Embedding Diverse Children's Literature Throughout a Teacher Preparation Program; alt title: Embedding Children’s Literature in Teacher Preparation

Date

2021

Department

Program

Citation of Original Publication

Tondreau, A. & Barnes, Z. (2021). Embedding Children’s Literature in Teacher Preparation. In Hartsfield (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Teaching Diverse Youth Literature to Pre-Service Professionals, (pp. 501-524). IGI Global. https://www.igi-global.com/book/handbook-research-teaching-diverse-youth/262923

Rights

Copyright © 2021, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited

Subjects

Abstract

This chapter explores the incorporation of diverse children’s literature into a teacher preparation program, both in and beyond a required Literature for Children course. With the aim of cultivating positive reading identities for pre-service teachers, the authors focus on the process for implementing changes to build a culture of reading, so that pre-service teachers identify as life-long readers, and specifically readers who understand the importance of diverse texts. Changes to curriculum in writing, social studies, and special education methods courses are described, as is the creation of a college-wide book club. The goal of embedding children’s literature in and across teacher preparation programs is for pre-service teachers to feel prepared to bring these texts into their own classrooms and to facilitate discussions on the topics that these texts raise with their students, administrative team, and parents. In order to do this, teacher educators need to provide ample opportunities for students to practice selecting, analyzing, and discussing diverse children’s literature.