Diagram It! Identifying, Comparing, and Writing About Nonfiction Texts

Overview

Featured Resources

From Theory to Practice

 

OVERVIEW

This lesson introduces second-grade students to different types of nonfiction writing. Students explore a variety of nonfiction books and compare them to fiction. Students also learn about different categories of nonfiction writing and practice identifying books that fall into these categories. Peer interaction, hands-on experiences with nonfiction books, and the use of graphic organizers facilitate student understanding of the texts. Students record their thinking and new learning and discuss them as a class.

back to top

 

FEATURED RESOURCES

Interactive Venn Diagram: Students can use this interactive to compare and contrast fiction and nonfiction genres.

back to top

 

FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

Palmer, R.G., & Stewart, R.A. (2003). Nonfiction trade book use in primary grades. The Reading Teacher, 57(1), 38–48.

• Too often, young children are exposed only to fiction writing in the primary years.
  
  
• Nonfiction can play an important role in the primary classroom. The texts should include broad topical coverage to meet individual interests and curriculum needs.
  
  
• Teachers should encourage independent work with age-appropriate nonfiction texts.

back to top