Over the past month we studied non-fiction texts and non-fiction text features. The books that are part of the newly adapted student literature series, Mondo, can not be sent home with students. In school students learned that they do not need to read non-fiction books from cover to cover like fiction texts. They can use the Table of Contents and Index to choose what they want to learn about.
• At the front of the book
• Helps us find the part of the book we want to read
Section Headings
• Beginning of new section• Helps us think about the information we will readDifferent kinds of print (bold, italics, underlined, large)• Helps us know this is important!Photographs and Realistic Illustrations• Helps us know exactly what something looks likeDiagrams/Maps • Helps us understand the informationLabels On diagrams, illustrations, photos• Helps us identify a picture or photograph and/or its parts
Captions Near photos, illustrations, diagrams
• Helps us better understand a picture or photograph
Words to Know/Glossary
• Found at the end, usually
• Helps us understand tricky words
Index
• Found at the end
• Helps us find the information we’re looking for by giving the
page numbers
Coming Soon: Author Study
Nancy Carlson
Nancy Carlson is an accomplished children's book author and illustrator
who has published more than 60 books. She is one of the few people who
knew even back in kindergarten what she wanted to do for a living:
"Make pictures and tell stories!"
Nancy is a life-long Minnesotan. Born and raised in Edina, Minnesota,
Nancy had a happy and fulfilling childhood surrounded by an outgoing
family. Her parents read to her and her brother and sister every
night. The comic books she loved to read as a child have influenced
her style of drawing and use of color. Many of Nancy's stories are
taken from her own childhood experiences.
Nancy believes that life should be fun for everyone, but especially
for children. This optimistic message permeates her picture books and
provides a positive counterpoint to much of what children are
influenced by in today's society. Her characters aren't always
perfect. They often have fears, anxieties, and disabilities. Through
her books, kids learn to cope with different challenges. They can
learn that they don't have to be perfect to be a good person. Her
characters also convey positive messages without being "preachy".
They gently remind children what is right.
Writer's Workshop
Students have been hard at work on their Small Moment Personal Narratives. To be published here soon!
Resouses:
