RDG 667, MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE IN THE CLASSROOM

Fall Semester 2008

Catherine Kurkjian, Ed.D

Dr. Kurkjian's Homepage

Thursday:    4:00-6:50

Office: HB 242 (Dept. of Reading and Language Arts), 832-2179

EMAIL: kurkjianc@ccsu.edu

Communication Tools at: http://pipeline.ccsu.edu/cp/home/loginf 

Office Hours: Copernicus 22414

Tuesdays: 3:00-3:50 & 9:30-10:00 PM

Wednesdays: from 3PM-6PM,

Thursdays: 6:50-8:00 PM:

(Please make an appointment whenever possible especially for the 9:30 to 10:00 PM slots since this time was scheduled to accommodate students in my 6:50 classes)

In Support of Students with Disabilities
Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss your specific needs.  I will need a copy of the accommodation letter from Student Disability Services in order to arrange your class accommodations.  Contact Student Disability Services, Room 241, Copernicus Hall, if you are not already registered with them.  Student Disability Services maintains the confidential documentation of your disability and assists you in coordinating reasonable accommodations with your faculty.

Course Description:Multicultural Literature in the Classroom Prereq.: RDG 588 and admission to 6th year program in reading and language arts, or Ed.D. program. A variety of teaching methods will be studied and applied to multicultural and multiethnic books for children in the elementary and middle grades. The implementation of various teaching methodologies as part of  language learning and teaching philosophy will be explored

Course Objectives:

1.  Select and evaluate various types of children's books applying criteria based on literary and artistic guidelines, with specific attention focusing on multicultural considerations. (3.3)(2.3)(4.2)

2. Demonstrate an understanding and respect for cultural, linguistic, and ethnic diversity in the teaching process.(1.3)(4.2)

3. Teach classic and contemporary children's and young adults' literature, and easy-reading fiction and nonfiction for adults, at appropriate levels; recognizing that literacy can be a means for transmitting moral and cultural values.(2.3)(4.2)

4. Identify and reflect on issues and current topics relevant to multicultural children's literature. (1.3)

5. Develop a variety of methods in order to differentiate instruction and bring children and children's literature together including the use instructional and information technologies to support literacy learning. (2.1,2.2,4.2)

6. Implement effective strategies that recognize parents as partners in the literacy development of their children, and demonstrate an understanding of the importance of literacy for personal and social growth; (4.1)(4.4)

7. Pursue knowledge of literacy by reading professional journals and publications; and participating in conferences and other professional activities. (5.2)

Texts (optional):

Breaking Boundaries With Global Literature; Celebrating Diversity in K–12 Classrooms by Nancy L. Hadaway and Marian J. McKenna, editors Publisher: Intl Reading Assn (August 2, 2007) ISBN-10: 0872076164 orISBN-13: 978-0872076167

Required Tradebooks:

 The Arrival by Shaun Tan (Hardcover - Oct 1, 2007) Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books (October 1, 2007) ISBN-10: 0439895294 or ISBN-13: 978-0439895293

 Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson ·  Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (March 1, 2007)

·  ISBN-10: 0399239898 or  ISBN-13: 978-0399239892

 The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian  by Alexie, Sherman.   Art by Ellen Forney. Boston: Little, Brown Young Readers, 2007

·  ISBN-10: 0316013684 or ISBN-13: 978-0316013680

 The Tequila Worm by Viola Canales Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books (March 13, 2007) ·  ISBN-10: 0375840893 or ISBN-13: 978-0375840890

 Revolution is not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine, New York: Henry Holt, 2007. ·  ISBN-10: 0805082077 or ·  ISBN-13: 978-0805082074

 Tasting the Sky by Barakat, Ibtisam. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2007. (Palestinian childhood) ISBN-10: 0374357331 or ISBN-13: 978-0374357337

Assigned Websites: (Posted on Course Outline)

Other Requirements:

It is a university requirement that everyone obtain an ID card. You can obtain one at the Card Office in the Student Center Rm. 106, M-Th from 9AM- 7 PM.  This is a simple 5-minute process in which you have your picture taken. Once you have your student ID, it is simply a matter o logging on to the pipeline at: http://pipeline.ccsu.edu/cp/home/loginf  at that page link  to https://accounts.ccsu.edu/wacctmgt  Once at this page scroll down and enter your name, 8 digit card # , last 4 digits of your SSN and birth date to establish your account. Once your account is established you will be able to log in at the pipeline page and make use of the WebCT communication tools available to us- from school and/or from other sites.

Your account will allow you to save your work on the CCSU network. For more information visit the Information Technology Services Website:

http://www.ccsu.edu/its/academic/MWLab.htm