tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post2546041348252005513..comments2024-03-24T07:39:07.530-04:00Comments on Celebrate Nonfiction: Wait, that’s Not Broccoli. It’s Chocolate Cake! Part 1Melissa Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-85179785572422992462021-05-25T21:16:51.756-04:002021-05-25T21:16:51.756-04:00Thank you for this list and this blogspot. I just ...Thank you for this list and this blogspot. I just ran across it again, and am working on a hook - and the connection. Sometimes this ia the hardest thing for me, but I'm farther along than before. Thanks again.Virginia Rinkelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13436571974803945937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-64159882028134289222018-11-23T06:52:49.901-05:002018-11-23T06:52:49.901-05:00Congratulations on your first book, Melissa. I hop...Congratulations on your first book, Melissa. I hope you'll continue to contribute to the discussion.Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-88540673607990456222017-09-19T19:28:13.305-04:002017-09-19T19:28:13.305-04:00Interesting. I'm curious. How do you see this ...Interesting. I'm curious. How do you see this article as relevant to this discussion?Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-5232239701012520822017-09-19T19:26:23.370-04:002017-09-19T19:26:23.370-04:00There's also this article from the Guardian co...There's also this article from the Guardian covering a research report on children learn moral stories better if humans are depicted. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/sep/01/only-childrens-books-with-humans-have-moral-impact-study-finds?CMP=fb_guSuzie Olsenhttp://www.suzieolsen.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-32726974194983647972017-09-19T13:07:20.863-04:002017-09-19T13:07:20.863-04:00I'm glad there's more to come! We're j...I'm glad there's more to come! We're just scratching the surface.<br />Darcyddpattisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12771826380073687477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-57453083640892979952017-09-19T06:39:01.113-04:002017-09-19T06:39:01.113-04:00Thanks for reading the study, Darcy. I agree. It d...Thanks for reading the study, Darcy. I agree. It doesn’t PROVE that kids prefer expository nonfiction. No single study can do that, and every study has its flaws. What I’m looking at over the next 5 weeks is a body of research that most people in the kidlit world are not aware of. <br /><br />Taken together, they provide strong evidence that some students prefer expository writing. In other words, humans are NOT hardwired to love story. I urge you to continue reading these posts. Based on these studies, I’m hoping to convince the children's literature community that it needs to reconsider its adulation for narrative nonfiction and lackluster response to expository titles. We need to give all students books they will fall in love with.Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-84531049271566920292017-09-18T19:01:06.545-04:002017-09-18T19:01:06.545-04:00Melissa: After looking at the Mohr study, I think ...Melissa: After looking at the Mohr study, I think it doesn't prove that kids prefer informational text. First, the study was studying six different things. The nine books for selection included ethnic/multucultural choices, which I think didn't represent the fiction genre in the best way to make the distinction between fiction v. nonfiction. Second, I would question all of these books as a selection for first graders. A quick glance at the AR reading levels (because it's easy to access) revealed that their reading level ranged from 2.0 to 5.0. In other words, the study didn't control for reading level. Third, the preferred book, ANIMALS NOBODY LOVES, is a browsable text, rather than a text that must be read front to back. Of course, that's one of the appeals of informational text, but how does it affect the choices? And fourth, it totally discounts the covers as a decision making tool, which is often reported as a major decision point. Overall, I think this is a great study that indicates the possible preference of informational texts. However, I'd want more research before I concluded that info text is the most popular form of books. Also, this was a study with first graders, which are still consolidating their reading skills. I wonder how the choices would vary as the kids grow older. Darcyddpattisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12771826380073687477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-11918890467403120882017-09-15T19:13:33.485-04:002017-09-15T19:13:33.485-04:00It's not only the kids that want more informat...It's not only the kids that want more informational texts for STEM, it's the STEM education researchers and education policy makers as well. You can see their call for these texts in the Common Core (See Appendix B http://www.corestandards.org/assets/Appendix_B.pdf) and NGSS (Search on Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information). AAAS has also written about this issue in its leading publications. You're right that the gatekeepers in the education and trade publishing worlds are partial to story and poetry as literature. I believe it's because most of them have English literature backgrounds. I am also an English major so I understand where they are coming from. But children need and love to learn to read informational texts. I'd be happy to join a group interested in affecting change in this area. I've worked in STEM research for many years, but am new to children's book publishing. Lerner Publishing just published my first children's book.Melissa Kochhttp://melissakoch.