Ruth McKoy Lowery
School of Teaching and Learning, College of Education
Immigrants in Children's Literature (LAE 6616/LAE 6XXX)
The LAE 6616, Immigrants in Children’s Literature, is designed to assist prospective teachers develop the competence and confidence needed to teach in the early childhood, elementary and middle school classrooms. We focus on different nationalities and cultures preservice teachers will encounter in their classrooms. The ongoing wars in Iraq, Israel, and African nations are some push factors that drive new immigrants to the United States and other countries across the globe. Immigration, particularly illegal immigration, is a major political concern today. Teachers are involuntarily drawn into the debate as they teach the children of these populations. Preservice teachers’ lack of understanding of immigration issues brought about this course on immigration. The course addresses countries around the world, but focuses on countries that currently impact the United States and Canada (e.g. Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan). The goal is to gain an international understanding of others, and the relationships between the United States and countries around the world.
A global perspective of the children they will ultimately teach is important for all teachers. The materials we will be able to provide to highlight this will help them to develop an awareness and understanding of the diverse student populations. Although this topic is timely, our local and university libraries offer very few available reading materials or other media. This grant will provide some of the resources for concrete experiences for the preservice teachers. The course will be submitted to the College Curriculum Committee for a permanent course number adoption.