Monday, April 30, 2012

Nonfiction Matters!

I'll let you in on a little secret about me. I absolutely love teaching nonfiction. I'll let you in on a second secret about me, I didn't really have any feelings towards nonfiction until last year. My action research project for my Masters program revolved solely around the importance of nonfiction in the elementary classroom. After reading gobs and gobs (gobs x 100) of research on nonficion, I quickly grew to love it.

After our Jaguar unit, I wanted to dip into nonfiction a bit. So, guess what? We did. Have you heard of Stephanie Harvey? Most of you probably have, you may even own this book --


Well, I used Harvey's book Nonfiction Matters to develop a little quick review on nonfiction for my kids. Here's an overview of what we did.

Day one: Anchor Chart! Woot woot. I love anchor charts too. We answered the age old question, "Why do we read nonfiction?"According to Harvey, here are some stellar reasons WHY we actually read nonfiction:

Yes, I spelled acquire wrong. Whoops!
Day Two: We tackled those pesky expository text structures. Harvey suggested using an example of "goosebumps" for each text structure. As a class, we created a foldable and labeled each type of text structure. Then, inside the flap, students wrote down and illustrated an example of the text structure with goosebumps. Make sense? Not quite? Okay, let me back up.


For example, one expository text structure is cause and effect. We wrote the follow example:
"The temperature dropped to 45 degrees. I got goosebumps." This is an example of cause and effect. Harvey lists an example of each structure relating it back to goosebumps. It was an excellent illustration of the different ways nonfiction can be written.

NEXT time, I would like to start the year off with this activity. First, we can identify WHY we read nonfiction and the various text structures. Then, the next day, compare reading nonfiction to fiction! We can answer the question of why we read fiction and compare how fiction stories are set up much differently. I'm getting all tingly on the inside just thinking about it. Stop me before I get too nerdy.

Sounds like I've got a week planned for the fall!

What exciting nonfiction lessons do you do with your kiddos?

21 comments:

  1. I am seriously obsessed with Stephanie Harvey. I have read and LOVE everything she has done. One of my favorite quick activities from this book is the non-fiction postcard. ~Amanda The Teaching Thief

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Jordon:

    This post inspired me to completely change the beginning of my first literacy unit!

    And then I re-read the Jaguar stuff and got even more motivated!

    I love the possibilities of "do-overs" in teaching... that's why September has always been my favorite month.

    Thanks for the insight!

    Kim
    Finding JOY in 6th Grade

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your foldable is a clever idea! My students are never excited about expository text lectures. I'm certain THIS project would engage them. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the foldable too :) What was your example (with goosebumps) for question & answer and compare & contrast?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Marshal "Wait for it" EricksonSeptember 20, 2012 at 2:36 PM

    you know where I can find a good book on bass or trouts? in Fishin or Non-Fishin

    ReplyDelete
  6. I just received a free copy of that book last week. I don't really have a lot of extra time to dive into a book right now, but your post makes me want to crack it open right away. Thanks for sharing this activity. My students always struggle with nonfiction text so I know I need to do a better job ay teaching it. I will definitely be using a similar activity. Thanks for sharing.

    Katrina
    Teacherofscholars.blogspot.com

    P.S. I'm a new follower.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the foldable idea. That format could literally be used for anything! I have been focusing on narrative non-fiction and having students provide evidence for their claims for common core.

    Andrea Burgwin
    classroomconfessional.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Here is the goosebumps information that I typed up.


    Cause/Effect: Goose bumps make me shiver. When the temperature drops below 45 degrees, my skin crinkles into goose bumps.

    Problem/Solution: Goose bumps make me shiver, but they disappear as soon as I cover up with a jacket.

    Question/Answer: What happens to people when they shiver? They get goose bumps.

    Compare/Contrast: Some people get goose bumps from fear. Others get goose bumps when they are touched emotionally.

    Description: Goose bumps make me shiver. I get little bumps on my skin. They look like sesame seeds.

    Sequence: Goose bumps make me shiver. First I get cold. Then I shake all over.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Do you teach writing as well?

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is such a great idea, I'm going to do this as part of Test Prep. Thanks for sharing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sunderland Menang 3-0 di Kandang Newcastle

    Berita terbaru dan terkini Bola Soccer dari Agen Bola Indo11 – Newcastle - Sunderland memenangi laga Tyne-Wear Derby kontra Newcastle United. Ketika 90 menit laga di St James' Park tuntas, The Black Cats menang tiga gol tanpa balas.

    Pada laga pekan ke-24 Premier League, Sabtu (1/2/2014) malam WIB, Sunderland mendapat gol pertamanya di menit 19 melalui penalti Fabio Borini menyusul pelanggaran Vurnon Anita kepada Phil Bardsley.

