Posted: May 21st, 2013

Education

Narrative texts are commonly used in elementary classrooms. These texts can be either fiction or nonfiction, but they typically include basic elements of a story: characters, setting, plot or problem, resolution, and rich vocabulary.

According to Kiefer, Hepler, and Hickman (2007), when choosing narrative text pieces for elementary students, it is important to carefully consider whether the body of work is appropriate. This often requires an analysis of the text to look for key features and to ensure that the text is free from various types of bias and stereotyping.

Task:

A. Using what you have learned from the course of study readings and video viewings, consider what characteristics make up a quality narrative text.

Note: Think back to when you were a child. Consider whether there was a particular book or story that you seemed to enjoy the most. Consider what it was about that selection that appealed to you.

1. Compare (suggested length of 1–2 pages) these personal experiences with what you learned in your required readings.

B. Contact the specific school staff member, teacher, or administrator at the location of your school placement who supervises your pre-clinical experience (PCE); arrange to interview a local elementary school librarian or classroom teacher and seek his or her insight about the selection of appropriate materials.

1. Summarize the interview (suggested length of 2–4 pages) and include the following:

• The qualities or characteristics considered when selecting books

• The formal analysis process used to select books

• The resources used in deciding which narrative texts to purchase

C. Create your own form for analyzing narrative texts.

1. Analyze the following using the form you created (with the classroom teacher’s permission):

a. Two children’s books found in that teacher’s classroom library

b. One story found in the basal textbook or one additional children’s book (if there is no basal text available) in the classroom.

Note: Keep in mind that it is important to select texts that are appropriate for a diverse student population.

Note: You should submit the form you created as a file attachment when submitting your work for this task.

D. If you use sources, include all in-text citations and references in APA format. 

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