bitsy Spider,” or Leron-Leron Sinta”? Those were our first poems!

Purposes of Children's Literature

Children's literature is important because it provides students with opportunities
to respond to literature; it gives students appreciation about their own cultural
heritage as well as those of others; it helps students develop emotional intelligence
and creativity; it nurtures growth and development of the student's ...

Differences of Children’s Book Now and Then

 More experimentations with genres- from teaching values to fantasy, fiction, etc
 Blurring age boundaries- picture books for everyone.
 Changing topics, eg., technology, terrorism
 Technology & commercialization, books on audio and videotapes.: eg. Harry Potter.
 Increasing diversity melting pot vs salad bowl. International literature.
 Building on the past, looking into the future.

“Read, read, read. Read everything”- William Faulkner

Reflect
What have you learned about the lesson?

Response

Accomplish the activity sheet attached herewith and send it to me via OCI Drop-box. For
those who have internet or gadgets send it through your MOODLE ACCOUNT
 OSIAS COLLEGES INC.
F. Tanedo St. San Nicolas, Tarlac City
Tel. No. 045-982-02-45

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

Module 1

Name: Glaiza M. Orpiano________ Date:08/25/21

Degree/Program: BEED- 3rd year__ Faculty: __________________

1. Based from the discussion, what is your own concept about children’s literature?
(10 pts)
-Literature is all about written works such printed materials and books. For me,
Children's literature is produced knowledge and information to the young adults because of that
they will developed their higher order thinking skills and their deeper understanding about the
topic or lessons.

2. What are the purposes of children’s literature? (5 pts)

- For me, the purposes of children's literature are to developed their own creativity and
appreciate their own cultures. It will also help’s students to discover their own ability to
enhances development of language skills and other critical thinking skills.