LIBR 261
Resources for Children, Ages 6-12
Summer 2004

Darla Magana
E-mail

GREENSHEET

Course Description

An overview of literary and information materials for children from ages six to twelve . The emphasis will be on the evaluation and selection of materials for collections in school and public libraries. The course is designed to give students some familiarity with print and media materials currently available, with selection tools, with trends in education and with the use of the materials in library programs.

Course Objectives

At the completion of this course the student should be able to

• Demonstrate a familiarity with the varieties of materials available for children.
• Critically examine representative materials and apply criteria for evaluating such materials.
• Use selection aids appropriately
• Develop programs and/or lessons that promote appropriate library resources.

The course supports the following SLIS objectives:

• One or more specialized aspects of information management
• Evaluating and utilizing relevant research studies from a variety of disciplines.

Course Format

This is a web-based course. You will be able to enroll on the Blackboard site starting May 19th. Instruction will begin the week of June 1st. All of our interaction will take place on the SLIS Blackboard site and via personal email. Course materials will be available through the Blackboard site or through the online databases at Clark Library. Assignments for the course should be posted electronically.

Textbook: From Cover to Cover by Kathleen T. Horning. HarperCollins, 1997. ISBN 0-06-446167-X. It is available through Amazon.com and from several used book web sites.

Assignment 1: Literary Book Reviews. Due June 21.
Assignment 2: Lesson or Program. Due July 9.
Assignment 3: Collection Development. Due July 28.
Assignment 4: Reader's Advisory Notebook. Due August 10.

Grading:

• Assignment 1: (60 points)
• Assignment 2: (45 points)
• Assignment 3: (65 points)
• Assignment 4: (100 points)
• Weekly Discussion/Activity: (55 points)

Late assignments and postings will be lowered a grade.

Final Grading Rubric:

295-325=A
260-294=B
230-259=C
199-229=D
less than 198=F

If you need any special consideration due to a disability, you need to register with the SJSU Disability Resource Center and notify the instructor by the second week of classes.

All assignments submitted must be your own work. Sources must be properly cited in papers as specified in class. The San Jose State University regulations governing plagiarism will be enforced. Those regulations may be found at: http://info.sjsu.edu (Search keyword : Academic Dishonesty).

See assignments.

Weekly Discussion/Activity

Each week a discussion topic will be posted to the Discussion Board. Contributions to the online discussion will be assessed as a significant part of your grade. Students are expected to contribute thoughtful comments and feedback based on readings or experience. Please refer to the posted rubric for grading standards.

Guidelines for Weekly Discussion

• Respond to the comments of others as well as posting original comments.
• Be specific. Mention titles and examples to illustrate your opinions and general statements.
• Try to refrain from relating personal anecdotes, although professional experience with a book in a class or library setting can add important information to the discussion.

The final discussion and culminating activity will be a “chat session” on August 11 from 7:30-9:00 .

Office Hours

Online “chat” office hours will be from 7:30-9:00pm on Tuesday June 8, Wednesday June 23, Monday July 12, and Thursday July 22. Participation is optional.

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