tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post8465813633677571433..comments2024-03-24T07:39:07.530-04:00Comments on Celebrate Nonfiction: Behind the Books: Nonfiction Has Come a Long Way, BabyMelissa Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-78994953150969293632010-11-03T17:39:48.039-04:002010-11-03T17:39:48.039-04:00As a Grade 4 Teacher in the 90's, even I was o...As a Grade 4 Teacher in the 90's, even I was often bored by the non-fiction books available. If I was bored, how was I supposed to get my students to enjoy those books? <br /><br />I am trilled by the improvements in non-fiction for kids. I'm not convinced NCLB has lead to less books being purchased, however. With high stakes testing especially focused on Reading, Writing, and Math, teachers are more dependent on good reading material than ever. I would suggest that the changes in non-fiction mirror the changes in picture books over the last decade- less words, more engaging formats and illustrations (or photos).<br /><br />I also wonder if the recent focus on reluctant readers, especially boy readers, has led to some of these changes. Boys tend to favor non-fiction over fiction. And they tend to favor books with lots of action and humor (Fish Farts, anyone?). <br /><br />I remember certain books standing out in my classroom. The ones that were more like today's books are the ones my students and I went to again and again (e.g. This Place is High by Vicki Cobb, When Clay Sings by Byrd Baylor, Market! by Ted Lewin, among others). Your books and books by April Pulley Sayre are now favorites, as well.Michelle Cusolitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02637858838936799501noreply@blogger.com