Where Do We Go From Here?

Well, now that the semester has run it's course, there are many loose ends to tie up. Over all, I learned so much about diverse literature throughout this course. I have seen responses from the outside world through finding professional resources, readings in the course pack as well as reviews about our text. We all have gotten to experience the interactions between authors, awards, and the readers (through the responses we have gotten from authors and committee members). But most of all I have engaged in conversations about literature that I would have never had the opportunity to read if it had not been for this course. I am now more aware of many issues that come about in children's literature, and have a better understanding for how to respect and handle controversial literature on my own and in a classroom. But where do we go from here?

I feel that I will always be more confident in using literature in my classroom, but I will also be more aware of what the literature is telling my students (i.e. what stereotypes, insider vs. outsider, etc). It is so important to share all literature with students, but I feel that now I will be able to share much more then just the literature. There is so much more behind a book then just the pictures and words on a page, and I would like to install that understanding, knowledge, respect, and questioning in my students as well as any fellow classmates. Thank you to everyone who participated in conversations with me in class, they were so meaningful. Overall, thank you for a wonderful semester!