Jacque Schawe Information books Chapter 12 Due November 16, 2008 jacques This chapter on information books I thought was well worth reading. I think that all children like to read about anything that they can obtain knowledge about. Children have a great deal of curiosity everyday and like to experience new and exciting things as the author pointed out. It is very important that children learn how to develop critical thinking skills. If children do this it improves their vocabulary and reading skills as mentioned in this chapter. The author does mention a few things that you have to watch about information book as accuracy, stereotypes, illustrations; organization of the book plays a part as well. I have students in my MR special needs room that I long term substitute that like to read information books on dinosaurs, plants, and animals. These students are fascinated with the information as well as the illustrations as well. My students also have learned how to read cookbooks and be able to tell me the ingredients of how to make a recipe. I am a nut over this information books because I like to sew and make crafts as well. If I didn’t have these books to tell me how to do it the projects would not come out right.
Information books are my favorite type of books to read. As a kid I loved books on insects, sharks, and dinosaurs. I feel that these books can help kids have access to information that most of them will never get real life experience with. They also prevoke critical thinking and can lead to career decisions otherwise unthought of.
Jacques, I agree that the information books that your students enjoyed are very valuable to have, because these were the only books that I would want to read in school.
Non-fiction has never been my favorite to read, biographies or information books. I have found though, if you want to reach elementary age boys, you need to have a good supply of animal, insect, and dinosaur books.
Biographies are very important for young readers. These can provide an insight into history and the lives of famous people. I enjoyed the section on Biographies in picture book format and the teaching with non-fiction. That section gave lots of good teaching ideas.
Ember, Boy am I with you on not caring for the informational books. I do like biographies, however there are books on different types of bats, spiders and snakes that I would be very happy to never see again, but the kids do seem to really like them. I just have just one word to describe these books - EEEEoooooooo!!
I think the inclusion of informational literature is important in the classroom. It provides an opportunity for students to learn about subjects that interest them, at their own pace. I think that giving students the freedom to choose helps them stay excited about literature and learning. However, the literature provided should be reviewed by teachers and/or parents first – this chapter provided many good guidelines to follow regarding accurate information, avoiding stereotypes, etc. As a student, I remember first becoming interested in nature and history through the books I read in school. I really think this type of literature helps children discover their passion… whether it’s science or animals… and helping to encourage those discoveries is one of my goals as a teacher.
Jacque - I thought it was interesting that your students read and are interested in cookbooks... I would have never thought of that as a topic! That just shows that there are so many different subjects for students, and really it's up to them to decide what intrigues them most.
This chapter is simply about non-fiction subject books. The chapter indicates that these types of books are the most popular in schools and libraries. Probably because students have to do a research project of some type. There are certain criteria that informational books have to meet and that is: all the facts have to be accurate, no stereotypes, illustrations should clarify text, and the style should stimulate interest. I think it is especially important for young students to be able to be interested in these types of books and not look at it as work or boreing. If children stay interested in what they are reading than they will probably be able to remember the information they read and will be able to write about it if they have to. Illustrations are definatley important for young ones when they are reading. It might be hard for them to imagine how things look without pictures. I remember when I was young, I loved reading about mummies. I think because of the photos I saw. I knew the photos were real and it captured my interest.
I totally agree that students should be able to choose the topic they want to research. If they are forced to write about something they're not interested in, it might not do them any good because they might not remember what they read or do a good job with their project.
Interestingly enough, although I have a real interest in nonfiction, informative books were never one of my favorite. There have been a few times I looked at these types of books growing up but it was basically to look at the pictures. I was much more interested in seeing the real thing in museums and such. Children do love to look at various topics they find interesting, but I wonder if a lot of the interest is satisfied by just the pictures.
Informational books are important in todays classrooms where due to standardized testing social studies and science tend to be put to the side. You can read these types of books for literature and reading purposes yet still get important social study and science information across. I have also noticed that boys tend to be more likely to bring these types of books home. My son brough home a book about dinasaurs home and until now I could not figure out for the life of me why.
Informational books can be very difficult to read because often the authors are too analytical. It can be confusing when dealing with fact after fact. However, a well-written informational book can teach the reader a great deal. Simple books that explain things that children are interested in can be fascinating and I sometimes read these when my kids come home and learn something new.
Ember, you are stereotyping boys but I guess you are right, only boys want to read about snakes, spiders, and other nasty little items but I guess that is part of our charm! Boys do seem to be the target of many informational books but I think there is a female influence behind it. As everyone knows, men do not read directions until we make several mistakes and our wives tell us to refer to the directions!
