“The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who'll get me a book I ain't read.” Abraham Lincoln
Most of the reading my students will do for the rest of their lives falls in the non-fiction genre. My goal is to update my non-fiction collection to include more high-interest materials.
I have 6th and 7th graders that I teach throughout the year.
We are located in a middle school in Minnesota. Our grade configuration (6th-8th) is in its second year (previously we were 7th-9th), so we are still adapting and organizing materials to meet our students' needs. My students range in ability and in their natural love of reading. However, they all love having new books in the classroom and hearing new recommendations for books. I have noticed that when given time to choose independent reading books from the school library, that they often choose non-fiction books. Any new non-fiction book I recommend is instantly checked out!
My Project
I utilize a Reading and Writing Workshop model in my classroom. In mini-lessons, grade-level texts are used, and in small group settings or literature circles, I use texts at the students' levels. In both of these settings, I really want to increase the usage of non-fiction text. The text patterns of organization are different from fiction. This is a deficiency for my students, as it is for the majority of middle level students. The texts I have chosen on my list all exemplify different types of patterns of organization. These texts are also exciting, curriculuar, and sometimes "gross!" The kids love the "EWW!" factor! Two of the authors, Mawi Asgedom and Glenn Murphy, are midwestern residents. A lot of front-loading could be done with author history. I am certain that my students will engage in these texts, be able to identify patterns of organization, apply their reading strategies, and display higher-level thinking and analysis after completing these texts with instruction.
Our district graciously committed money towards the beginning of a book room when we made the transition from a junior high to a middle school in 2009.
However, as I get to know my students and our new Language Arts framework, I see the need for more high-interest non-fiction. The students love it, and what better way to teach than to use engaging texts? Not only will student engagement sky rocket, but achievement (in all forms of assessment) will certainly show growth, too.
Poop Happened!: A History of the World from the Bottom Up Sarah Albee, Robert Leighton (Illustrator)
• AKJ BOOKS
$10.93
8
$87.44
Of Beetles and Angels Mawi Asgedom, Dave Berger, Mawi, Dave Berger (Editor)
• AKJ BOOKS
$8.54
12
$102.48
Why Is Snot Green? Glenn Murphy
• AKJ BOOKS
$8.50
8
$68.00
You Wouldn't Want to Live in Pompeii!: A Volcanic Eruption You'd Rather Avoid John Malam, David Antram (Illustrator), Created by David Salariya
• AKJ BOOKS
$8.50
8
$68.00
Mystery on Everest: A Photobiography of George Mallory Audrey Salkeld, Foreword by Conrad Anker
• AKJ BOOKS
$15.34
8
$122.72
Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith Deborah Heiligman
• AKJ BOOKS
$12.95
8
$103.60
Materials cost
$552.24
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FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$8.28
Fulfillment labor & materials
$35.00
Total project cost
$595.52
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$105.09
Total project goal
$700.61
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$700.61
30 Donors
-$695.32
Donations toward project cost
-$595.52
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