Good morning, y’all! Got a quick question for you. I’m thinking you’re reading more nonfiction in your classroom these days. Care to share your favorite titles? I’d sure love to hear them, and I feel certain your teaching pals would too!
Cheerfully,
Diane
There is actually a lot of current research about non- fiction! The research shows that children need to be taught the structure on non-fiction and reading non fiction will build vocabulary and is a great way to increase fluency. Non fiction also helps children build background knowledge on science and social studies concepts. You can also differentiate instruction with nonfiction as you can fine a lot of leveled readers on the same topic.
Elfrieda Hierbert has published fluency readers that are non fiction. They are quick one page reads that have to do about topic in science or social studies. Students can read them 3-4 times to increase fluency and also build background knowledge science and social studies concepts. Nell Duke is another researcher that has done a lot of recent studies on nonfiction. She has an elementary nonfiction curriculum with 2nd grade leveled books published on scholastic.
I have read Ruby Bridges, Helan Keller and non fiction books about segregation with my students and they really enjoyed them.
I have a great non fiction book that the kids love.
The title is Squirrels.
Year after year in the fall I use this book and the kids love it.
We are reading/have read:
The Mouse and the MOtorcycle
The CHocolate Touch
The Lemonade War
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Frindle
No Talking
Sarah, Plain, and Tall
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
George Washington’s Socks
Swiss Family RObinson (Abeka book version)
Polyanna
I try to put non-fiction books out in all of my centers along with the fiction ones. The students love non-fiction books about animals and insects. We have been studying insects, so I put out magnifying glasses along with the books. It turned out to be a big hit, and it generated a lot of questions and discussions. 🙂
The Picture Book of Louis Braille by David Adler is a great one. Very poignant subject. We have used a book about Martin Luther King Jr. – forget the author but we will be pulling it out soon.
Should there be zoos? : a persuasive text [Big book kit]
Author(s) Stead, Tony.
This is a great book for grade 2-3 especially if you are working on accountable talk in your classroom.