Authors of nonfiction for young readers model specific writing styles and techniques that demonstrate a command of the written word, engage and hook readers, and help to explain and contextualize important concepts.
Balancing Readability and Reading Fluency | On Common Core
By on March 12, 2013 1 Comment
Knowing the research behind text complexity is critical to understanding the Common Core’s call for more complexity, and how reading for pleasure fits in.
Part 4 On Common Core – Pathways to Engaged Readers: Helping Students Reach Common Core Levels
By on February 28, 2013 Leave a Comment
Thursday, March 14, 2013, 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET Join Mary Ehrenworth, the Deputy Director at the Reading and Writing Project at Teachers College, Columbia University, and co-author of Pathways to the Common Core, as she explores creating a school culture of reading, the challenges and methods for getting just-right books into kids’ hands, increasing nonfiction engagement, and building structures for clubs and parent involvement through the central core of a school’s reading life— the library. Archive now available!
On Common Core | Talking about Nonfiction
By on February 4, 2013 Leave a Comment
“Talking takes time” note the authors, but allowing students time for conversations about the texts they are reading is essential.
Deconstructing Nonfiction | On Common Core
By on January 8, 2013 6 Comments
If students are not familiar with nonfiction texts, they may assume that every nonfiction book serves the same function.
‘Pathways to the Common Core’ | Professional Shelf
By on January 7, 2013 Leave a Comment
“Pathways to the Common Core” offers solutions and directions for teachers looking for a way to understand and implement the Common Core State Standards into their lesson plans.
One Librarian’s Success Story | On Common Core
By on January 3, 2013 3 Comments
With one smart step at a time, Christine Poser, a middle-school librarian at Myra S. Barnes I.S. 24 on Staten Island, NY, is helping her school move on the new standards.
Humorist Bruce Coville Wins Empire State Award, Emphasizes the “Ripple Effect” of Reading
By on November 26, 2012 5 Comments
Bruce Coville recently became the twenty-third recipient of the Empire State Award for Excellence in Literature for Young People. The author of many humorous middle-grade novels, Coville was celebrated at the New York Library Association annual conference earlier this month.
Common Core and Common Sense: Editorial | Series Made Simple Fall 2012
By on November 1, 2012 Leave a Comment
Series Made Simple Fall 2012Cover and illustration by Daniel Pelavin
When I get interested in a topic, I become obsessed. I don’t really have hobbies; I have infatuations. I don’t have favorite movies or novels; I have look-but-don’t-touch collections. And when it comes to learning about a new subject, I can’t just read one book on it—I have to read everything I can get my hands on.
And that is why so much of the Common Core State Standards [...]
Packs, Pods, and Prides: Animals | Series Made Simple Fall 2012
By on November 1, 2012 Leave a Comment
This season’s animal titles are thoughtfully designed to support Common Core State Standards with good use of nonfiction text features and subject-specific vocabulary. Whether students are requesting books for research or for recreational reading, the abundant photographs and conversational narratives ensure that they will be engaged and will come away with increased background knowledge. Several series explain classification and interaction within a species’ habitat, environment, or group. While many of the animals highlighted are old favorites, students [...]
Numbers Everywhere: Mathematics | Series Made Simple Fall 2012
By on November 1, 2012 Leave a Comment
With the implementation of Common Core State Standards (CCSS), the need for informational books has increased; math volumes must satisfy both the language arts informational text standards and the mathematics standards.
