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

In 2010, I realized that I needed to learn

more about children’s nonfiction.

Alyson’s Nonfiction Journey

Cynthia’s Nonfiction Journey

In 2011, as a 4th grade teacher, I began to

search for more quality nonfiction.

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!

Lisa’s Nonfiction Journey

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

Organization of Content

- Contribute to clarity & accessibility?

Potential to Enrichment K-8 Curriculum

Style of Writing

-engaging

-distinctive in its use of language

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

Orbis Pictus Criteria

Reactions we see

from teachers when

we mention

nonfiction.

We want to change

teachers’ perceptions

of nonfiction.

Teacher Reactions to Nonfiction

Can narrative nonfiction

help us crossover to the

world of nonfiction?

Narrative Nonfiction as a Gateway

Nonfiction Formats

Short Form - Picture Books

Long Form - Full Length Books

Narrative or Literary Nonfiction

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

Nonfiction helps develop background

knowledge (Marzano, 2000)

Has the potential to motivate more reading

as students can read about their interests

(Caswell & Duke, 1998).

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)

Importance of Nonfiction

“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?

Turn and talk:

Narrative

Expository

Persuasive

Understanding Nonfiction Writing

Styles

Nonfiction Writing Styles- Narrative

Brothers at Bat by Audrey

Vernick (Clarion, 2012) Purpose:

Reads like a story

Feathers: Not Just for Flying

by Melissa Stewart

(Charlesbridge, 2013)

Nonfiction Writing Styles - Expository

Purpose:

Explain

Describe

Inform

Wheels of Change by Sue Macy

(National Geographic, 2011)

Nonfiction Writing Styles - Persuasive

Purpose:

Influence or change a

person’s thoughts and

opinions on a topic

Nonfiction Writing StructuresCause & Effect

Problem and Solution

Question and Answer

Compare and Contrast

Description

Sequence or Time Order

Using Examples (Exemplification)

Combination of the Above

Structure Communicates Meaning

Cause and Effect

Problem and Solution

Structure Communicates Meaning

Question and Answer

Structure Communicates Meaning

Compare and Contrast

Structure Communicates Meaning

Description

Structure Communicates Meaning

Sequence or Time

Order

Structure Communicates Meaning

Using Examples

Structure Communicates Meaning

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

Classroom Application

● conferring with readers

● book discussion groups

● projects based on interests:

example: Genius Hour

● scavenger hunts

Using Nonfiction Across the Curriculum

scienceart

history

social

studies

math

music

Classroom Application: Art

Classroom Application: Science

Classroom Application: History/Social

Studies

Classroom Application: Math

Classroom Application: Music & Dance

Pairing Nonfiction With Fiction

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!

● Offering alternatives to favorites

● Creating “Resource Lists” or pathfinders

● Promoting books via newsletter (Smore)

● Book Talking at faculty meetings

Librarians supporting teachers

Connecting Students with Authors

Skype AND/OR author

visits:

● Author visit with Phil

Bildner

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?

Nonfiction

Picture

Book

Biographies

More Nonfiction

Picture Book

Biographies

Short Form Nonfiction

Scientist in

the Field

Series

Long Form Nonfiction

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/

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

•

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

Award Lists for Nonfiction

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

Questions & Answers

Presentation Online

http://slidesha.re/1zM0NFg

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.

References

Contact UsCynthia 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