Children's Literature for Teachers and Librarians

Enhance your teaching skills using contemporary children's literature to connect with content-area curriculum.
In this Section

Our Children's Literature in the Reading Program online course will enhance your teaching skills using contemporary literature with implementation ideas for the K-5 curriculum, reading motivation, and diverse learning communities.

Register now to reserve a spot.
There is no registration fee to reserve a class.

Online Course
Three semester hours of graduate credit

Instructor:  Teri Massie

Fall: September 9 - November 15, 2024
Tuition: $476 per semester hour graduate credit ($1,428 for a three-credit course)
Fall Tuition Due: TBA

Spring: January 16 - March 29, 2024
Tuition: $476 per semester hour graduate credit ($1,428 for a three-credit course)
Spring Tuition Due: February 28, 2024

Summer: June 9 - August 10, 2024
Tuition: $476 per semester hour graduate credit ($1,428 for a three-credit course)
Spring Tuition Due: July 17, 2024

If you need a copy of the syllabus for your employer to approve enrollment in the class, email: Online Professional Development.

Our online course allows you to complete your weekly assignments as they best fit your schedule. All discussion postings and projects are submitted online.

We invite you to enroll in our Children's Literature course to meet your professional development goals if you need a license renewal, graduate credits, or just a refresher course.

Our RDGED 703 Children's Literature in the Reading Program course includes:

  • suggestions for a diverse array of contemporary literature and challenging informational texts in a range of subjects.
  • The role of children’s literature in children's development to build knowledge for developing a curriculum that promotes a progressive development of reading comprehension.
  • The inclusion of classic myths and stories from around the world.
  • Reading as a means of developing vocabulary and conventions of language.
  • An opportunity to model the integration of technology with literature-related activities.
  • Criteria for evaluation and selection of materials.
  • Determination of the reading interests, needs, and abilities of children.
  • Reading, listening, and viewing guidance in the classroom, school, and public libraries.
  • Recent developments in contemporary literature for children.

We invite you to enroll in our course to meet your professional development goals if you need license renewal, graduate credits, transfer credits to another university or reading certification program, or a refresher course.

Our students include:

  • Teachers
  • Librarians
  • Speech Pathologists
  • Special Education Teachers
  • Title 1 Teachers
  • Library media specialists
  • Reading specialists
  • Reading interventionists

This is one of the required courses for individuals pursuing reading teacher certification, Wisconsin #1316

This course is an approved elective in the Master of Science in Education online degree program. 

How do I register?

Complete the Online Registration Form.

When is the registration deadline?

Reserve your spot now. This program is top-rated, and courses fill well before the start date. This course is offered three times each year (spring, summer, and fall).

Withdrawal and Refund Policy

Course Description

Evaluation, selection, and teaching of literature in the elementary school language arts program based on the foundation of historically significant books focusing on authors and illustrators writing for today's young readers.

Teaching children's literature with important books, children's authors, and illustrators. Create and share community involvement opportunities in building a literacy environment and design classroom activities to improve reading comprehension and meet the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).

E-textbook

An e-textbook will be provided when you log in to the course. 

Galda, L., Sipe, L.R., Liang, L.A., & Cullinan, B.E. (2017). Literature and the child.  (9th ed.). Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978-1-305-64236-2

If you prefer to read a hard copy of the textbook instead of reading via your computer or tablet, you may purchase the book from an online bookstore such as amazon.com. Be sure to allow for delivery time. NOTE the ISBN number and 9th edition.

In addition to the textbook, participants will be asked to read widely in the area of children's literature. Specific titles will not be required, but readings on each topic or genre will be required to successfully participate in the class discussion. Focus is on contemporary literature published within the past five years.

Our Students Say. . .

"This online course is extremely useful for any teacher wanting to know how and which books to use to promote reading and improve literacy in the classroom. "

"This class had a huge influence on me. I'm offering a reader's workshop and made arrangements with my principal to keep our school library open during the summer school hours." 
~ Laurine Karstens, GT/RtI
Chetek, Wisconsin

"This course has been a wonderful introduction to my graduate school experience. I have enjoyed the format and the clarity of the course, as well as the communication and information."
~ Leah Le Clair, 2nd Grade Teacher
Oshkosh, Wisconsin

"Dialogue with colleagues is engaging and relevant to current teaching topics surrounding children and what they are reading. Don't miss this class!"
~ Sadie Sveum, Elementary Teacher
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

"Not only do I have a wish list for new books but also I have discovered books in my collection. I have a more critical eye about multicultural books and activities along with a better grasp on whether a book is historical fiction or a misrepresentation of a historical event. I found this class encouraged me to use that enjoyment of literature and share it with others."
~ Naomi Gelfand, Media Specialist
Rockville, Maryland

No travel to campus - 100% Online
  • Participate 24/7 from your home or work computer during hours that are best for your work and family schedule.
  • The class is highly interactive with a significant discussion component.
  • All discussion postings, projects, and assignments will be submitted via the course discussion board and Dropbox.
  • Activities are conducted according to a schedule with specific due dates each week.
  • There are no required "live" chat sessions.
  • This is not a self-paced class.