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-63085485736614613482017-09-15T14:28:39.069-04:002017-09-15T14:28:39.069-04:00No, it's not that I'm having trouble belie...No, it's not that I'm having trouble believing it! It's just that my first impression of the book chosen, ANIMALS NOBODY LOVES, was emotional. Plus, it's a great cover. I just want information (ha!). I want to see the other covers and read what the kids said.<br />Darcyddpattisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12771826380073687477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-47714498298098390832017-09-15T11:39:27.856-04:002017-09-15T11:39:27.856-04:00Keep working on it, Jen!Keep working on it, Jen!Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-92006172158855526612017-09-15T11:33:07.505-04:002017-09-15T11:33:07.505-04:00I have long suspected that there is a swath of you...I have long suspected that there is a swath of young readers are being underserved. We need more picture book nonfiction! Maybe I should pull out that WIP I put away because the gatekeepers kept saying, "No thank you."JEN Garretthttp://lexicalcreations.weebly.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-50547928638958207352017-09-15T06:10:45.425-04:002017-09-15T06:10:45.425-04:00The good news is that today's nonfiction featu...The good news is that today's nonfiction features stunning art and photos, dynamic design, and engaging writing. Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-28253444089438554632017-09-14T22:15:38.749-04:002017-09-14T22:15:38.749-04:00I totally agree. And I wasn't trying to say it...I totally agree. And I wasn't trying to say it shouldn't ever be 'real life,' just that whatever it is, it should be fun and interesting. And unfortunately, back in those days a lot of the real life math was neither.Evelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09458293325369594900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-90897480679976599682017-09-14T19:00:11.300-04:002017-09-14T19:00:11.300-04:00That's an interesting idea. My personal respon...That's an interesting idea. My personal response is that the real world is fun and interesting. <br /><br />Perhaps your math problems with pretend/fantasy/sci-fi settings were somehow more playful, and therefore more enjoyable for the students. There are always so many nuances to consider with these kinds of things, aren't there?Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-84761457412692178492017-09-14T18:49:14.465-04:002017-09-14T18:49:14.465-04:00It's sort of along the lines of my dissertatio...It's sort of along the lines of my dissertation study (from many years ago!). At that point there was a big push to make math all related to real life. I thought it was more important to make it fun and interesting. I gave 1st year algebra students a choice between word problems with real-life settings and pretend/fantasy/sci-fi settings. More of them chose the latter. That's partly why I was wondering how things were playing out with the older kids in your research.Evelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09458293325369594900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-3735988405186899022017-09-14T18:22:04.860-04:002017-09-14T18:22:04.860-04:00I urge you to get the article and read it, Darcy. ...I urge you to get the article and read it, Darcy. Yes, the article does list all the books. <br /><br />The children where interviewed extensively about the rationale behind their choices and that information is also included. The methodology of the study is sound.<br /><br />You may have trouble believing that children are preferring the writing style. Many narrative thinkers have trouble imagining that there is different way of thinking about reading and texts, and that's exactly the point I'm trying to make with this series of posts. Each week I will be presenting more and more evidence that some children prefer expository nonfiction, and if we want them to love reading, we need to offer a rich array of the kind of books that they enjoy most.Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-64814434990579015492017-09-14T17:35:16.788-04:002017-09-14T17:35:16.788-04:00Melissa:
