AASL Handout: 5 Kinds of Nonfiction
Many school librarians have worked hard to add award-winning narrative nonfiction to their collections, but studies show that 42 percent of elementary students prefer expository nonfiction. This session breaks down the five categories of nonfiction children’s books (four of which have an expository writing style), offers tips for updating book collections, and provides strategies for […]
NSTA Handout: Cross Curricular Connections for Science Books
Everyone knows that books about how plants grow and how animals use their unique body features and behaviors to survive can enrich science lessons, but they can also be used lots of other ways. Today, I’m in St. Louis at the National Science Teachers Association’s annual conference, participating in an amazing event that was the […]
SCBWI-LA Handout: Five Kinds of Nonfiction for Kids
Background I’ve written an article about the 5 kinds of nonfiction here: http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2017/12/behind-books-nonfiction-family-tree.html I’ve discussed the 5 kinds of nonfiction in this video created for Colby Sharp’s vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4vd1XEPu6E 5 Kinds of Nonfiction Flashcards Narrative vs. Expository Sample Texts Red-Eyed Tree Frog by Joy Cowley and Nic Bishop (Scholastic, 1999) Frog or Toad? How Do […]
nErDcampMI Handout: 5 Kinds of Nonfiction: Rethinking Your Book Collection
Most children’s literature enthusiasts are naturally drawn to stories and storytelling, including fiction and narrative nonfiction But up to 42 percent of elementary students prefer expository nonfiction. This session breaks down the five categories of nonfiction children’s books and provides tips for re-balancing school and classroom libraries and integrating expository nonfiction into lesson plans. Background […]
12 x 12 Challenge Handout: The Ins and Outs of Expository Nonfiction
Background I’ve written an article about the 5 kinds of nonfiction for SLJ: https://www.slj.com/2018/04/standards/understanding-teaching-five-kinds-nonfiction/ I’ve discussed the 5 kinds of nonfiction in this video created for Colby Sharp’s vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4vd1XEPu6E 5 Kinds of Nonfiction Flashcards Narrative vs. Expository Sample Texts Red-Eyed Tree Frog by Joy Cowley and Nic Bishop (Scholastic, 1999) Frog or […]
MSLA Handout: Innovative Activities for Teaching Nonfiction Reading and Writing
Author-educator Melissa Stewart shares fun, practical ideas for helping K-5 students develop information literacy skills as they read award-winning nonfiction books and produce their own informational writing. Attendees will go home with creative ways to support student learning in the library and via collaboration with classroom teachers. READING Nonfiction Smackdown! Upper elementary students read two […]
SCBWI Handout: Writing STEM Picture Books
3 Tips to Get Started Starting with a Question https://twowritingteachers.org/2017/05/26/stewartnfques/ Making a Personal Connection http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2017/05/behind-books-concept-and-connection.html Hooking Your Readers http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2013/11/behind-books-hooking-young-readers.html http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2015/03/behind-books-tinkering-with-my-tools.html 6 Key Elements of Nonfiction Writing Category http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2015/10/behind-books-look-at-life-stories.html http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2015/10/behind-books-look-at-survey-books.html http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2015/10/behind-books-look-at-specialized.html http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2015/10/behind-books-look-at-concept-books.html http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2015/11/behind-books-choosing-nonfiction.html http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2017/05/guest-post-melissa-stewart-on-concept.html http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2016/01/behind-books-writing-sciencenature.html Writing Style http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2015/12/behind-books-two-kinds-of-expository.html http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2015/12/behind-books-two-kinds-of-narrative.html http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2016/10/breaking-mold.html http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2016/08/mta-handout-nonfiction-triumvirate.html Text Structure http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2017/01/behind-books-shopping-for-text-structure.html http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2016/06/behind-books-q-the-forgotten-text.html http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2016/01/behind-books-text-structure.html http://www.melissa-stewart.com/pdf/Understanding_Text-Structures.pdf#zoom=70 http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2014/03/deadliest-animals-look-at-structure.html Format http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2017/03/in-classroom-text-format-in-expository.html http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2017/03/behind-books-importance-of-format-in.html http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2011/05/behind-books-does-your-books-format.html Voice […]
Helping Students Overcome Their Biggest Nonfiction Writing Challenges
Today SarahAlbee and I are leading a 90-minute session at the Massachusetts Reading Association conference. We will begin by asking the classroom teachers, librarians, reading specialists, and literacy coaches in the audience to share the most common nonfiction writing challenges their students face, and then we will suggest solutions. We will also invite audience members […]
Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference Handout
Building Research Skills in K-3 Author-educator Melissa Stewart introduces scaffolded visual, information, and digital literacy activities to help K-3 students develop the observational, inquiry, and critical thinking skills required to evaluate print and digital resources for nonfiction reports. Supports Common Core RIT Standards 6 and 7 and Writing Standards 7 and 8. Recommended Books […]
NF 4 NF Handout: Four Steps to a Stronger Manuscript
Vibrant Verbs: Books to Study Baboons by Melissa Stewart Rain, Rain, Rain Forest by Brenda Z. Guiberson Porcupines by Judith Jango-Cohen Sensory Details: Books to Study Army Ant Parade by April Pulley Sayre Gorillas in the Mist by Dian Fossey Up Your Nose! The Secrets of Schnozes and Snouts by Melissa Stewart Comparisons: Books to […]