Mrs. Milton's Literacy Corner
Wichita State Universtiy
Why is children's literature so important?
By reading children's literature, or having it read to them, children expand their imagination, insights, perspectives, and cultural understanding. Your student will also increase their vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, knowledge of story patterns, and writing through reading children's literature. It is can be very enjoyable for your student and even for you! Make it a fun bonding tool and share in your students' love for literature!
Fantasy
Literature in which the events, settings, or characters are outside the realm of possibility.
Poetry
An artistic expression of ideas and emotions through a rhythmical composition of imaginative and beautiful words.
Biography
Tells the story of an actual person's life. Often the person is notable for his or her accomplishments.
How You Can Help Your Student Understand Literature
~Read a variety of text's and genre's with your student
~ Oral storytelling
~ Read aloud to your students
~Think aloud with your students about what is being read as you read with them
~Ask questions about the plot, setting, characters, and events
~ Have literacy conversations with your student about books you read together
~Involve the entire family with any of the above activities. The more people involved the more fun it can be for your student!
~ Oral storytelling
~ Read aloud to your students
~Think aloud with your students about what is being read as you read with them
~Ask questions about the plot, setting, characters, and events
~ Have literacy conversations with your student about books you read together
~Involve the entire family with any of the above activities. The more people involved the more fun it can be for your student!
Historical Fiction
A story set in a historical time period that blends authentic historical settings and facts with imaginary characters and plot.
Scientific Fiction
A type of imaginative literature in which the author convinces the reader something unusual could happen because it is grounded in scientific principles.
Non-Fiction
Literature that emphasizes documented facts that informs and entertains young readers. Can be written about the physical, biological, social world.
Important Things to Know about Children's Literature
~ Your student will respond best to literature that is engaging and interesting to them
~ If your student can be actively engaged they will be able to make meaningful connections with the literature. A type of "lived through experience".
~You can help your student to engage with literature by providing them access to books within their experience and developmental level.
~Allowing your student to select their own books and providing them with time for reading will encourage students to become engaged with literature.
~Engaging in casual, non-threatening conversations about the books your students are reading will also encourage them to be more engaged with the literature they are reading
~ If your student can be actively engaged they will be able to make meaningful connections with the literature. A type of "lived through experience".
~You can help your student to engage with literature by providing them access to books within their experience and developmental level.
~Allowing your student to select their own books and providing them with time for reading will encourage students to become engaged with literature.
~Engaging in casual, non-threatening conversations about the books your students are reading will also encourage them to be more engaged with the literature they are reading
Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Stories that could happen to people or animals. The characters are fictional but their actions and feelings are similar to those of people we could know.
Traditional Children's Literature
Ancient stories or poems of ancient cultures. These books are often connected to different groups or cultures. It has been used as a way of passing down traditional wisdom and knowledge.
Picture Books
Not a genre but a popular format in which the pictures are essential to complete understanding and enjoyment of the story.