The document discusses using narrative nonfiction to scaffold learning for diverse students. It describes how the presenters - Alyson, Cynthia, and Lisa - each came to recognize the value of nonfiction through their own journeys. They discuss criteria for evaluating nonfiction, different nonfiction formats and writing styles, and strategies for incorporating more nonfiction into classroom instruction across subjects. The presenters aim to help change perceptions of nonfiction and illustrate how it can build students' background knowledge and motivate reading.
1. Narrative Nonfiction As a Door To
Scaffolding Learning For Students
from Diverse Backgrounds
Alyson Beecher, Chair
Cynthia Alaniz, Lisa Morris-Wilkey
National Council of Teachers of English
November 22, 2014
4. Lisa’s Nonfiction Journey
In 2008, I began working as
a K-5 school librarian. While
I was familiar with popular
read-alouds, I was far less
with narrative nonfiction
titles. Time to learn!
5. NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for
Excellence in Nonfiction in Grades K-8
Accuracy of Information
- both text and illustrative material
- appropriate documentation
-avoidance of anthropomorphism
-distinction between fact and theory
-balanced treatment
6. Orbis Pictus Criteria
Organization of Content
- Contribute to clarity & accessibility?
Potential to Enrichment K-8 Curriculum
Style of Writing
-engaging
-distinctive in its use of language
7. Orbis Pictus Criteria
Style of Illustration
-engaging, informative & complements
the text
Book Design
-appropriate based on the topic/subject
-with respect to different age groups
for which topic maybe be appropriate
8. Teacher Reactions to Nonfiction
Reactions we see
from teachers when
we mention
nonfiction.
We want to change
teachers’ perceptions
of nonfiction.
9. Narrative Nonfiction as a Gateway
Can narrative nonfiction
help us crossover to the
world of nonfiction?
12. Defining Nonfiction
● accurate and factual
● based on real people, places, events
● includes biographies, essays, opinions,
articles, memoirs
● concept books, procedural texts,
reference materials
● addresses history, science, the arts
13. Importance of Nonfiction
Nonfiction helps develop background
knowledge (Marzano, 2000)
Has the potential to motivate more reading
as students can read about their interests
(Caswell & Duke, 1998).
14. Importance of Nonfiction
The final argument, and perhaps the most important
one, is that the addition of informational text to
classrooms adds to the possibilities of young children
learning about the world around them - building
content knowledge that can influence their future
sense-making of texts and also build their knowledge
of world. (Maloch and Bomer, 2013)
15. Turn and talk:
“So here is my modest proposition--that
narrative is the deep structure of all good
writing. All good writing.” - Thomas
Newkirk, 2012.
Agree or disagree? Why or why not?
17. Nonfiction Writing Styles- Narrative
Brothers at Bat by Audrey
Vernick (Clarion, 2012)
Purpose:
Reads like a story
18. Nonfiction Writing Styles - Expository
Feathers: Not Just for Flying
by Melissa Stewart
(Charlesbridge, 2013)
Purpose:
Explain
Describe
Inform
19. Nonfiction Writing Styles - Persuasive
Wheels of Change by Sue Macy
(National Geographic, 2011)
Purpose:
Influence or change a
person’s thoughts and
opinions on a topic
20. Nonfiction Writing Structures
Cause & Effect
Problem and Solution
Question and Answer
Compare and Contrast
Description
Sequence or Time Order
Using Examples (Exemplification)
Combination of the Above
28. Use of Nonfiction Writing Styles &
Structure in the Classroom
● Interactive Read Alouds with Nonfiction
● Using Nonfiction as Mentor Text for Writing
● Nonfiction for Building Vocabulary for ELLs
● Teaching Research Skills - Primary & Secondary
Sources
29. Classroom Application
● conferring with readers
● book discussion groups
● projects based on interests:
example: Genius Hour
● scavenger hunts
37. School librarians Supporting Classroom
Teachers
● Bundling books:
Example: The One and Only Ivan with Ivan: The
Remarkable True Story of the Shopping
Mall Gorilla
● Displaying books: Covers out!
38. Librarians supporting teachers
● Offering alternatives to favorites
● Creating “Resource Lists” or pathfinders
● Promoting books via newsletter (Smore)
● Book Talking at faculty meetings
40. Book Gap Challenge: Nonfiction
Is this one of your book gaps?
Have you seen the new nonfiction that is
available? (more engaging and dynamic)
Where do you start?
