1. Literature is important in primary school as it develops critical thinking, reasoning, and language skills. Discussing stories helps students analyze characters, events, and themes. 2. Picture books especially help develop visual literacy and creative skills. They improve students' understanding of lines, color, shapes, and design. 3. Studying literature fosters empathy, tolerance, imagination, and social-emotional skills like understanding different feelings. It also aids personal development and forms attitudes. 4. Teaching literature to young children has advantages because they are more receptive and enthusiastic, though they have shorter attention spans. Teachers should use engaging activities tailored to students' ages.

2. Bring into contact with
2021/2028 Kao
‘Mamalema, a completing
student at Lesotho
College of Education in
Thaba-Tseka campus.

3. Introduction
• Literature is the written material such as poetry, novels, essays etc. It works as
imagination characterized by excellence of style and expression and by
themes of general or enduring interest. Language learning requires acquiring
four skills of reading comprehension, writing, listening and speaking so
literature has proved a good source to fulfill these four skills.

4. Importance of literature in primary school
cycle
• In point of communication literature develops critical and analytical skills
since pupils learn to work independently and present their arguments
supported by the studied literary texts.
• Discussion of literature bring out reasoning related to sequence, cause and
effect, character motivation, prediction, visualization of actions, characters
and settings, critical analysis of the story and creative responses.

5. Continuation of the importance of literature
• Starting in the pre-school years and continuing in the primary cycle, picture
books used to support stories develop visual literacy. The creative illustrating
in picture books develop children’s awareness of line, color, space, shape and
design. Picture convey meaning and open new opportunities for
interpretation developing children’s critical skills.

6. Continuation of importance of literature
• The study of literature encourages empathy, tolerance of diversity,
imagination and emotional intelligence which in the understanding of
feelings both of one’s own and the others. A piece of literature act on the
students’ emotions, interests, remains in their memories.
• Apart from these, the most important reason for using literature in the
classroom is the personal development. It educates the reader, helps him/her
form a set of values and form attitudes towards them.

7. Continuation if importance of literature
• When reading or studying a text, a reader becomes emotionally attached with
the story and the characters and this situation has positive effects not only on
the personal growth but also on the whole learning process.
• Literature provides pleasure to listeners and readers. It is a relaxing escape
from daily problems and it fills leisure moments. Making time from
recreational reading and using high quality literature helps to develop
enthusiastic reader and improve achievement.

8. Continuation of importance of literature
• Teaching literature to children in the primary school cycle has many
advantages as compared to teaching to other age levels. Children are more
receptive, more playful and enthusiastic. They also loose interest quickly, and
as their attention cannot be focused on a subject for a long time. That is why
a teacher should use simple activities in teaching literature and focus on the
learner.

9. Activities based on class experience
Activity 1
Objective; aesthetic dimension
development through memorization.
Skills; speaking, listening
The teacher chooses a poem with
appropriate content.
After announcing the title, the teacher recites
two to three times the poem as a model lecture
in order to underline its aesthetic values.
The teacher explains the new words and
discusses the text with children.

10. Continuation of activity 1
The poem is learnt by heart.
The first stanza is repeated
until it is memorized.
Children are asked to make
short sentences with some
words from the poem.
Children are rewarded for
their responses.

11. Activity 2
Objectives; connecting
information, vocabulary
Skills; reading, listening, writing
A teacher brings a short historical film,
the whole class watch the film.
Pupils are asked to write the characters,
setting and events.
Pupils are asked to give the short account
of the story.
Pupils are rewarded for their
engagement.

12. Recommendation
• For children ‘s academic performance and growth, teachers should make
literature engaging to instill a love for literature in their students. Also they
must select age appropriate materials to ensure that students can
comprehend and connect with the content.
• Teachers must introduce a variety of literature from different cultures and
backgrounds. This will expose students to a wide range of perspectives,
beliefs and traditions through literature. It will promote cultural
understanding, appreciation for diversity and expands their worldview.

13. Continuation of recommentation
• Teachers must collaborate with colleagues who are passionate about
literature. Share ideas, resources and lesson plans to enhance the quality of
literature education across the school. Again teachers must plan and organize
events that celebrate literature such as fairs and writing competitions. This
events can create a buzz around reading and writing, inspiring students
creativity and encourage them to pursue literature beyond the classroom.

14. REFERENCE
• Bauman, Z. (2004). Identity; Conversations with Benedetto Vecchi, London;
Polity Press
• Collie, J. Slater, S. (1990). Literature in classroom; A resource book of ideas
activities
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)