Biographies are a great teaching tool in that we can see into someone’s life with little research, thanks to the author. It was interesting to read that biographies in the past have been written so that children want to look up to the person where as now authors are trying to see all sides of the person’s story, making the person much more real. As prospective teachers we should consider when the biography was written and in what context is the person portrayed. Informational books lend themselves to less of this concern while we are choosing to use them in the classroom. They are less apt to have a slant to them. There context and content should be accurate and stereotypes should not be proficient. Using both in our classes will be beneficial for student understanding, but we should be cautious about what material we present.
” I really think this type of literature helps children discover their passion… whether it’s science or animals… and helping to encourage those discoveries is one of my goals as a teacher.”
Sarah, I am with you on this all the way! In my opinion, helping students to find their passion is certainly imperative to teaching. I also found it helpful that the guidelines/evaluations in this chapter, and the others, are invaluable to us as we begin our careers.
"JosephC said... Ember, you are stereotyping boys but I guess you are right, only boys want to read about snakes, spiders, and other nasty little items but I guess that is part of our charm! Boys do seem to be the target of many informational books but I think there is a female influence behind it. As everyone knows, men do not read directions until we make several mistakes and our wives tell us to refer to the directions!"
In reply to Joseph C. I didn't mean to imply that boys ONLY like to read that kind or that boys are the ONLY kids to enjoy it. I just have seen from my experience that boys seem to enjoy reading those kinds of books more than other kinds.
Informational books encourage children to learn something factual and enjoy it at the same time. They really help in allowing students to figure out that learning can be something they can do out of enjoyment and to their own discretion. I really like informational books as a child. I loved learning, too. My favorites were about cultures and their histories. I also like space and astronomy books. I alos was an odd child in that I liked to read field guides. I still like them!
I really enjoyed this Chapter on Informational Books. I have found that most children really get into these books--especially when you looking at animals and how to books. They even tend to get those readers that are harder to engage in reading, reading books more and more. They definitely have their place in Children's Literature. The text does point out how to be cautious and make sure the books the children are reading are accurate and depict their subject accurately. So much to think about!
I agree that children really to learn that learning can be fun from exposure to Informational Books.
I honestly do not remember reading a ton of informational books as a child--I was more into realistic fiction--but I can see its place in the classroom. They seem to catch the attention of a wide variety of students for sure!
19 comments:
Jacque Schawe
Information books
Chapter 12
Due November 16, 2008
jacques
This chapter on information books I thought was well worth reading. I think that all children like to read about anything that they can obtain knowledge about. Children have a great deal of curiosity everyday and like to experience new and exciting things as the author pointed out. It is very important that children learn how to develop critical thinking skills. If children do this it improves their vocabulary and reading skills as mentioned in this chapter. The author does mention a few things that you have to watch about information book as accuracy, stereotypes, illustrations; organization of the book plays a part as well. I have students in my MR special needs room that I long term substitute that like to read information books on dinosaurs, plants, and animals. These students are fascinated with the information as well as the illustrations as well. My students also have learned how to read cookbooks and be able to tell me the ingredients of how to make a recipe. I am a nut over this information books because I like to sew and make crafts as well. If I didn’t have these books to tell me how to do it the projects would not come out right.
Information books are my favorite type of books to read. As a kid I loved books on insects, sharks, and dinosaurs. I feel that these books can help kids have access to information that most of them will never get real life experience with. They also prevoke critical thinking and can lead to career decisions otherwise unthought of.
Jacques, I agree that the information books that your students enjoyed are very valuable to have, because these were the only books that I would want to read in school.
Chapter 12: Biographies and Information Books
Non-fiction has never been my favorite to read, biographies or information books. I have found though, if you want to reach elementary age boys, you need to have a good supply of animal, insect, and dinosaur books.
Biographies are very important for young readers. These can provide an insight into history and the lives of famous people. I enjoyed the section on Biographies in picture book format and the teaching with non-fiction. That section gave lots of good teaching ideas.
Ember,
Boy am I with you on not caring for the informational books. I do like biographies, however there are books on different types of bats, spiders and snakes that I would be very happy to never see again, but the kids do seem to really like them. I just have just one word to describe these books - EEEEoooooooo!!
I think the inclusion of informational literature is important in the classroom. It provides an opportunity for students to learn about subjects that interest them, at their own pace. I think that giving students the freedom to choose helps them stay excited about literature and learning. However, the literature provided should be reviewed by teachers and/or parents first – this chapter provided many good guidelines to follow regarding accurate information, avoiding stereotypes, etc. As a student, I remember first becoming interested in nature and history through the books I read in school. I really think this type of literature helps children discover their passion… whether it’s science or animals… and helping to encourage those discoveries is one of my goals as a teacher.
