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Browsing Project

RESOURCES: 

Browsing Project Form: Browsing Project Guidelines.pdf; Browsing Project Guidelines.docx

LMU Library Catalogue : use the catalogue to identify texts that meet the criteria for the project.

Description: 

There are 4 Browsing Projects (one with each large unit) in ENGL-320: 

• Fantastic Literature
• Poetry and Drama
• Historical & Multicultural Fiction
• Nonfiction 

Students are expected to have browsed a library collection (either at LMU or at their local library) and review a range of books (about 7-10) that are good representations of the genre/sub-genre or topic. All children's book should be read, middle grade and HS fiction may be skimmed. 

• Assess the books with the course rubric and create an MLA or APA bibliography or texts (use the FORM provided). 
•  Include a PICTURE of the books you found (or e-books you checked out from the library). You need to have COPIES of the texts for this assignment.   

These are NOT supposed to be heavy time-commitments!! These list-projects are PARTICIPATION projects. If you fully participate (i.e. meet the criteria, find the books), you get credit.  

This is ALSO a great place to start thinking about the final project as you're looking through the stacks and getting ideas. 

• Are you creating a UNIT for a future class?  
• Are you creating a UNIT for a library where children can sign up for a focused reading group with activities and crafts for fun?
• Are you creating a UNIT for an ONLN master-class or a Podcast looking at the historic evolution of Children's Literature in America?  

This assignment fulfills learning objectives 1&2  (and is the basis for GROUP PRESENTATIONS and the final BIBLIOGRAPHY PROJECT). 

PURPOSE: 

The purpose of this project is: 

1. to familiarize students with children’s and YA literature collections beyond their personal experience
2. to develop a robust bibliography of primary texts
3. to understand the criteria for a “good” book for a range of young readers

TASKS: 

1. BROWSE children’s and YA literature COLLECTIONS (should take about 30 minutes to browse stacks and research on catalogue): 
1. LMU Children’s and YA literature stacks
2. Local public library children's and YA lit stacks
3. Other options may be discussed with professor on one-on-one basis
2. EVALUATE texts with rubric (use Microsoft Word form): should take 5 minutes to fill out (after reading text)
3. Create APA or MLA bibliography (use Microsoft Word form): should take 2 minutes per text
4. Identify WHICH category each book fulfills on table: should take 5 minutes total
5. ATTACH PICTURE of all five physical books (or e-books) 

Be sure to identify WHICH category each text fills (one text may fulfill more than one category).

• One book must be award winning (indicate award/s).
• One book must be elementary or middle-school level.
• One book must be high-school level.
• One book must be by a marginalized or minority author.
• Books should include three genres (novel, poetry…) when applicable.

CRITERIA (for Browsing Project Grade): 

BEST RESOURCES:

• Librarians!! You can go to the library in person or use the CHAT function on LMU's library webpage.  
• Library catalogues.
• BOOK AWARDS LISTS
• This is also the kind of assignment where AI summaries might be useful (though they may also be inaccurate and risky - should be used as a tool ONLY).