In the Classroom: Spotlight on Science Poetry

Since April is poetry month, I thought I’d share ten of my favorite science and nature poetry books for children. Most of these authors have created many wonderful books. If you aren’t familiar with their work, I urge you to visit their websites to see what else they’ve written for young readers. Forest Has a […]

5 Faves: Expository Nonfiction Recommended by Lisa Maucione, Earth Day Edition

I chose five favorite expository nonfiction books about our planet Earth. Our planet, our home, is an amazing and complex place, as readers can learn within the pages of these books. In addition to providing information, these books are favorites because they celebrate our Earth, remind us how precious it is, and nudge us to […]

5 Faves: Expository Nonfiction Recommended by Kristen Picone

Melissa Stewart is one of my author heroes and her blog has provided an endless amount of resources and ideas that I have been able to apply to my classroom instruction. I’ve been following along with Monday’s “5 Faves” posts and, by Tuesday, my bank account usually feels the effects. Being invited to contribute is […]

5 Faves: Expository Nonfiction Recommended by Kathie MacIsaac

When I was asked to share five expository nonfiction titles, I did what comes naturally…I started doing research. I looked at what I had recently read and what other readers had suggested. I browsed lists of nonfiction recommendations. Once I was satisfied, I headed to the library shelves with my list of titles and brought […]

Behind the Books: Looking Forward, Looking Back

Twenty years ago, my very first book was published. Life Without Light: A Journey to Earth’s Dark Ecosystems was a nonfiction YA title that explored the fledgling scientific study of little-know creatures that eke out an existence deep inside caves, around hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor, on the walls of underground aquifers, and within rocky […]

5 Faves: Expository Nonfiction Recommended by Donna Miller

These five books are often used as whole class read alouds prior to the students starting a unit of study or a research project. I often do animal research in the younger grades and a variety of projects with the older grades. The topics vary depending on the timing of the projects and what the […]

5 Faves: Expository Nonfiction Recommended by Franki Sibberson

Here are five expository nonfiction books I was excited to add to our classroom library this year: 50 Cities of the U.S.A.: Explore America’s Cities with 50 Fact-Filled Maps by Gabriella Balkan Once I brought this book into the classroom, I could not get it back. It is hugely popular with fifth graders. This book […]

5 Faves: Expository Nonfiction Recommended by Kim Keith

It’s a Butterfly’s Life by Irene Kelly (Holiday House, 2007) This book introduces the younger grades to the scientific details about butterflies. Each picture highlights a species and describes its common behaviors. My first grade classes use this book as they hatch butterflies every spring. The simple informative text is easy for the students to […]

5 Faves: Expository Nonfiction Recommended by Stacey Rattner

When Melissa asked me to write a guest blog post on expository nonfiction, I thought it would be pretty easy. It was only when I realized that my initial list was narrative nonfiction, that I had to sit back and really dive into my “Dewey Section” of the library. Now I feel like I’ve copped […]

5 Faves: Expository Nonfiction Recommended by Jen Vincent

Animal Ark: Celebrating Our Wild World in Poetry and Pictures by Kwame Alexander and Joel Sartore (National Geographic, 2017) Kwame Alexander collaborated with National Geographic to bring us a picture book that blends stunning, unique photographs with rich language. The Animal Book: A Collection of the Fastest, Fiercest, Toughest, Cleverest, Shyest, and most Surprising Animals […]