LGA 3101: CHILDREN’S LITERATUREMUHAMAD AIMAN BIN NORDIN (TESL 3)

REFLECTION

Literature entertains listeners and readers, at the same time giving them

access to the accumulated experience and wisdom of the ages, (Stoodt et al.. 1996).

As such, children’s literature is essential for education in that it contributes to young

learners/readers’ growing experiences-extending and enriching their knowledge

while stimulating reflection.

Reading and Responding to Children's Literature is a great course, and it has

helped me explore various types of literature. Without this course my knowledge of

the variety of books and uses for these books would be very limited. I never knew

the impact that children's literature has on writing. In my reading and language arts

methods I have learned that books can be used to get students writing, and can help

prompt a writing piece. The more students read the better they become at writing.

Reading various types of books exposes students to the various types of writing. In

reading and responding to children's literature we explored the various genres. I had

never thought that children's literature could be incorporated into the other subjects

in school, but after the genre study I cannot see myself limiting literature to a single

subject. For example, using children's literature, whether in book form or on an

interactive computer game can help make a Children Literature’s lesson more

interesting. It helps the students get involved with the material. I also never thought

that literature was not just in a book, but can be found on the web. Until this course I

had not thought much about incorporating technology as a media for students to

read and interact with. This course has helped me explore the various opportunities

that children's literature offers.

I think that one of the discussions that changed my view of children's literature

was the one where we defined what a child was. In this discussion the class defined

children as carefree, innocent, energetic, sponges, curious, fun, sweet, and the list

goes on. After creating this list we realized that we had put children in a box. But in

actuality children are like adults. There are various types of kids who have different

interests. While some children might like fairy tales others might like thrilling

mysteries. As a teacher we have to know and understand the various types of books

out there to help spark each individual student's interest in reading. This class helped

LGA 3101: CHILDREN’S LITERATUREMUHAMAD AIMAN BIN NORDIN (TESL 3)

me explore various types of books, and understand the importance of continuing to

explore children's literature in the future.

It is interesting to be reflecting on my presentation on children's literature. This

presentation has made me better understand the need for cultural relevancy in

literature for children. While researching for my presentation, I was struck by how

little was written on our topic and how few children's literature books there are and

even fewer young adult fiction books there are.

I feel as though if it is impossible to understand our short story and nursery

rhymes without thinking of the others that the other groups presented on. We found it

difficult to find new things to say in our presentation since so much of our content

and activity had been touched on by other groups. Through my presentation, I

learned that this was certainly not the case. If people cannot relate to the literature

they are reading, they are less likely to enjoy it and therefore will not value it as

much.

Another thing I found interesting in this Children’s Literature subject was the

discussion about controversial books. I thought the class discussion about

controversial books was particularly interesting because there were a variety of

opinions about which books that was suitable could be read and teach in the

classroom. I think that some books were understandably controversial because their

content did not have an important meaning or a use in the classroom. While other

books, although considered controversial, contain content that help spark important

class discussions. Overall I think this is a wonderful subject in this semester, and it

has helped expand my knowledge of children's literature.

LGA 3101: CHILDREN’S LITERATUREMUHAMAD AIMAN BIN NORDIN (TESL 3)

INSTITUT PENDIDIKAN GURU,

KAMPUS TUANKU BAINUN,

BUKIT MERTAJAM, PULAU PINANG.

KURSUS PERSEDIAAN PROGRAM IJAZAH SARJANA MUDA PERGURUAN

(TESL) PENDIDIKAN RENDAH

CHILDREN’S LITERATURE

(LGA 3101)

NAME : MUHAMAD AIMAN BIN NORDIN

I/C NO : 921106-01-6403

GROUP : 2 PISMP TESL 3

PROGRAMME : 2 PISMP (TESL) PENDIDIKAN RENDAH

LECTURER’S NAME : MDM LEE LAY SEE

DATE OF SUBMISSION : 2nd SEPTEMBER 2012