Session 11: We’re going on a book hunt! Reflections on an intern-led children’s literature book club
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24377/studentexp3269Abstract
Curriculum Enhancement Internship Project funded by the Teaching and Learning Academy
Session overview:
This presentation will reflect on a level 4, internally funded, intern-led project for Education Studies and Primary (BA Hons) students. A children’s literature book club, enhanced students’ subject knowledge and provided a social opportunity for the cohort. The club aimed to build on key student outcomes and experience measures such as continuation and completion and progression.
Allen and Nichols (2017) identify that often students have little voice or agency in creating interventions. The promotion and content of the club, such as weekly themes and activities were developed by interns (with support from the project leader). Themes and texts were selected for positive representations of diversity and to offer ‘Windows and Mirrors’ (Sims Bishop, 1990) into children’s (and students’) lives.
Our student cohort explore diverse roles within the children’s workforce during and after their degrees (e.g. Teaching Assistants, Teaching, Social Work, Children’ Mental Health Support). Our students are often asked to select and discuss a children’s text for PGCE interviews. However, within children’s literature, some childhoods are under-represented. For example, a survey with over 58.000 children found many children did not see themselves in the books they read (Best et al.,2020). Amongst these were children from ethnically diverse families, low-income families and children with disabilities. Therefore, our school resources, and the themes selected for focus by the interns, aimed to provide positive and diverse representations within the texts explored. These themes include: mental health and well-being, poverty and disability.
The presentation will explore student voices in relation to the value and challenges to the club and consider a rationale for the importance of diverse children’s literature. Key areas for discussion include belonging, the value of attending, and potential benefits beyond the project. The presentation will also consider the benefits of a children’s literature book club for wider groups of students.
Key learning points from this session:
This presentation will reflect on a level 4, internally funded, intern-led project for Education Studies and Primary (BA Hons) students. The presentation will explore student voices and key areas for discussion include 'belonging', the value of attending, and potential benefits beyond the project such as a children’s literature book club for wider groups of students.
We’re going on a book hunt! Reflections on an intern-led children’s literature book club PowerPoint. Only LJMU staff and students have access to this resource.
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