I'm not convinced that the difference...Melissa:<br />I'm not convinced that the difference if narrative non-fiction v. expository non-fiction. Rather, the choice seems to be between wonder and an emotional response and something else. I'm not sure what that would be because we are only seeing the choice the kids made. Certainly, choosing ANIMALS NOBODY LOVES is an emotional response. I'm not sure the distinction you're making here is the one that influenced the decision. Do you know the other titles presented?<br />DarcyDarcy Pattisonhttp://darcypattison.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-47321785138558103582017-09-14T16:48:10.360-04:002017-09-14T16:48:10.360-04:00So interesting, Melissa! I was an animal lover as ...So interesting, Melissa! I was an animal lover as a kid--still am, so anything to do with wildlife/nature drew me in & still does. Looking forward to hearing more about your research.Maria Gianferrarihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04702731735297812779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-69543732534639962302017-09-14T14:47:03.943-04:002017-09-14T14:47:03.943-04:00Good spotting, Gretchen. The image is an anchor ch...Good spotting, Gretchen. The image is an anchor chart that a teacher created for her classroom, so it shows how she is teaching her class to distinguish between narrative vs. expository. I agree with you. The best nonfiction--both expository and narrative--delights as well as informs. You are the second person to comment negatively on the visual, so perhaps I should change it. Thanks for your input.Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-44888666645648090902017-09-14T14:02:52.904-04:002017-09-14T14:02:52.904-04:00Thanks for flying the NF flag high, Melissa! I loo...Thanks for flying the NF flag high, Melissa! I look forward to reading more of your research. One niggle about your chart: You describe narrative nf as "for entertainment" and expository as "to inform." I submit that both forms inform and entertain!<br /><br />Gretchen Woelflehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10350500006005970433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-74744536092276841842017-09-14T12:52:31.178-04:002017-09-14T12:52:31.178-04:00I couldn't agree more. Thanks for sharing, Hay...I couldn't agree more. Thanks for sharing, Hayley.Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-55723757305550068852017-09-14T12:51:25.274-04:002017-09-14T12:51:25.274-04:00Thanks, Gwendolyn.Thanks, Gwendolyn.Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-45817401455462331792017-09-14T12:50:46.846-04:002017-09-14T12:50:46.846-04:00You make some interesting points, Lionel, but I th...You make some interesting points, Lionel, but I think we are defining "expository nonfiction" differently. It sounds like your comments are focused exclusively on series books produced by educational publishers. <br /><br />What I'm primarily focused on is high-quality trade books with an expository writing style. I encourage you to follow my Monday posts throughout the year for examples of these books. Each week a highly-regarded educator will be sharing his/her 5 favorites.<br /><br />Expository nonfiction is style of writing and it comes in many different forms, including reference books, quiz and activity books, picture books, and graphic nonfiction. U.S. elementary students are now being taught to distinguish the two styles of nonfiction writing, and are learning the verbiage to describe the characteristics of nonfiction that they enjoy reading. This is an exciting change.Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-9545968399017053072017-09-14T12:28:02.243-04:002017-09-14T12:28:02.243-04:00Another factor is bookstores prefer to stock narra...Another factor is bookstores prefer to stock narrative nonfiction, "reference books", NF quiz and activity books, NF picture books, and now graphic NF, rather than expository NF, as they fly off the shelves faster: These are what parents and grandparents think all children want. Also, the marketing supply chain often means bookstores cannot buy direct from educational publishers, and wholesalers do not stock children's expository NF as they do not fly off the shelves. So parents, children and some librarians, do not get the opportunity to see and buy the books they crave for. That's why you often hear parents (and a good number of teachers) say, "What we need are books on volcanoes, hurricanes, magnetism, photosynthesis etc." Those books are definitely out there, and in great numbers, but there are hard to find.Lionel Benderhttp://www.brw.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-15077135468001994342017-09-14T10:08:02.625-04:002017-09-14T10:08:02.625-04:00Thank you for this, Melissa. As I child, I loved s...Thank you for this, Melissa. As I child, I loved stories, most especially horse stories, but what I loved even more was learning about horse history, stable management, their anatomy and diseases. You get the idea. When it came to all things equine, I was an autodidact. Young readers must have rich, complicated, challenging nonfiction to complement the more narrative elements of their reading life. Hayley B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06060515268682180361noreply@blogger.com