tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1337206901491734394.post6328876917234393105..comments2024-03-22T01:00:38.320-04:00Comments on I.N.K.: A Bridge to the ClassroomLinda Salzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217322360480267856noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1337206901491734394.post-69790384083977082502011-11-02T17:20:43.297-04:002011-11-02T17:20:43.297-04:00I think that the authors' contributions are en...I think that the authors' contributions are enormous. Great nonfiction really enlivens the classroom and helps us all think and learn. I don't expect the author to be a teacher too, but I do expect to tap into the author's considerable expertise. <br /><br />The big issue for me as an educator is that reading a book for pleasure--as wonderful as that truly is--is not teaching with books. If we want to teach with books, we need a plan for how to effectively do this with approximately 30 children. Last year I introduced fifth graders to "reading with an inquiry minded stance." We all read to find out how scientists were trying to solve the problem of colony collapse disorder-the reason why honeybees are dying. We read great nonfiction. We focused on (1) the problem, (2) the problem solvers,(3) what they were doing, (4) what they found out and what questions remained. This focus was productive and interesting. We made a big chart of our findings and we did lots of other related reading and writing. We took a trip to a bee hive too. It all fit. So, in short, I am interested in have a big, interesting purpose for learning. Within this, I also want to teach reading, writing, vocabulary, and content skills kids need. The content that nonfiction authors provide makes my life as a teacher varied, interesting, exciting, and just a plain pleasure! But I need to use that content as the context for instruction. And, of course, I want to do that respectfully--without beating your books to death. I want the kids to love reading your books and make learning irresistible.Myra Zarnowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08384106059616982063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1337206901491734394.post-35488767560440086972011-11-02T14:44:37.560-04:002011-11-02T14:44:37.560-04:00Thank you for this kind of insight, Vicki. I was ...Thank you for this kind of insight, Vicki. I was once asked how I wanted teachers to use my books, and honestly, I was dumbstruck. Read them, of course, was my first reaction. But then I started to think about what the question implied -- there needed to be a reason to use my nonfiction titles. They wouldn't be considered just fun to read like fiction would be. Since then, I've thought hard on how I can help teachers 'use' my books, but, since I am not a teacher, it is hard for me to think up lesson plans, etc. These interviews will be enlightening for teachers, but also for other writers like me.<br />Peggy Thomas<br />www.Peggythomaswrites.com<br />www.Anatomyofnonfiction@blogspot.comPeggy Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17783764591208338610noreply@blogger.com