Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2025 - EDUC 823 G031

Curriculum and Instruction in an Individual Teaching Speciality (5)

Class Number: 3703

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Location: TBA

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An intensive examination of developments in a curriculum area selected by the student. In addition the course will deal with major philosophical and historical factors that influence the present state and future directions of curriculum and instruction.

COURSE DETAILS:

Meeting Dates:

May 9, 10 & 30, 31

Jun 13, 14 & 27, 28

Jul 11, 12

Meeting Times:

Fridays: 4:30 – 9:00pm

Saturdays: 8:30 – 4:00pm

(comps will be on July 26, 9am - 4pm)

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course focuses on writing texts for and with youth.

Specifically, students will:

  • Learn about book cultures and publishing as related to children’s literature
  • Examine literature and stories by historical and contemporary youth
  • Consider and present on pedagogical methods for engaging young people in creative storytelling projects
  • Explore the possibilities of “ungrading” as a generative assessment tool when teaching creative writing
  • Participate in ‘writer’s workshops’ giving and receiving feedback on one another’s writing
  • Develop and revise a portfolio of select creative writing projects that showcase a range of genres (e.g. picturebook, poetry, folk tale adaptation, fan fiction, prose, and creative non-fiction)

Grading

  • Participation and weekly assignments 25%
  • Portfolio of writing (including revisions) 60%
  • Presentations 15%

NOTES:

Please contact me should you require any accommodations.

REQUIREMENTS:

Assigned scholarly and creative readings will be available on Canvas, and must be completed in advance of each class. A component of each class will be devoted to writing exercises and workshopping students’ various writing projects; however, students will also need to do a considerable amount of creative writing, revision, and reading of one another’s work between classes on their own time. Additionally, this course includes weekly assignments, scholarly research, small group and whole-class discussions, arts-based inquiry, and presentations.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Students will need a copy of the required book as well as additional texts to bring to class. Students will be expected to spend time before each class in libraries, bookstores, and online, selecting children’s/YA texts and scholarly articles.

REQUIRED READING:

Klassen, Jon. The Skull. (2023). Candlewick Press.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.