Teaching in Elementary Grades Through Literature PDF

**Teaching in Elementary Grades Through Literature** **Module 1** **Intended Learning Outcome** +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | At the end of the week, the pre-service teacher (PST) should be able | | to:...

**Teaching in Elementary Grades Through Literature** **Module 1** **Intended Learning Outcome** +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | At the end of the week, the pre-service teacher (PST) should be able | | to: | | | | a. b. | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ **Concept of Literature** - Etymologically, the term \"literature\" derives from the Latin word *litteratura*, meaning \"writing formed with letters.\" Initially, it encompassed all written works, but over time, it has come to refer specifically to imaginative or artistic writing, including poetry, drama, and prose. - The origin of literature can be traced back to ancient civilizations, particularly in the region of Mesopotamia, around 3200 BCE. The earliest known literary works emerged from the Sumerians, who developed cuneiform writing. One of the first recognized authors of literature was Enheduanna, a high-priestess of Ur, who composed hymns in praise of the Sumerian goddess Inanna around 2285-2250 BCE - Literature is a method of recording, preserving, and transmitting knowledge and entertainment. It can also have a social, psychological, spiritual, or political role. Literature, as an art form, can also include works in various non-fiction genres, such as biography, diaries, memoirs, letters, and essays. - Literature is a complex art, encompassing poetry, music, painting, sculpture, prose, and architecture. The esthetic sense is a sine qua non, and all works are worthy of attention. - In a general sense, \"Anything that is written is literature, times, tables, catalog,text, books, travel, brochoures, advertisement, news ites etc are literature. In a serious sense, literature is writing which express and communicates feelings and attitudes towards life. (R. J. Rees ) - Literature is anything that is printed, as long as related to the ideas and feelings of the people, weather it is true , or just a product of ones imagination. (Webster) **Founding Figures in English Literature** 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. S**ignificance of literature in Human Experience** +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | | **Overview** | **Application in | | | | teaching** | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | Human Themes and | Literature often | Teachers can guide | | Universality | addresses universal | students in | | | themes such as love, | identifying these | | | loss, conflict, | universal themes in | | | identity, and | texts and connecting | | | morality. These | them to their own | | | themes resonate with | lives and the world | | | readers because they | around them. This | | | reflect common human | approach fosters | | | experiences. | empathy and a deeper | | | | appreciation of | | | | literature as a | | | | mirror of human | | | | experience | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ |. Moral and Ethical | Many literary works | By discussing the | | Dimensions | explore moral and | moral and ethical | | | ethical dilemmas, | dimensions of | | | challenging readers | literature, teachers | | | to think critically | can encourage | | | about right and | students to engage in | | | wrong, justice and | thoughtful debate and | | | injustice, and other | self-reflection, | | | ethical concerns. | considering how the | | | | issues raised in a | | | | text relate to their | | | | own values and | | | | beliefs. | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | 3\. Cultural and | Literature is often | Teachers can help | | Historical Context | deeply rooted in the | students explore the | | | cultural and | cultural and | | | historical context in | historical background | | | which it was written. | of a literary work, | | | Understanding this | examining how it | | | context can provide | reflects or critiques | | | valuable insights | the society of its | | | into the text and its | time. This approach | | | significance. | can also include | | | | comparing texts from | | | | different cultures | | | | and periods to | | | | highlight diverse | | | | human experiences. | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | 4\. Personal and | Literature often | Encourage students to | | Collective Identity | explores issues of | reflect on how | | | identity, both | characters in | | | personal and | literature struggle | | | collective. It can | with their identities | | | help readers | and how these | | | understand themselves | struggles resonate | | | and their place in | with their own | | | the world, as well as | experiences. | | | the experiences of | Discussions can also | | | others. | focus on how | | | | literature represents | | |. | collective | | | | identities, such as | | | | cultural, national, | | | | or gender identities | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | 5\. Empathy and | Engaging with | Literature classes | | Emotional | literature can | can include | | Intelligence | enhance emotional | activities that | | | intelligence by | encourage students to | | | fostering empathy and | put themselves in