    Agen Bola Indo11 Terpercaya – Di menit 23 Adam Johnson menggandakan keunggulan setelah menyontek bolarebound hasil sepakan Jack Colback yang ditepis Tim Krul.

    Keunggulan 2-0 bertahan hingga babak pertama usai dan Sunderland baru bisa menambah gol lagi di menit 80. Kali ini Colback mencatatkan namanya di papan skor usai menuntaskan serangan balik cepat lewat sepakan keras ke pojok atas gawang.

    Di laga itu sebenarnya Newcastle tampil dominan dengan 28 tembakan yang mana 10 on goal, sementara Sunderland punya 16 dengan lima on goal.

    Sumber http:// indo11.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Luiz Felipe Scolari: Spanish press trying to make Neymar less successful


    Agen Bola terpercaya indo11.com reported, Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari claimed on Monday the Spanish press is orchestrating a campaign to try and destabilise Barcelona's Brazilian star Neymar ahead of this year's World Cup finals

    Scolari said stories about 22-year-old Neymar's diving to obtain penalties and controversy over his transfer last summer from Santos were all aimed at putting him off his game as Brazil prepared to host the global football showpiece in June. as reported by Agen Bola terpercaya indo11.com.
    He added: "Neymar's case is really simple, only those who close their eyes can't see it clearly for what it is. Neymar is often criticised by the Spanish press because it has a vested interest that he is not at his best at the World Cup. as reported by Agen Bola terpercaya indo11.com.

    "We know that he is good, that he is a star. He was the decisive factor in Barcelona's games against both Real Madrid and Espanyol. He unlocks a game. If he is considered the best player in the world it is because he deserves the accolade because he plays very well."
    Source http://indo11.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Martin shows his disappointment towards Adams

    Agen Bola terpercaya indo11.com reported, Norwich City captain Russell Martin insists the club's players are "fully behind" new manager Neil Adams. Chris Hughton was sacked by Norwich on Sunday in the wake of a disappointing home defeat to West Brom.
    Martin is keen to look forward with a crucial clash against fellow strugglers Fulham taking place on Saturday. Martin said: "There's always a tinge of disappointment when a manager is relieved of his duties because ultimately it means we haven't performed enough for them" as reported by Agen Bola terpercaya indo11.com.
    He added: "But we're now fully behind Neil Adams. It's an exciting appointment for the club. We're looking forward to it and getting right behind him as we go into a big game on Saturday and looking to win the game. as reported by Agen Bola terpercaya indo11.com.
    "As players you have to move on quickly, whether you win, lose or draw. We're all looking forward to Saturday - in effect it's probably one of the biggest games in the career of some of the lads in there.’’
    Source http://indo11.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sherwood not sure of his club’s future

    Agen Bola terpercaya indo11.com reported, A defiant Tim Sherwood admitted he was in the dark regarding his future after overseeing Tottenham's 5-1 demolition of Sunderland.
    Sherwood was again left to fend off more questions about his future after the game, stating that he had been given no assurances that he will still be in the job at the start of the 2014-15 campaign. as reported by Agen Bola terpercaya indo11.com.
    He said: "I'd rather talk about the game (than his future). I can't comment on anything about my employment, you'd have to ask my employers. My record has been very good, my record is second to none in the Premier League compared to any other manager that has been here." as reported by Agen Bola terpercaya indo11.com.
    He added: "There was never any pressure to get into the Champions League. I'm doing my best every game to get this team high up the league and I’ll do that until the end. We've got five games left and I think we can win all five."
    Source http://indo11.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Speculation does not affect Sherwood’s job

    Agen Bola terpercaya indo11.com reported, Tim Sherwood said speculation about his future as Tottenham manager has not affected his focus on helping the club finish the season strongly. He replaced Andre Villas-Boas in December.
    Following the victory over Sunderland, Sherwood said: "[The speculation] doesn't affect me. I'm going to focus on getting the best out of the players in the final games. Nothing has changed. I have had the chat about next season, players I have identified and pre-season" as reported by Agen Bola terpercaya indo11.com.
    He added: "It was a good end to a day where we needed to win the game. We came here and we knew we had to respond to the [4-0 defeat] against Liverpool, and we did that today. as reported by Agen Bola terpercaya indo11.com.
    "After giving them a goal - we're making a habit of this and we have to stop it - I thought we controlled the game from start to finish. We created 29 attempts to score a goal - it was the most dominant football match you're ever going to see."
    Source http://indo11.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Charlotte Bobcats meraih satu tempat di Playoff

    Berita terbaru dan terkini bola Soccer dari Agen Bola Indo11 - Charlotte Bobcats dipaksa bekerja keras untuk mengalahkan Cleveland Cavaliers hingga overtime. Kemenangan itu sekaligus memberi Bobcats satu tiket ke babak playoff.

