LSSL 5385- Chapter 12 Summary and Reflection

Non-fiction is a very popular genre and covers many topics and types of books. We evaluate nonfiction differently than other genres. Non-fiction includes biographies, autobiographies, expository text, narratives, memoirs, and others. The credibility of the author is very important.  Since non-fiction contains informational text, it is key to evaluate the author's research for quality of information. Reviewing the bibliographic information and the acknowledgements will help you to evaluate the author's content. When questioning students about nonfiction text, it will look different than questions about fiction. Are their visuals to support their understanding?  What is the purpose of the book and for their reading? Fiction includes characters, a plot, and a resolution to a problem. In order to support student understanding, as educators, we need to make sure that students understand the text in a deeper way.

One of my favorite books is What if I Had Animal Teeth! I love that these books provide a mixture of non-fiction and fiction text. I always use this series when discussing the differences between the two genres. These dual formats are becoming more popular every year. Non-fiction itself is always an easy choice for most kids. I have noticed that they get caught up with the pictures and don't evaluate the text as much as they do with the fiction. This is where the questioning helps ensure that the students can truly understand what they are reading.

Checking if the information is factually accurate it also important. You can fact check by cross referencing information found in the books. It should also reflect a balanced view. I feel like these days, it is important to consider the author's purpose when writing the book. Bias can affect the credibility of the text. I think that is an extremely important skill to teach when evaluating resources.

It is also important to note that the book should be user friendly. To assess this, look at the text features that are available. A glossary, index, and table contents will help the students navigate through the text. Text features are always a huge lesson in fourth grade. We look through each one and discuss how they help the reader. When the students read non-fiction, I have them identify text features to facilitate their learning. Pictures, illustrations, and graphics add a lot to students' understanding. They add a visual component that helps the reader see the content. It is important to evaluate these for relevance and quality. Are they student friendly? All of these features can either add to the students' learning or take away from it.

Just like when you are considering your library selection, purpose is important. Do the books support your curriculum? Are you needing an overview or are you looking more topic specific? All of these questions will be the same ones you use to guide students through their research. Kids really do struggle with research. A lot of time is needed to teach them how to effectively conduct research. Evaluating the sources and their purpose will ensure better results for the student.

In our library, I have noticed more kids looking for non-fiction than fiction. On that note, it can be a struggle to help guide students to the right book. This genre allows readers to see things they might not normally have the opportunity to see. Using the guiding questions will allow you to develop a purposeful collection that will benefit all readers. The guiding questions in the textbook will help you to match the students to the right book.