the | | | understanding for | shoes of characters, | | | others\' experiences | understand their | | | and perspectives. | emotions and | | | | motivations, and | | | | discuss how these | | | | insights apply to | | | | real-life situations. | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ By emphasizing literature as a significant human experience, educators can make literary study more meaningful and relevant to students\' lives, helping them to develop a deeper understanding of both the text and themselves. **Importance of Literature** **[L]earning**: Literature is a powerful tool for learning, offering insights into different cultures, historical periods, and philosophical ideas. It helps readers expand their knowledge and understanding of the world. **[I]nspiring**: Great literature has the ability to inspire readers by presenting new perspectives, challenging ideas, and sparking creativity. It often motivates people to think critically and explore new ideas. **[T]houghts:** Literature stimulates thought, encouraging readers to reflect on complex issues, question societal norms, and consider moral and ethical dilemmas. It engages the mind in deep thinking. **[E]xploring**: Through literature, readers explore different worlds, both real and imagined. Whether it\'s through fiction, poetry, or drama, literature allows us to travel beyond our immediate surroundings and experience new places and times. **[R]ealities**: Literature often portrays the realities of human life, from the joys and struggles of everyday existence to the complexities of human emotions and relationships. It provides a mirror to our own experiences. **[And]:** This word represents the connective nature of literature. It brings together various elements---characters, plots, themes---to create a cohesive and meaningful whole. **[T]ales**: Stories are at the heart of literature. Whether fictional or factual, tales are the vehicles through which ideas, cultures, and experiences are shared. They entertain, educate, and enlighten. **[U]ncovering:** Literature helps uncover truths about the human condition, society, and the world. It reveals hidden aspects of life and invites readers to look deeper into the narratives presented. **[R]ich:** Literature is rich in diversity, offering a vast array of genres, styles, and voices. This richness adds depth and variety to the human experience. **[E]xperiences:** Literature captures and conveys a wide range of human experiences, from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Through literature, readers can live vicariously through the lives of others, gaining empathy and understanding. **Different Literary Genres** **Fiction** Definition: Narrative works created from the imagination, not based strictly on real events. Subgenres: - - - - - - - **Non-Fiction** Definition: Works based on real events, facts, and information. Subgenres: - - - - Poetry Definition: A form of literary expression using rhythmic and metaphorical language. Subgenres: - - - - Drama Definition: Literature intended for performance, focusing on dialogue and action. Subgenres: - - - Additional Genres - - - - **Literacy pieces during the different era of the Philippines** Philippine literature has evolved significantly throughout the country\'s history, with notable literary pieces emerging during various eras. Here are some key works from different periods: **Spanish Colonial Period (1565-1898)** 1. 2. 3. 4. **American Colonial Period (1898-1946)** 1. 2. **Post-War and Contemporary Period (1946-present)** 1. 2. 3. **Different purposes of literature** **Informative** Literature often aims to inform readers about various subjects, including historical events, cultural practices, and scientific concepts. Informative texts provide factual information and enhance understanding of the world, contributing to education and awareness. **Persuasive** Many literary works seek to persuade readers to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action. This purpose is common in essays, speeches, and some fictional narratives that address social issues, encouraging readers to reflect on their beliefs and behaviors. **Instructive** Instructive literature provides guidance or instructions on how to perform specific tasks or understand complex concepts. This includes manuals, self-help books, and educational texts, which aim to teach readers practical skills or knowledge. **Entertaining** One of the most recognized purposes of literature is to entertain. Novels, plays, and poetry often aim to amuse and engage readers, allowing them to escape reality and experience different worlds, emotions, and adventures. This entertainment can also provide aesthetic pleasure through artistic expression and storytelling. **Reflective and Emotional** Literature often serves as a mirror to society, reflecting cultural values, human experiences, and emotional truths. It allows readers to explore complex themes such as love, loss, identity, and conflict, fostering empathy and understanding of the human condition. **Cultural and Historical Preservation** Literature plays a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage and historical narratives. Through storytelling, it captures the essence of different eras, societies, and traditions, providing insights into the past and shaping collective memory. **Personal Growth