PORTFOLIO CONTENTS

Please number each entry in the portfolio using the numbers listed below and place the entries in order so that I will be certain to assess each one correctly. I will be looking for quality of content with specific support from the texts, handouts, and class notes. Copying directly from the texts and handouts without using a signal phrase and quotation marks is plagiarism, and is unacceptable. You should summarize and combine information from all of your various materials to form a quality response that is adequately supported and composed of your own words. Do not simply copy information from the books or handouts; paraphrase your information into your own words and give credit to a source, with signal phrases and parenthetical references when you use information from that source. If you don’t compose the portfolio entry in your own words you will receive a “0” on your entry. I will also be aware of severe grammatical errors, so please revise on a sentence level as well. Each entry must be a minimum of 1 and ½ pages, typed and double-spaced with a one inch margin all around (including the top margin), and must be contained in a folder. I do not accept late portfolio entries, and any entry not submitted will count as a “0.” I will drop the lowest entry (excluding number 11); see my policy regarding revision of portfolio entries. April 25 is the cut off date to have your revisions reviewed; don’t wait until the last minute to complete your revisions, as I can only accommodate a certain number of students during office hours.

1. Define cognitive development and describe the major stages, along with specific examples of appropriate books for the various stages. Be sure you link your book examples specifically to what is happening in the different stages in terms of why certain books might be more appropriate than others (Course Packet articles and charts).

2. Several articles in your Course Packet, Wired for Thought, Our Window to the Future, Baby Talk, and Fertile Minds, describe the critical development that occurs between the point of conception and before the age of two years old. Draw from all of these articles, as well as the most recent Newsweek article, and describe cognitive development in the womb, along with cognitive development during those first two critical years of life.

3. Write about conflict and theme in Charlotte’s Web; define the central conflict and identify the protagonist and antagonist. Beware of oversimplifying the many themes of Charlotte’s Web; choose at least three primary themes to discuss, and indicate whether they are explicit or implicit. Be sure to support your assertions, by drawing from the literature for support. In another paragraph, provide examples of at least five different types of figurative language in the novel and identify them with the appropriate name.

4. Discuss character development in Harry Potter; characterize by choosing one character and at least three adjectives that define your chosen character. Illustrate with examples from the book how that character is developed through his/her language, action, and descriptions of the character either by the narrator or other characters. In another paragraph discuss the moral developmental level of your chosen character, referencing the six stages, as defined by Kohlberg (Course Packet, pps. 57-64).

5. Define “Censorship” and distinguish your definition from a book “challenge.” Discuss some of the common “objections” to books and why censorship is contrary to our First Amendment rights. What are some ways that educators can inform children and young people of their rights? (Draw from your assigned Essentials reading and your Course Packet).

6. Define a picture book and write several paragraphs discussing the different types of picture books. Name each type and tell what distinguishes it from others. Give examples of specific books that fit in each category as you discuss them (Essentials).

7. Through several paragraphs, identify and define the visual elements in a picture book illustration and identify and define seven artistic styles. Write one summary paragraph about what you learned about your chosen illustrator in your research for the illustrator’s projects (Essentials).

8. Write a paragraph on each: folktale (be sure to discuss the different types of folktales), myth, epic, legend and fable, defining the form and content of each type of traditional literature. Give examples of specific books that fit each category (Course packet and Essentials text).

9. Discuss what one should expect in a book which is multicultural or international (be sure to distinguish between the two), and discuss the different types of multicultural books, i.e.: discuss the five micro cultures and distinguish the differences between social conscience, culturally conscience and melting pot books and provide specific examples of books that fit these categories (Essentials).

10. Write several paragraphs where you define biography, defining the different types, and distinguish it from the genre of nonfiction information books. Discuss the criteria for selection of nonfiction.

11. During the semester, we’ve read trade books representative of different genres (fantasy, realistic fiction, biography, mystery, historical fiction, etc). Choose one of the trade books that you’ve read for this class, and discuss the book’s use of the genre’s conventions. Evaluate how the book fulfills the criteria for evaluating that genre as explained in our Essentials and Critical Handbook texts. You must write this portfolio entry and submit it; it is not one you can “drop.” If you do not write this entry then I will still drop the lowest entry in addition to this one, and it will adversely affect your grade.