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What Do We Teach Readers Tomorrow? Nonfiction for Grades K-12

Cody Blair

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Published in What Do I Teach Readers Tomorrow? Nonfiction Grades 3 8: Your Moment To Moment Decision Making Guide (Corwin Literacy)

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In a world awash in information, it is more important than ever to teach students how to read, understand, and evaluate nonfiction texts. Nonfiction texts provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in school, college, and careers. They also help students develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of the world around them.

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts and Literacy place a strong emphasis on nonfiction reading. The CCSS require students to read a variety of nonfiction texts, including informational texts, literary nonfiction, and technical texts. Students must be able to understand the main ideas and supporting details of nonfiction texts, as well as the author's purpose and perspective.

What Do I Teach Readers Tomorrow? Nonfiction, Grades 3-8: Your Moment-to-Moment Decision-Making Guide (Corwin Literacy)

by Gravity Goldberg

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	295 pages

Teaching nonfiction reading can be challenging, but it is also rewarding. By providing students with the tools and strategies they need to succeed, teachers can help them become lifelong learners who are able to navigate the world of information with confidence.

What is Nonfiction?

Nonfiction is a type of writing that is based on facts and real events. It can be about any topic, from history to science to biography. Nonfiction texts can be written in a variety of styles, including expository, narrative, and persuasive.

Expository nonfiction texts explain or inform the reader about a particular topic. They often use facts, statistics, and examples to support their claims. Narrative nonfiction texts tell a story about real events. They may use literary devices, such as plot, character, and setting, to engage the reader.

Persuasive nonfiction texts try to convince the reader to agree with the author's point of view. They often use evidence, logic, and emotion to support their arguments.

Why is it Important to Teach Nonfiction?

There are many reasons why it is important to teach nonfiction. First, nonfiction texts provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in school, college, and careers. Nonfiction texts are the primary source of information in many fields, such as science, history, and social studies. Students who are able to read and understand nonfiction texts are better prepared for success in these fields.

Second, nonfiction texts help students develop critical thinking skills. When students read nonfiction texts, they must be able to understand the main ideas and supporting details of the text. They must also be able to evaluate the author's purpose and perspective. This process of critical thinking helps students develop the skills they need to make informed decisions.

Third, nonfiction texts help students develop a deep understanding of the world around them. Nonfiction texts can teach students about different cultures, different time periods, and different scientific discoveries. This knowledge can help students develop a more informed and nuanced understanding of the world.

How to Teach Nonfiction

There are many different ways to teach nonfiction. The best approach will vary depending on the age and ability level of your students. However, there are some general tips that you can keep in mind when teaching nonfiction:

Start with the basics. Before you can teach students how to read and understand nonfiction texts, you need to make sure that they have a solid foundation in reading skills. This includes the ability to decode words, understand vocabulary, and comprehend sentences.
Provide students with background knowledge. Before students read a nonfiction text, it is important to provide them with some background knowledge about the topic. This will help them to understand the context of the text and to make connections to their own prior knowledge.
Use a variety of teaching methods. There are many different ways to teach nonfiction. Some effective methods include:
- Read-alouds: Reading aloud to students is a great way to introduce them to different types of nonfiction texts. It can also help them to develop fluency and comprehension skills.
- Shared reading: Shared reading is a strategy in which the teacher and students read a text together. The teacher models good reading strategies and helps students to understand the text.
- Guided reading: Guided reading is a strategy in which the teacher provides students with support as they read a text. The teacher may ask questions, provide clarification, and help students to make connections to their own prior knowledge.
- Independent reading: Independent reading is an important way for students to develop their reading skills. Students should be given time to read nonfiction texts on their own.
Use graphic organizers. Graphic organizers can help students to visualize and understand the information in nonfiction texts. Some common graphic organizers include:
- Web diagrams: Web diagrams can be used to show relationships between different concepts.
- Flow charts: Flow charts can be used to show the steps in a process.
- Timelines: Timelines can be used to show the order of events.
Assess student learning. It is important to assess student learning on a regular basis to ensure that they are understanding the material. There are many different ways to assess student learning, including:
- Quizzes: Quizzes can be used to assess student understanding of the main ideas and supporting details of a text.
- Essays: Essays can be used to assess student understanding of a topic and their ability to write clearly and concisely.
- Projects: Projects can be used to assess student understanding of a topic and their ability to apply their knowledge to new situations.

Teaching nonfiction is an important part of preparing students for success in school, college, and careers. By providing students with the tools and strategies they need to succeed, teachers can help them become lifelong learners who are able to navigate the world of information with confidence.

What Do I Teach Readers Tomorrow? Nonfiction, Grades 3-8: Your Moment-to-Moment Decision-Making Guide (Corwin Literacy)

by Gravity Goldberg

4.2 out of 5