BLOG #4 International & Multicultural Literature


What is International Literature?

International Literature – Books written and published in that country’s language,
then translated into the English language.

How is it different from Multicultural Literature?

I think the difference between International, and Multicultural is, International Literature has more of an authenticity to its work. The reason is, the literature is written in that country, and many of that country’s values, and culture is displayed in its text. For example, the characters, settings, plots, symbolism, and dialect will reflect that country’s beliefs. A good example is like the one Dr. Harris gave in class of the gingerbread man. We here in America have our vision of the how a gingerbread should look, but if we read a book from another country their version of it can be totally different.

Why is it important to use in the classroom?
I think it is very important to use both of these types of literature in classroom because:
* Teacher can expose students to different types of cultures around the world.
* Students can travel to another country by reading this type of literature.
* Teacher is displaying respect and acknowledgement for other countries around the world.



Classroom Activities:
International Literature:
* Compare and Contrast that country’s characters to American ones.
* Compare and Contrast symbols used in the literature.
* Draw maps: listing resources, shelter, and location of the country you are reading about.

Multicultural Literature:
* Bring in food to celebrate different cultures found in the classroom
* Art project: Displaying the student’s individual cultural beliefs.

Blog #3 Evaluating Books

Describe how to effectively evaluate books for children. Is this value based?

I think to effectively evaluate books for children a teacher must keep these points in mind:
Is the book going to be interesting for the student? Its plot, climax, setting etc…..
Is the book challenging? Thus, is the book going to help the student grow?
Does the book make sense? Thus, is it well written?
Does the book contain graphic/violent content in it?
Does the book use profanity?
Does the book present any type of bias?
I also think it’s very important that history continues to part of children’s literature.

I do believe that values play a part in evaluating books for children, because I think most people go along with what is currently accepted in society. I think as a teacher if you decide to expose your students to books that might be viewed differently by a parent, thus offend their beliefs. I personally would them aware of it beforehand.

2. Why do character/setting analyses on children’s books? Purpose? What did it accomplish?

I think it is important to analyze children literature, because by doing so we can share the best literature with our students. It's also important for students to analyze their books, because by doing so they will have to think deeper into the book and, they will also be accountable for reading the material. This type of process can also help in narrowing the down the type of books the student likes or dislikes.

Blog #2 Chapter 2 Summary

Chapter 2 focuses on the development of children’s literature through out different times in history. The chapter also notes the standards used in evaluating young adult literature, the history of censorship, and the role children, and the family has in children’s literature. Oral tradition and early printed books are noted as being the earliest type of children’s literature, though they were not particularly geared for children. The oral traditions of families, and tribes were told through out the world, and develop what is known as folktales. Early printed books are traced back to the 1400’s, and were primarily used by children that attended monastery schools. A few other influences that brought forth the development children’s literature I found interesting include: the Puritan influence, John Locke’s influence on views of childhood, and Rousseau’s philosophy of natural development. Other information in the chapter that I found important is the criteria used to evaluate young adult literature, and that I agree with include: Does the literature motivate and inspire students?; Do the characters overcome problems in ways that help young readers gain insights on how to handle different problems. Finally, the child, and the family aspect that was brought into children literature around 1856-1903 is the influence that I find to be the most important, because now children were being taught of as valued individuals that had their own rights.

Personal connections: I personally can understand the development of folktales; I mean I remember as a child hearing adults talking about stories that were told to them as kids. I also enjoyed reading folktales when I was growing up, and still read them to my children.

Classroom application: I think in a classroom children should be exposed to different kind of genres along with the history that brought forth the genre. I also think having literature that relates to today’s society is important; because I think children can relate, and have a better understanding of what is currently happening around them.