46. Websites & Blogs
Celebrate Science (Melissa Stewart) - http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/
The Nonfiction Detectives - http://www.nonfictiondetectives.com/
The Uncommon Corps - http://nonfictionandthecommoncore.blogspot.com/
The Classroom Bookshelf - http://www.classroombookshelf.blogspot.com/
Kid Lit Frenzy/Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge -
http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/
Scientists in the Field - http://www.sciencemeetsadventure.com/
There’s a Book For That Blog - http://thereisabookforthat.com/
47. Award Lists for Nonfiction
AAAS/Subaru Prizes for Excellence in Science Books
http://www.sbfonline.com/Subaru/Pages/2014Finalists.aspx
ALA Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/sibertmedal/sibertpast/s
ibertmedalpast
CRA Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award
http://www.californiareads.org/display.asp?p=awards_eureka
48. Award Lists for Nonfiction
Cook Prize for STEM Picture Book
http://bankstreet.edu/center-childrens-literature/cook-prize/
Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices List
http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/books/choices.asp
Cybils Nonfiction for Young Adult
http://www.cybils.com/2013/12/2013-finalists-young-adult-non-fiction.html
Cybils Nonfiction: Elementary & Middle Grade
http://www.cybils.com/2013/12/2013-finalists-middle-grade-non-fiction.html
49. Award Lists for Nonfiction
NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
http://www.ncte.org/awards/orbispictus
NCSS - Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People
http://www.socialstudies.org/notable
NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12
http://www.nsta.org/publications/ostb/
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
http://www.ala.org/yalsa/nonfiction
52. References
Caswell, N.J. and Duke, N.K. (1998) Nonfiction as a catalyst for literacy development. Language
Arts, 75 (108-117).
Goodwin, B. and Miller, K. (2013) Research Says/Nonfiction Promotes Student Success. Educational
Leadership, 70 (80-82)
Maloch, B. and Bomer, R. (2013) Informational Texts and the Common Core State Standards: What
are we talking about, anyway? Language Arts, 90 (205-213).
Moehlman, J. (2013). Helping students navigate nonfiction text: Paving the way toward
understanding. Science Scope, 36(5).
Newkirk, T. (2012). How we really comprehend nonfiction. Educational Leadership, 69(6), 28-32.
Retrieved Nov. 17, 2014 from http://www.ncte.org/standards/ncte-ira
Robb, L. *2002) Multiple texts: multiple opportunities for teaching and learning. Voices from the
Middle. 9(4), 68-73.
53. Contact Us
Cynthia Alaniz, Elementary Teacher-Librarian, Coppell Independent
School District, TX
email: cynalaniz@gmail.com Twitter: @utalaniz
Alyson Beecher, Literacy Specialist, Pasadena Unified School District,
CA
email: beecher.alyson@gmail.com Twitter: @alybee930
Lisa Morris-Wilkey, Librarian, Casa Grande Union High School, AZ
email: lisamorriswilkey@gmail.com Twitter: @LMWArizona
Hinweis der Redaktion
Alyson: Introduction to each presenter. Each of us are passionate readers. We read picture books to young adult, fiction and nonfiction and in all formats. However each of
Alyson: I am thinking about something where we each talk about what led us to show more interest in children’s nonfiction. - My story started in 2010 and then really took off with the 2012 NF Picture Book Challenge.
Reaction as I read from Can We Save the Tiger was incredible! Cynthia
Lisa
LISA Do we want to add a slide and talk about Nonfiction vs. Historical Fiction or checking for errors? Lisa: We can. We can also talk about why it’s important to look at the “best of” lists and award winners … they do the fact-checking for you.
LISA
LISA
LISA
For most Language Arts teachers,it seems that the world of fiction is where we feel most at home. Fiction is typically perceived as being easier to use for Read Alouds. CYNTHIA
CYNTHIA
CYNTHIA
LISA
CYNTHIA
LISA
Turn & Talk - Cynthia
I have toyed around with descriptive and poetry but have come down to really these 3 styles - poetry can go under narrative and descriptive - well narrative and expository if well written are descriptive LISA
LISA
CYNTHIA
CYNTHIA
This online presentation had some information to consider - These text structures come from CCSS - sorry Cynthia but if you want to change them we can. :-) No, that is fine! But what online presentation are you talking about? - Cynthia - It was a link that I added to our google doc here: http://www.syracusecityschools.com/tfiles/folder717/NonfictionHandbookTextStructure.pdf and I remember seeing it in something more official but can’t find it right now - AB
AB
A Boy and A Jaguar AB
AB
Those Rebels John & Tom AB
AB
Thomas Payne or Family Romanov or Just Seconds AB
AB
Just starting a list of ways to use it - then we can flesh it out AB
Cynthia
Cynthia
Cynthia
Lisa
AB
AB
ALYSON: Talk about Perfect Pairs; Pairing nonfiction picture books to fiction novels, Nonfiction in ELA - how does NF work to complement Fiction
CYNTHIA/LISA
CYNTHIA/LISA
Authors discuss journey of research and influences on their writing Cynthia
Aly
Book Talking Titles
Book Talking Titles - I can do more titles and images. - Lisa let me know if you want other books or things swapped out.
Are there other blogs or websites that are super for nonfiction and post regularly? AB
LISA
Lisa
Add NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People www.socialstudies.org/notable?