ED 630S - Reading and Adolescent Literature

A graduate course at the University of New Haven providing knowledge of young adults' publications and introducing students to the wealth of literature available for young readers and its potential for enhancing classroom instruction.

Course Description

This course provides knowledge of young adults' publications; introduces students to the wealth of literature available for young readers and its potential for enhancing classroom instruction. Selection of interesting and well-written materials is based on knowledge of human development to motivate, expand, and diversify instruction.

Learning Objectives

1. Become familiar with a wide variety of adolescent literature and related instructional resources.
2. Learn the characteristics of various genres.
3. Recognize and select well-written, well-illustrated, and developmentally appropriate literature for adolescents.
4. Identify appropriate sources for adolescent literature.
5. Explore classroom applications for different types of literature.
6. Understand the value and diversity of student abilities, cultural backgrounds, and language as critical components in planning for instruction.
7. Understand the importance of helping adolescents become strategic readers, writers, and learners.

Required Readings

• Beers, K. (2003). When Kids Can't Read: What Teachers Can Do. Heinemann.
• Burke, J. (2000). Reading Reminders. Heinemann.
• Philbrick, R. (1993). Freak the Mighty. Scholastic.

Assignments

1. Attendance (5%) — On-time attendance required for all sessions.
2. Unit Outline — Group Project and Presentation (20%) — Collaborative unit development and presentation.
3. Lesson Plan: Freak the Mighty, grades 6–8 (10%) — Pre-reading strategy lesson plan.
4. Lesson Plan: Adolescent Literature Multicultural Novel, grades 9–10 (10%) — During-reading strategy lesson plan.
5. Lesson Plan: Free Choice Young Adult Novel, grades 11–12 (10%) — After-reading strategy lesson plan. One of the three lesson plans requires a demonstration lesson (worth 15%); students may rewrite plans earning below B+, with rewrites earning a maximum of B+.
6. Outline of a Young Adult and Classical Pairing (20%) — Analysis connecting YA literature to a classical text.
7. Annotated Book List (10%) — Curated list with annotations.
8. Book Talk (5%) — Informal presentation on a chosen book.
9. Author Presentation (5%) — Research and presentation on a young adult author.

Grading

Connections

• Media Literacy
• New Literacies
• Digital Literacy Framework