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 of the time, I’d suggest choosing a nonfiction book as a read aloud
about 40 percent of the time. If you’re doing #classroombookaday, that means
selecting a nonfiction title—preferably an expository nonfiction title—twice a
week.
expository nonfiction and, overall, students choose nonfiction for pleasure reading about
40 percent of the time, I’d suggest choosing a nonfiction book as a read aloud
about 40 percent of the time. If you’re doing #classroombookaday, that means
selecting a nonfiction title—preferably an expository nonfiction title—twice a
week.
This goal may sound good in theory, but is it realistic? Is
it sustainable?
it sustainable?
I talk to a lot of teachers who are hesitant to read nonfiction aloud. They
ask me the same three questions over and over:
ask me the same three questions over and over:
1.
How do I locate appropriate nonfiction titles?
How do I locate appropriate nonfiction titles?
2.
How do I read nonfiction aloud in a way that engages
students?
How do I read nonfiction aloud in a way that engages
students?
3.
How do I encourage and facilitate student responses to a
nonfiction read aloud?
How do I encourage and facilitate student responses to a
nonfiction read aloud?
Over the next few weeks, I’m going to provide some advice
that should help.
that should help.
If you scroll down to last Friday’s post, you’ll find a list
of 25 great expository nonfiction titles that I highly recommend as read
alouds.
of 25 great expository nonfiction titles that I highly recommend as read
alouds.
As you search for more books on your own in the future,
it’s important to think about how students will respond. For starters, look for books that
will engage young listeners right away.
it’s important to think about how students will respond. For starters, look for books that
will engage young listeners right away.
For example, An Egg Is Quiet by Dianna Hutts Aston and Trout Are Made of Trees by April Pulley Sayre have provocative titles that will immediately spark
curiosity.
curiosity.
Next, read the beginnings of books to see
if they will hook your audience and make them want to hear more.
if they will hook your audience and make them want to hear more.
For example,
here’s the first line of Birds of a Feather:
Bowerbirds and Me by
Susan L. Roth:
here’s the first line of Birds of a Feather:
Bowerbirds and Me by
Susan L. Roth:
“The differences between a bowerbird and me are fewer than
you might expect.”
you might expect.”
And here’s how Pipsqueaks,
Slowpokes, and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs by Melissa Stewart begins:
Slowpokes, and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs by Melissa Stewart begins:
“Everyone loves
elephants. They’re so big and strong.
elephants. They’re so big and strong.
Everyone
respects cheetahs. They’re so fast and fierce.
respects cheetahs. They’re so fast and fierce.
But
this book isn’t about them. It’s about the unsung underdogs of the animal
world. Don’t you think it’s time someone paid attention to them?”
this book isn’t about them. It’s about the unsung underdogs of the animal
world. Don’t you think it’s time someone paid attention to them?”
Who could possibly resist openings like thse?
As you preview potential titles, look for books that aren’t
loaded with academic vocabulary. If more than 10 percent of the words are
unfamiliar to you students, it’s probably not a good choice for reading aloud.
loaded with academic vocabulary. If more than 10 percent of the words are
unfamiliar to you students, it’s probably not a good choice for reading aloud.
I hope these suggestions help you with the first question
above. Next Wednesday, I’ll address the second question.
above. Next Wednesday, I’ll address the second question.
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2 Responses
I'm looking forward to this series of nonfiction book talks… great tips on reading aloud. Thanks.
Hear hear & hooray for expository NF!!