Jacque - I thought it was interesting that your students read and are interested in cookbooks... I would have never thought of that as a topic! That just shows that there are so many different subjects for students, and really it's up to them to decide what intrigues them most.
Laura Tawater
Chapter 12
Informational Books
This chapter is simply about non-fiction subject books. The chapter indicates that these types of books are the most popular in schools and libraries. Probably because students have to do a research project of some type. There are certain criteria that informational books have to meet and that is: all the facts have to be accurate, no stereotypes, illustrations should clarify text, and the style should stimulate interest. I think it is especially important for young students to be able to be interested in these types of books and not look at it as work or boreing. If children stay interested in what they are reading than they will probably be able to remember the information they read and will be able to write about it if they have to. Illustrations are definatley important for young ones when they are reading. It might be hard for them to imagine how things look without pictures. I remember when I was young, I loved reading about mummies. I think because of the photos I saw. I knew the photos were real and it captured my interest.
Response to sarahs:
I totally agree that students should be able to choose the topic they want to research. If they are forced to write about something they're not interested in, it might not do them any good because they might not remember what they read or do a good job with their project.
Interestingly enough, although I have a real interest in nonfiction, informative books were never one of my favorite. There have been a few times I looked at these types of books growing up but it was basically to look at the pictures. I was much more interested in seeing the real thing in museums and such.
Children do love to look at various topics they find interesting, but I wonder if a lot of the interest is satisfied by just the pictures.
Informational books are important in todays classrooms where due to standardized testing social studies and science tend to be put to the side. You can read these types of books for literature and reading purposes yet still get important social study and science information across. I have also noticed that boys tend to be more likely to bring these types of books home. My son brough home a book about dinasaurs home and until now I could not figure out for the life of me why.
Informational books can be very difficult to read because often the authors are too analytical. It can be confusing when dealing with fact after fact. However, a well-written informational book can teach the reader a great deal. Simple books that explain things that children are interested in can be fascinating and I sometimes read these when my kids come home and learn something new.
Ember, you are stereotyping boys but I guess you are right, only boys want to read about snakes, spiders, and other nasty little items but I guess that is part of our charm! Boys do seem to be the target of many informational books but I think there is a female influence behind it. As everyone knows, men do not read directions until we make several mistakes and our wives tell us to refer to the directions!
Biographies are a great teaching tool in that we can see into someone’s life with little research, thanks to the author. It was interesting to read that biographies in the past have been written so that children want to look up to the person where as now authors are trying to see all sides of the person’s story, making the person much more real. As prospective teachers we should consider when the biography was written and in what context is the person portrayed. Informational books lend themselves to less of this concern while we are choosing to use them in the classroom. They are less apt to have a slant to them. There context and content should be accurate and stereotypes should not be proficient. Using both in our classes will be beneficial for student understanding, but we should be cautious about what material we present.
In response to Sarah:
” I really think this type of literature helps children discover their passion… whether it’s science or animals… and helping to encourage those discoveries is one of my goals as a teacher.”
Sarah, I am with you on this all the way! In my opinion, helping students to find their passion is certainly imperative to teaching. I also found it helpful that the guidelines/evaluations in this chapter, and the others, are invaluable to us as we begin our careers.
"JosephC said...
Ember, you are stereotyping boys but I guess you are right, only boys want to read about snakes, spiders, and other nasty little items but I guess that is part of our charm! Boys do seem to be the target of many informational books but I think there is a female influence behind it. As everyone knows, men do not read directions until we make several mistakes and our wives tell us to refer to the directions!"
In reply to Joseph C. I didn't mean to imply that boys ONLY like to read that kind or that boys are the ONLY kids to enjoy it. I just have seen from my experience that boys seem to enjoy reading those kinds of books more than other kinds.
Informational books encourage children to learn something factual and enjoy it at the same time. They really help in allowing students to figure out that learning can be something they can do out of enjoyment and to their own discretion. I really like informational books as a child. I loved learning, too. My favorites were about cultures and their histories. I also like space and astronomy books. I alos was an odd child in that I liked to read field guides. I still like them!
I really enjoyed this Chapter on Informational Books. I have found that most children really get into these books--especially when you looking at animals and how to books. They even tend to get those readers that are harder to engage in reading, reading books more and more. They definitely have their place in Children's Literature. The text does point out how to be cautious and make sure the books the children are reading are accurate and depict their subject accurately. So much to think about!
In response to Stephanie S.
I agree that children really to learn that learning can be fun from exposure to Informational Books.
I honestly do not remember reading a ton of informational books as a child--I was more into realistic fiction--but I can see its place in the classroom. They seem to catch the attention of a wide variety of students for sure!
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