and Catharsis** Reading literature can lead to personal growth, offering insights into one's own life and experiences. It can also provide catharsis, allowing readers to process emotions and find solace in shared experiences. In summary, literature fulfills a variety of purposes, from informing and persuading to entertaining and reflecting on the human experience, making it an essential component of culture and communication. **OBA -- Outcome Based Assessment** Activity \# 1 Discuss the Following 1. **\"Literature as a Reflection of the Human Experience\":** 2. **\"The Purposes of Literature in Education\":** 3. **\"The Cultural and Historical Significance of Literature\":** a. Title of the Piece b. Genre of the literary piece c. Introduction d. Provide significant examples in the piece that matches its chosen Genre e. Conclusion Answer Key Here are possible answers to the essay questions: **1. \"Literature as a Reflection of the Human Experience\":** **Possible Answer:** Literature serves as a powerful mirror to the human experience, reflecting universal themes such as love, conflict, identity, and morality. These themes resonate with readers across time and cultures because they touch on fundamental aspects of what it means to be human. For instance, in Shakespeare\'s *Romeo and Juliet*, the theme of love is explored not just as a romantic ideal, but as a force that challenges social norms and leads to tragic consequences. This theme can help students understand the complexity of emotions and the impact of societal expectations on individual lives. In the classroom, teachers can use these universal themes to help students connect with the text on a personal level. By encouraging students to relate the experiences of literary characters to their own lives, educators can foster empathy and a deeper understanding of literature. For example, discussing themes of identity in *To Kill a Mockingbird* by Harper Lee can help students reflect on their own sense of self and the influences of society on their beliefs and behaviors. Ultimately, literature\'s ability to convey the breadth of human experience makes it an invaluable tool in education, helping students to develop a more nuanced understanding of themselves and the world around them. **2. \"The Purposes of Literature in Education\":** **Possible Answer:** Literature serves multiple purposes in education, including informing, persuading, instructing, and entertaining. Each of these purposes can be harnessed to achieve specific educational goals in elementary grades. For example, literature\'s informative role can be utilized to teach students about different cultures and historical events. A lesson on *The Diary of Anne Frank* can provide students with insights into the Holocaust, while also fostering discussions on the importance of tolerance and understanding. Persuasive literature, such as speeches and essays, can be used to develop critical thinking and debate skills. Students might analyze Martin Luther King Jr.\'s \"I Have a Dream\" speech, discussing how rhetoric is used to persuade and inspire action. Instructive literature, such as Aesop\'s fables, can be integrated into lessons on morals and ethics, helping students to understand complex concepts through simple, relatable stories. Finally, literature\'s entertaining function is crucial for engaging young readers. Books like *Charlotte\'s Web* by E.B. White not only entertain but also teach valuable lessons about friendship and compassion. By choosing texts that align with these various purposes, teachers can create a well-rounded literary curriculum that addresses multiple aspects of student development. **3. \"The Cultural and Historical Significance of Literature\":** **Possible Answer:** Literature is a vital tool for preserving and conveying cultural and historical knowledge. Teaching literary works from different historical periods and cultures is essential in helping students understand the diverse world they live in. For example, *Florante at Laura* by Francisco Balagtas, a classic piece of Philippine literature, provides insights into the social and political issues of the Spanish colonial period. Through this text, students can learn about the struggles for freedom and justice, which remain relevant in contemporary discussions of national identity. Understanding the cultural and historical context of a text enhances students\' comprehension and appreciation of literature. When students read *Noli Me Tángere* by José Rizal, for example, they are not just reading a story---they are engaging with a piece of history that played a significant role in the Philippine revolution against Spanish rule. By exploring the background of the novel, students can better understand the motivations of the characters and the societal issues being critiqued. Teachers can deepen this learning by comparing texts from different cultures and time periods, showing students how literature reflects the values, struggles, and aspirations of various societies. For instance, comparing *Things Fall Apart* by Chinua Achebe with *The Grapes of Wrath* by John Steinbeck can highlight how different cultures respond to social and economic upheavals. This approach not only broadens students\' literary knowledge but also fosters a global perspective and a deeper appreciation of the shared human experience.