It’s Time for the Sibert Smackdown!
The Sibert Smackdown is an activity intended to build enthusiasm for the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, which is given each year as part of the American Library Association’s annual Youth Media Awards. It focuses on picture books because they are more manageable to read in a school setting. Here’s how it works. Students in […]
Reading Nonfiction Aloud: Encouraging Student Responses
I talk to lots of educators who are interested in sharing more nonfiction read alouds with their students, but they have some concerns. Here are the three main questions they ask: 1. How do I locate appropriate nonfiction titles? 2. How do I read nonfiction aloud in a way that engages students? 3. How do […]
Reading Nonfiction Aloud: Tips and Tricks
I talk to lots of educators who are interested in sharing more nonfiction read alouds with their students, but they have some concerns. Here are the three main questions they ask: 1. How do I locate appropriate nonfiction titles? 2. How do I read nonfiction aloud in a way that engages students? 3. How do […]
Reading Nonfiction Aloud: Locating Appropriate Books
As teachers and librarians become increasingly aware of research showing that many students prefer nonfiction, they are searching for ways to integrate it into their lesson plans. One great option is read alouds. Since studies reveal that 42 percent of students prefer expository nonfiction and, overall, students choose nonfiction for pleasure reading about 40 percent […]
Behind the Books: Circle Text Structure
Most schools are currently teaching students that there are five nonfiction text structures—description, sequence, compare and contrast, cause and effect, problem and solution. But the truth is that these options are just the tip of the iceberg. There are many, many possibilities, and one of the biggest challenges a nonfiction writer faces is choosing the […]
Underdogs in the Classroom!
Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs has now spent 6 days in the world, and so far, it’s been getting terrific feedback from kids and adults. Because the book can enhance science lessons and also works well as a gentle lead in for discussions about accepting others and celebrating differences, it’s a great addition […]
40 STEM Summer Reads to Encourage Outdoor Exploration
It’s not quite summer vacation here in Massachusetts, but I know that many kids across the country are already done with school for the year. Here are some great books that they might enjoy reading over the next couple of months. Bird Talk: What Birds Are Saying and Why by Lita Judge Beneath the Sun by […]
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 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 […]
Sibert Smackdown Wrap Up
Yesterday at 10:00 a.m. EST I was glued to my computer to watch the live stream of the ALA Youth Media Awards. Were you? Most people were excited to find out who won the Caldecott and Newbery Awards, but I was looking forward to the Sibert announcement, and I wasn’t alone. This year a growing […]