LIBR 260-10
Resources for Children, Ages 0-6
Fall 2005

Ruth Cox Clark
E-mail
Office location: NA
Telephone: 340-777-5882
Office hours: As posted on Blackboard

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Textbooks | Course Requirements

You should be enrolled in the course by August 26th. You will be required to use a password access code which I will provide using MYSJSU Messaging system.

Course Description  

A survey of materials for children from birth to age six, emphasizing the evaluation and selection of print and non-print resources for use by and with children at home, in day care centers, and in libraries. An introduction to child development theory, selection criteria, selection tools, materials, and programming appropriate for this age group.

Course Objectives

At the completion of this course, students should be able to

• Critically examine representative materials and apply criteria for evaluation of such materials in relation to child development theories, multicultural concerns, and the informational and aesthetic needs of children.
• Demonstrate the ability to use these materials effectively with children in a variety of settings.
• Assist parents, caregivers, and teachers with questions about appropriate materials for young children.
• Prepare and present a program for this age audience.
• Exhibit knowledge of published resources about children’s literature, such as reference materials, selection tools, and Web sites.

This course supports the following SLIS objectives:

• One or more specialized aspects of information management, including the selection, organization, storage, retrieval, dissemination, and utilization of information resources.
• Evaluating and utilizing relevant research studies from a variety of disciplines.

Textbooks

No textbook is required for this class. Professional resources will be recommended and required for one or more of the assignments. Specifics on how to locate these items will be included in the assignment directions.

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Course Requirements

Blackboard
This is a Web-based course and all interaction will occur on the SLIS Blackboard site. You should be enrolled in the course by August 26th, the second day of the class, which runs from August 24th through December 8th. A message will be available on the MySJSU messaging system with directions for self-enrolling when the Blackboard site is opened. Course materials will be available through the Course Documents, Course Information, Assignments, and External Links sections of Blackboard. Class discussions will be conducted using Blackboard discussion board forums, with topics for each posted by the instructor.

Assignments Overview (Consult detailed assignment guidelines and due dates in Blackboard)
Children’s books for assignments may be borrowed from libraries or purchased.

• Assignment 1: Book Reviews Evaluation
  Choose a recently published (within last two years) preschool appropriate title and locate reviews in reputable review journals. Write a short paper discussing the book, your impression of the reviews, including a 250-word review based on your evaluation of the book.
• Assignment 2: Infant/Toddler Bibliography
  Compile an annotated bibliography of a minimum of 25 board and/or picture books you would recommend to a parent/grandparent for their child, ages birth through two.
• Assignment 3: Children’s Television Shows Critique
  Watch three different television shows intended for the preschool age audience. Using your knowledge of child development and children’s interests at this age, critique the quality of the shows in relation to child appeal and age appropriateness. Based on notes taken during viewing and research, share your critique and observations in a short paper.
• Assignment 4: Preschool Theme/Concept Bibliography
  Compile a thematic or concept based annotated bibliography of a minimum of 25 books you would recommend to a preschool teacher or librarian.
• Assignment 5: Notable Children’s Pamphlet
  Examine the Notable Children’s Books, Recordings, Videos, and Software lists from 2000-2005. Develop a visually appealing pamphlet of your top one or two favorites from each annual list that is appropriate for an intended audience within the ages of birth through six.
• Assignment 6: Toddler/Preschool Program
  Plan and present a story time program for a group of toddlers or preschoolers that includes trade books and an interactive activity.

Grading
Your assignments will be graded as follows:

Grading Scale
Grades are based on assignment and discussion postings point totals.

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is serious. All assignments submitted must be your own work. Sources must be properly cited in papers in the APA Reference List format. The San José State University regulations governing plagiarism will be enforced. Plagiarism in an assignment will result in a failing grade for the assignment.

Academic Integrity
Read the SJSU Academic Integrity Policy
http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.pdf

Reasonable Accommodation of Disabilities
Students who need accommodation due to a disability must register with SJSU's Disability Resource Center (DRC) during the first three weeks of the semester. The Center will work with the students to determine the disability, document it, and determine the services and accommodations necessary for student success. Then, the DRC will contact the faculty member to determine the types of consideration necessary.

Students attending the Fullerton campus should first contact the Disability Resource Center in San José since they are SJSU students. The DRC will then direct the students to supporting resources on the Fullerton campus.

The DRC Web site: http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/

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