EDU 298 Study Guide - Final Guide: Literal And Figurative Language, Assonance, Creativity
20 Jun 2018
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CHILDREN’S LITERATURE FINAL STUDY
GUIDE
Chapter 6: Poetry
Definition of poetry
oConcentrated expression of ideas and emotions through precise and imaginative
words
Types of poetry books
oNursery Rhymes richly illustrated collections of traditional verse
oNursery songs richly illustrated collections of traditional & modern verses with
musical notation
oTheme range of poems around specific purpose
oAnthologies range of poetry books (can be themed)
Type of Poetry
oLyrical express personal feelings and emotions, should make you feel
something
oHumorous funny, silly problems
oFree Verse no pattern or rhyme or rhythm (sometimes words within a line
rhyme)
oNarrative tells story with characters, problems, solutions, two types:
Epic: supernatural long, Ballad: set to music
oDramatic written in play from, building plot
oLimerick funny 1 stanza
How to evaluate poetry selections
oLevel of fresh, authentic, imaginative language & images to express ideas and
emotions
oIf poem conveys ideas/emotions in ways that encourage kids to perceive
ordinary things in a new way
oIf poem presents world through child’s perspective & life experiences (& avoids
preaching and looking back at childhood with nostalgia – stay in child’s)
oQuality of poems selected around theme – do they give range of perspectives?
oRelationship of illustrations to mood & content
Methods for classroom sharing
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oNursey rhymes: good intro to literature
oCan make cultural/global connections
oProvide selection of rhyming, narrative poems with distinct rhythms about funny
events and familiar experiences (include themed collections as well)
oFind notable poet monthly
oRead it aloud (on a daily basis) with expression – not too many in one sitting
Do not overanalyze (could begin every day with a poem)
oAsk children to think about sensory imagery
oChoral poetry: saying poem aloud as a group
What children can learn from poetry
oWord choice/vocabulary & types of language
oRhymes
oTo appreciate language
oCreative thinking & freedom
oImportance of concise messages quality over quantity
oSimplicity
oStructure
oVarying art & messages
oElements: meaning, rhythm (beat), sound patterns (exp: rhyme, assonance,
alliteration, etc.), figurative language (exp. Simile, metaphor, personification,
hyperbole), sense imagery (way poet plays with 5 senses in descriptive &
narrative language)
Misc
oVerse: language form stories are told in rhyme with distinct beat
oJingle: catchy repetition of sounds, light content
Chapter 7: Traditional Literature
Definition and description of traditional literature
oBody of ancient stories & poem which grew out of oral storytelling (passed
down)
oMany have no known author so attributed to entire groups/cultures
What traditional literature includes
oOften told as cultural/spiritual truths that may contain factual elements (not
based on real events)
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oMost provide window into human nature & cultural beliefs
oSimple themes (exp. Good overcomes evil)
Criteria for evaluation
oShort simple and direct plot
oConcentrated and fast paced action
oCharacters obviously good or bad
oStandard literary style (exp: once upon a time) & repeated refrains (exp: mirror
mirror on the wall)
oLimited themes (good vs evil, powerless overcome powerful, explanations for
ways of the world)
oAlmost always have happy ending
oShould reflect narrative storytelling style
oPreserves sound and feel of culture/country of origin (as do pictures)
Different types of traditional literature
oMyths stories that recount & explain origins of world & phenomena of nature
Aka creation stories (characters: usually gods & setting: high above E)
Mirror human nature
oEpics long stories of human adventure & heroism recounted in many episodes
(sometimes verse)
Grounded in mythology, human & divine characters
Hero: always human (or superhuman)
oLegends stories based on real (or supposedly real) people & their great deeds
Mix of realism & fantasy (Robin Hood, King Arthur, Camelot)
oFolktales stories that grew from lives/imaginations of people (folk), vary in
content, most don’t have magic (like fairytales do)
Cumulative: uses repetition, accumulation, rhythm to make entertaining
story from bare plot (exp. The Gingerbread Man)
Humorous: centered around one’s stupid & funny mistakes
Beast: talking animals, overstated action w/ few human characters (exp.
Goldilocks)
Magic: fairytales, elements of magic
Pourquoi: explain phenomena of nature
Tall tales: highly exaggerated accounts of exploits of people (real and
fake)
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Definition of poetry: concentrated expression of ideas and emotions through precise and imaginative words. Epic: supernatural long, ballad: set to music: dramatic written in play from, building plot, limerick funny 1 stanza. Do not overanalyze (could begin every day with a poem: ask children to think about sensory imagery, choral poetry: saying poem aloud as a group. Simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole), sense imagery (way poet plays with 5 senses in descriptive & narrative language) Misc: verse: language form stories are told in rhyme with distinct beat, jingle: catchy repetition of sounds, light content. Definition and description of traditional literature: body of ancient stories & poem which grew out of oral storytelling (passed down, many have no known author so attributed to entire groups/cultures. What traditional literature includes: often told as cultural/spiritual truths that may contain factual elements (not based on real events, most provide window into human nature & cultural beliefs, simple themes (exp.
