Reading Non-Fiction

Teaching children to successfully read non-fiction is often a forgotten skill.  It seems like we think if they can read fiction. . . they certainly should be able to read non-fiction.  That is not necessarily true.  Learning to read non-fiction is an important skill that we need to help our children develop.
Below are a  a few ideas that may be helpful.


For preschool, kindergarten, elementary students I recommend simply reading non-fiction to them and talking to them about what you have read together.    Some further ideas to  help with comprehension would be to have your student  draw pictures of what they have read, write a one or two sentence summary, or tell you what the passage was about. (narration).

For Kindergarden/first grade students you can make a simple list of what they want to learn about a topic before they read a book.  That gets the student to actively engage their mind before reading.  Check the list at the end to see if any of the questions were answered.

A more advanced method for older students is the KWL chart.  There are different variations, but this is a basic one.  Write what you know about a topic, what you would like to know about a topic, and after you have read what you have learned.  I think it is a very good method to reading non-fiction.

Another graphic organizer for Elementary and middle school is the super six method.  The student writes down six things they have learned while reading a non-fiction text.   I would let the student know you will be asking them to do this after they finish reading a selection before they read it.

Lastly, for junior high students and high school students a great method for reading a text book is the SQR3.  SQR3 stand for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review.  This article discusses the method in detail and is a great resource.  I think it is very helpful for high schoolers to have a plan when reading a text book.  We often assume our students can do this when they are not sure where to even start.  I believe this is an essential skill for older students to learn.

Hopefully this is a good place to start.  Being intentional and teaching our students how to read non-fiction is critical to their education.  It is a skill they will carry with them throughout their lives.
Becky

Fall Contest: Amazon card give-away!

Somehow September is almost over and Fall is here in Ohio.  Well, the calendar says fall is here, but around Cincinnati the weather is still acting like it is summer.   But, it is time for the fall contest as Ohio Homeschool Assessments.

I am going to be giving away  TWO Amazon gift cards to celebrate fall.   Maybe you can use it for a new book, some music, or a movie you have been wanting to see.

I am also running a bonus contest this year.  I am trying to build my book blog, Becky's Bookshelves.   I am running a contest there for another $25 Amazon Card and you are welcome to enter.  So many chances to win!

Good Luck!
Rules: The contest is open to anyone I can send an Amazon online gift card to. Please know I VERIFY all winning entries. If you need help please email me.  

If you are on a mobile phone. . go to the end of this post and click on the words "View web version" (It is under a HOME button)   It will take you to a page where if you look in the top right corner you will see the FOLLOW button.  Click on that and Follow Publicly. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Re Post: Tightwad Gazette

  

I posted this a few years ago.  It is one of those books that I pull out and read from time to time.  I always learn something new.  I think September is an expensive month, so reposting this might be 
helpful.

This is truly one of my favorite books of all time!  Really.  If you are trying to save money. . you need this book.   Though it is not specifically about home education, it tells you amazing ways to save money.  I believe that Ms. Dacyczyn would have been an awesome home educator.

I discovered Amy Dacyczyn (pronounced like "decision") about 20 some odd years ago.  I remember when she was putting out a newsletter called the Tightwad Gazette.   We were so poor when my husband was in graduate school we would travel to the library to read the newsletter.  Which of course had to stay in the library.  Well, unless someone stole it from the library which did happen frequently in Atlanta, Georgia.  But, I do remember someone writing a note where the stolen newsletters should have been located that said, " Taking The Tightwad Gazette newsletter is not being thrifty, it is stealing. "  I still laugh when I think of that.

The Complete Tightwad Gazette is a compilation of her newsletter.  She never wrote the same article twice.  Impressive.  She discusses ways to be thrifty,  She was an interesting person, and her book is an excellent resource.  You probably will not want to do everything in it, but there are plenty of good ideas to get your started.  Some will find her ideas radical, but it depends how much you want or need to save money.

I found this interview of Mrs. Dacyczyn.  It gives you a little insight into her world.  I hope you enjoy it!
~ Becky