A course in children's literature for prospective elementary school teaches used two new educational strategies: first, the basis of the course was a set of performance-based instructional modules; second, the overall style of the class was similar to a modified open classroom approach. Each student was asked to complete at least one performance-based module for each of ten areas of children's literature. Each individual module included a stated behavioral objective, a list of proposed activities, reference materials, and evaluation experiences. Class activities included group discussions, demonstrations, and small-group activities. Each student was asked to keep a journal of his responses to each piece of reading done. A teacher-made objective test on children's literature was administered to the students at the end of the term. The mean score was 80 percent. Subjective evaluation by students, which included analysis of journal entries and an attitude test, indicated a positive reaction to the course and to the use of instructional modules. (Several sample modules are included.) (RT)