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Nonfiction in the Classroom
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From: Megan Schliesman <Schliesman>
Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2000 08:42:53 -0600
We have seen varying viewpoints on biography and autobiography, from those who are wary of how much can't be known and whether this is clear to readers to those who acknowledge that point of view frames a work but isn't necessarily a limitation--whether in biography or autobiography--, especially, as a number of people have pointed out, when the writing and research stand up to scrutiny and produce an engaging narrative.
Please continue to share any additional thoughts you may have on biography. In the meantime, I am also intrigued by what Robin Smith, Dean Schneider and several sthers have shared as examples of some of the creative, inspiring ways teachers are using biography and other nonfiction (and yes, historical fiction, too) in the classroom. To quote Dean:
"We read Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, Karen Hesse's Out of the Dust, and Elizabeth Partridge's Restless Spirit (an award-winning biography of Dorothea Lange). Students write a variety of expository pieces, poetry modeled on Hesse's poems, and the biography helps provide an historical context for our readings. A visit by the author capped off the project, and she helped students see the photographs in a new, deeper way. The project is described at Betsy Partridge's website: www.elizabethpartridge.com/ (and go to Restless Spirit/curriculum ideas/Dorothea and John Steinbeck.
Later in the year, in 7th grade, we read Katherine Paterson's Lyddie and Russell Freedman's Kids At Work. The nonfiction adds a visual and historical depth to the fiction, and is an excellent work in its own right, about an heroic real-life character. Susan Campbell Bartoletti's books -- Kids On Strike and Growing Up in Coal Country -- are excellent resources, too, among others."
I'm curious what other books--biography, autobiography and other forms of nonfiction--others--both teachers and librarians--are using to teach about specific times and events, and in what way you are using them.
Megan
Megan Schliesman, Librarian Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education UW-Madison 608&2?03 schliesman at education.wisc.edu
Received on Wed 08 Nov 2000 08:42:53 AM CST
Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2000 08:42:53 -0600
We have seen varying viewpoints on biography and autobiography, from those who are wary of how much can't be known and whether this is clear to readers to those who acknowledge that point of view frames a work but isn't necessarily a limitation--whether in biography or autobiography--, especially, as a number of people have pointed out, when the writing and research stand up to scrutiny and produce an engaging narrative.
Please continue to share any additional thoughts you may have on biography. In the meantime, I am also intrigued by what Robin Smith, Dean Schneider and several sthers have shared as examples of some of the creative, inspiring ways teachers are using biography and other nonfiction (and yes, historical fiction, too) in the classroom. To quote Dean:
"We read Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, Karen Hesse's Out of the Dust, and Elizabeth Partridge's Restless Spirit (an award-winning biography of Dorothea Lange). Students write a variety of expository pieces, poetry modeled on Hesse's poems, and the biography helps provide an historical context for our readings. A visit by the author capped off the project, and she helped students see the photographs in a new, deeper way. The project is described at Betsy Partridge's website: www.elizabethpartridge.com/ (and go to Restless Spirit/curriculum ideas/Dorothea and John Steinbeck.
Later in the year, in 7th grade, we read Katherine Paterson's Lyddie and Russell Freedman's Kids At Work. The nonfiction adds a visual and historical depth to the fiction, and is an excellent work in its own right, about an heroic real-life character. Susan Campbell Bartoletti's books -- Kids On Strike and Growing Up in Coal Country -- are excellent resources, too, among others."
I'm curious what other books--biography, autobiography and other forms of nonfiction--others--both teachers and librarians--are using to teach about specific times and events, and in what way you are using them.
Megan
Megan Schliesman, Librarian Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education UW-Madison 608&2?03 schliesman at education.wisc.edu
Received on Wed 08 Nov 2000 08:42:53 AM CST