    Agen Bola Indo11 Terpercaya - Dalam pertandingan di Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Minggu (6/4/2014) WIB, Bobcats harus melewatibabak overtime sebelum menang 96-94 atas Cavaliers. Ini adalah kemenangan keempat yang dicatat secara beruntun oleh tim arahan Steve Clifford itu.

    Kemenangan ini mengantar Bobcats lolos ke babak playoff untuk pertama kalinya sejak 2010. Mereka kini menempati posisi ketujuh klasemen Wilayah Timur.

    "Ini adalah prestasi signifikan untuk tim kami, dan pencapaian ini menempatkan kami di tempat yang berbeda di liga. Anak-anak di ruang ganti sangat bersemangat dan sudah seharusnya seperti itu karena kami punya tim yang bagus dan kelompok yang berisi orang-orang yang layak mendapatkannya." jelas Clifford.

    Sementara itu, kekalahan ini membuat asa Cavaliers untuk lolos ke playoff makin menipis. Cavaliers masih tertinggal 3 1/2 gim dari Atlanta Hawks yang ada di peringkat delapan untuk satu tempat terakhir di babak playoff dari Wilayah Timur.

    Sumber http://indo11.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Chelsea tidak salah beli Mohammed Salah

    Berita terbaru dan terkini bola Soccer dari Agen Bola Indo11 - Manajer Chelsea Jose Mourinho benar-benar mensyukuri keputusan klubnya untuk membeli Mohamed Salah. Seiring berjalannya waktu, Mourinho makin yakin Salah akan menjadi pemain penting untuk The Blues.

    Agen Bola Indo11 Terpercaya - Salah mendarat di Stamford Bridge pada bulan Januari silam. Winger berkebangsaan Mesir itu didatangkan dari klub Swiss, Basel. Sejak pindah ke Chelsea, Salah yang kini berusia 21 tahun terhitung sangat jarang bermain.

    Satu-satunya laga di mana Salah menjadi starter bersama Chelsea adalah ketika klub London Barat itu mengalahkan Stoke City 3-0, Sabtu (5/4/2014). Salah bermain penuh pada laga tersebut dan mencetak gol pembuka untuk timnya.

    "Saya pikir Chelsea bekerja dengan sangat baik. Kami menjual seorang pemain hebat (Juan Mata) ... sebuah produk jadi yang berada dalam momen terbaik dalam kariernya. Kami membeli seorang bocah dari habitat yang berbeda, seorang pemain Mesir yang bermain di Swiss," ujar Mourinho.

    "Kami tahu dia butuh waktu. Kami tahu musim depan dia akan menjadi seorang pemain untuk kami. Musim ini, selangkah demi selangkah, dia bermain 10 menit di sini dan di sana. Dia adalah tipe pemain yang kami butuhkan karena kami punya winger-winger yang lebih suka bermain dengan bola di kaki mereka. Dia adalah tipe pemain yang melakukan hal tersebut ke dalam ruang kosong." lanjutnya.

    "Chelsea bekerja dengan sangat baik karena telah mendatangkannya. Musim depan dia, Eden (Hazard), Willian, dan Oscar, akan punya lebih banyak kekuatan dan pengalaman. Mereka memiliki masa depan yang bagus," tutupnya.
    Sumber http://indo11.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Courtois mengaku berat melawan Villarreal

    Berita terbaru dan terkini bola Soccer dari Agen Bola Indo11 - Atletico Madrid memetik kememenangan saat berhadapan dengan Villarreal di lanjutan La Liga. Kendati menuai tiga angka, raihan itu didapat dengan usaha yang cukup berat.

    Agen Bola Indo11 Terpercaya - Saat melakoni pertandingan di Vicente Calderon, Sabtu (5/4/2014) malam WIB, Los Colchoneros memetik kemenangan dengan skor akhir 1-0. Gol tunggal dari Raul Garcia menjadi penentunya.

    Soal laga melawan 'Kapal Selam Kuning', kiper Atletico Thibaut Courtois mengakuinya sebagai pertandingan yang berat. Apalagi, tenaga mereka terkuras untuk pertandingan melawan Barcelona di perempatfinal Liga Champions yang berlangsung tengah pekan.

    "Itu merupakan pertandingan yang sangat berat. Kami bisa membuka keunggulan, tapi setelah itu kamu mulai merasa kelelahan. Saya tak berpikir bahwa kami mulai kehabisan bahan bakar, tapi laga terakhir di hari Selasa merupakan pertandingan berat dan itu menguras cukup tenanga dan kami menyadari itu hari ini," imbuhnya.
    Sumber http://indo11.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. OMG,, you are simply the BEST!!! I'm obsessed with your blogs!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hello!

    I was scouring for an idea to re-teach and strengthen my kids understanding of Expository examples and this is it! THANK YOU!

    Amber
    PeppyZestyTeacherista

    ReplyDelete

Add This

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...