Celebrate Nonfiction

Exploring the Joy of Nonfiction Reading and Writing

Having Fun with Common Core: No Changes Necessary

 
Today we are going to look at two books by April Pulley Sayre. Both can be
performed as Readers Theater-style group reading activities with few or no
changes. And in the process, students can learn science concepts as well as
address CCSS for ELA in the Reading Informational Text #4. Add a discussion of
the main topics and supporting ideas of these books, and students can also
satisfy CCSS for ELA in the Reading Informational Text #1 and 2.

The poetic text of Vulture View (Holt) makes it ideal for reading
aloud, and it’s easy to get your whole class involved. Here’s a short sample
from the beginning of the book:

The sun is rising.
Up, up.
It heats the air.
Up, up.
Wings stretch wide
to catch a ride
on warming air.
Going where?
Up, up.

During the very first reading, invite students
to participate in the repeated phrases “up, up” and later “No, no” and “Down,
down.” During subsequent readings, individuals students can take turns reading
the non-repetitive lines and the whole class can continue to participate as a
chorus for the repeated phrases. The result will be lovely, teaching students
by example the qualities of beautiful language. And, of course, in the process,
they will also learn about the lifestyle and feeding habits of an intriguing
scavenger.

Bird, Bird, Bird: A Chirping Chant (NorthWord) is a
energetic, romping compilation of sixty-three North American birds. Here’s a
brief excerpt:

Puffin, pelican, roadrunner, rail.

Barn swallow, tree swallow, quail, quail,
quail.

Bluebird, blackbird, bobwhite, brant.
Oystercatcher. Ovenbird, cormorant.

The fun, silly, tongue-twisting verse begs to
be read aloud, and students will love competing to see who can read the text
fastest and with the most precision. This activity works well when students
pair up. It can be a whole-class activity when specific sections are assigned
to individuals or pairs of students.

After students have mastered the
chant, they can turn to the back of the book to learn more about each bird.
Encourage students to find out which species live in your area and watch for
them during the appropriate times of year.

If Bird, Bird, Bird: A Chirping Chant
appeals to you, check out some of the author’s other chant books. They include Go, Go, Grapes: A Fruit Chant and Rah, Rah, Radishes: A Vegetable Chant.

top 25 nonfiction blog award
Return to Blog Archive

Most Popular Posts

Topics
top 25 nonfiction blog award
Return to Blog Archive

Most Popular Posts

Topics

© 2001–[current-year] Melissa Stewart. All rights reserved. All materials on this site may be copied for classroom or library use but may not be reprinted or resold for commercial purposes. This website is COPPA compliant. If you are a child under age 13 and wish to contact Melissa Stewart, please use the email address of a teacher, librarian, or parent with that adult’s permission. Webhost Privacy Policy.