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Reading Globally, K–8
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Reading Globally, K–8
Connecting Students to the World Through Literature



168 pages | Corwin
In Reading Globally, K-8, the authors make the case for why it is necessary to be globally literate and multiculturally aware in today's shrinking world, and they provide the tools teachers need to incorporate appropriate reading selections into primary and secondary school classrooms. By using books from or about other countries, teachers empower students to view the world in a more positive manner, enriching and broadening their students' lives, and ultimately preparing them for life in a global economy and culture.

This reader-friendly resource guides teachers and reading programme coordinators in selecting quality books for their classrooms, incorporating global literature into different content areas, and facilitating the discussions that follow. Practical guidance is provided on how to:

- Integrate the reading of global texts across the curriculum, with specific application to language arts, social studies, science, maths, and the arts

- Locate and evaluate the authenticity and literary merit of potential books, avoiding those that depict stereotypes

- Get started!-with an annotated list of children's books, samples of student work, and classroom vignettes from teachers.

 
List of Figures
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Introduction
Organization of Book

 
 
1. The Need for Global Literature
The Importance of Global Literature in Children’s Lives

 
The Contemporary Context

 
History and Availability of Global Children's Literature

 
Global Literature Defined

 
Goals for Global Literature

 
Conclusion

 
 
Part I: Infusing Global Literature Throughout the Curriculum
 
2. Literary Theme Studies and an Integrated Curriculum
A Literary Framework

 
Incorporating the Framework Across the Curriculum

 
Theme Studies

 
Integrating the Curriculum

 
Conclusion

 
 
3. Integrated Language Arts
IRA/NCTE Standards for the English Language Arts

 
Conclusion

 
 
4. Social Studies
Topic 1: "Wake Up World" (Primary Grades)

 
Topic 2: World War II and the Holocaust (Upper Elementary/Middle School)

 
Curriculum Strand: Individual Development and Identity (Upper Elementary/Middle School)

 
Curriculum Strand: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions (Primary Grades)

 
Biographies and Memoirs (Upper Elementary/Middle School)

 
Seeking Peace and Justice (All Grades)

 
Conclusion

 
 
5. Science and Mathematics
Children’s Literature and STEM Education

 
Animals: Other Creatures That Share Our Earth

 
Life Cycles and Other Patterns

 
Habitats around the World

 
Environmental Change and the Need for Conservation

 
World Health Awareness

 
Technology: The Benefits, Risks, Costs, and Ethical Issues

 
How Things Are Made and How They Work

 
Scientific and Mathematical Contributions from Diverse Cultures

 
Earning, Saving, and Investing Money

 
Conclusion

 
 
6. The Arts
Music and Dance

 
Art and Artists

 
Drama

 
Conclusion

 
 
Part II: Issues Teachers Face
 
7. How Should I Evaluate Global Books?
How Can I Know If These Books Are Authentic?

 
What Else Do I Need to Know to Make Good Book Selections?

 
Conclusion

 
 
8. Frequently Asked Questions about Global Children’s Literature
How can I fund the purchase of global children’s literature for my classroom and school library?

 
How should we decide what books to buy?

 
How can I work with colleagues to plan for using global children’s literature across the grades?

 
What’s the best way to handle sensitive topics like war, prejudice, human injustices, and cultural taboos like bodily functions or practices?

 
How should I respond if parents object to a book?

 
How can I help my students relate to places, people, times, and events they have never seen, heard, or experienced?

 
How can I help parents understand the importance of global literature?

 
How do I fit global literature into our district-mandated curricula that occupy much of the day?

 
How does global literature contribute to meeting state and national standards?

 
Will using global literature raise test scores?

 
 
9. What’s Next? Going Global and Bringing It Home
Getting Started

 
Final Thoughts

 
 
References
 
Index
 
The CD
 
Further Recommended Reading for Teadhers
 
Resources for Locating and Learning More about Global Children’s Literature
 
An Annotated List of 341 Children’s Books Cited in the Book

"The authors illustrate how to teach to the standards using literature. More importantly, they explain why it is essential to do so if we are to prepare our children for life in a 21st century global society."

Carol Gallegos, Literacy Coach
Hanford Elementary, CA

"This comprehensive volume helps educators at many levels become more skilled at providing high quality, meaningful, diverse literature experiences for students. The authors skillfully weave global text titles, authors, web sites, and strategy instruction throughout the book."

Victoria Seeger, Instructional Coach
Pleasant Hill Elementary School, Topeka, KS

"Using both picture books and chapter books, the authors show specific ways in which literature can be used across the curriculum to help students see themselves as part of a global community."

Nelda Brangwin
Library Media Connection, May/June 2011, Vol 29, #6

Barbara A. Lehman

Barbara A. Lehman is Professor of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University, where she teaches graduate courses in children's literature and literacy at the Mansfield Campus. Her scholarly interests focus on multicultural and global children’s literature and child-centered literary criticism. She co-edited Teaching with Children's Books: Paths to Literature-Based Instruction (National Council of Teachers of English [NCTE], 1995) and co-authored with Evelyn Freeman Global Perspectives in Children's Literature (Allyn & Bacon, 2001). Her third title, Children’s Literature and Learning: Literary Study Across the Curriculum, was... More About Author

Evelyn B. Freeman

Dr. Evelyn B. Freeman is Dean and Director of The Ohio State University-Mansfield. She also serves as Executive Dean for Ohio State’s regional campuses. Dr. Freeman is professor in the School of Teaching and Learning and teaches courses in children’s literature and language arts. Her research interests focus on multicultural and global children’s literature, and nonfiction literature for children. She has served as co-editor of the Journal of Children’s Literature, Bookbird: A Journal of International Children’s Literature, and the Children’s Books column of The Reading Teacher. She has co-authored three books: Using Nonfiction Trade Books... More About Author

Patricia L. Scharer

Patricia L. Scharer is a Professor of Education at The Ohio State University. Her research interests include early literacy development, phonics and word study, and the role of children's literature to foster both literary development and literacy achievement. Her research has been published in Reading Research Quarterly, Research in the Teaching of English, Educational Leadership, Language Arts, The Reading Teacher, Reading Research and Instruction and the yearbooks of the National Reading Conference and the College Reading Association. She has served as co-editor of the Journal of Children’s Literature, Bookbird: A Journal of... More About Author

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ISBN: 9781412973922
$34.95