Random-osity: Non-fiction can be fun!

We began our non-fiction unit this week. Usually this elicits a massive amount of groans from the masses. Which I always find odd since half of the time during individual reading time they are pouring over non-fiction texts...

Anyway. We began by making this anchor chart with the text features we most often encounter ina text and how they can help us. As we did this we talked about how fiction may or may not have the same features.

Then, they made venn diagrams comparing fiction and non-fiction, which as one kiddo remarked "this is hard I thought they were SO different!" - well put!

Then, later in the week, we used our Time For Kids subscriptions to go on a "Non-Fiction Text Feature Scavenger Hunt" - they read through the issues looking for a variety of features and noted how they could help you read the text.

They thought they were having fun reading magazines, but they were actually really engaged in the "hunt"! Next week, we start non-fiction reading groups, which I actually prefer over fiction reading groups. Hopefully they'll learn to love non-fiction too!

also...going to do a better job at promoting my Monday link-up!

come join the Good.Random.Fun. each Monday, right here!

11 thoughts on the matter:

Nicki said... {Reply}: I love your 'hands on' style of teaching; using what is right before us on a daily basis to bring-home the subject/lesson.; November 13, 2014 at 7:07 AM
Linda Kay said... {Reply}: Can you come to Texas to be my grandson's teacher? I didn't know there was a Time for Kids magazine. I might look into it for a Christmas gift.; November 13, 2014 at 9:17 AM
Heather{Our Life In a Click} said... {Reply}: You make all learning fun! Time For Kids is a great magazine..the kids were always checking that out when I worked at the school library!; November 13, 2014 at 10:05 AM
tiarastantrums said... {Reply}: looks like such great fun for the kids! Glad you are enjoying your new position!; November 13, 2014 at 11:15 AM
Adrienne said... {Reply}: I'm guessing I would probably prefer Time for Kids more than Time...ha! Funny how what we call something can influence how we feel about it. It's a shame that fiction gets the "positive" title and non-fiction is just "what fiction is not" - doesn't even get it's own name! I love watching how you guide your kids into figuring things out "on their own" - those are the lessons we really remember!!; November 13, 2014 at 12:22 PM
Carol Blackburn said... {Reply}: What lucky students! Making nonfiction fun is helpful in getting them to see it is a wonderful thing. I always taught my children and grandchildren about nonfiction subjects and how to research them and find interesting facts about them. It has served them well as they grew up. Your students will thank you for teaching them this some day. Blessings!; November 13, 2014 at 1:31 PM
Jill Foley said... {Reply}: I want you to teach my kids...just move to Portland, become our private teacher and hang out with your nephews : ); November 13, 2014 at 5:09 PM
The Artful Diva said... {Reply}: Great idea!; November 13, 2014 at 5:23 PM
Buckeroomama said... {Reply}: I'm glad that the kids get a chance to explore non-fiction as well... and you are making it fun for them!; November 13, 2014 at 10:05 PM
Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said... {Reply}: Read non-fiction most of my life. Best friend gave me an "assignment" to read a fiction book of her choosing as I was recuperating after being in the hospital. (I was 36 or so.)
The book was Ann of Green Gables, and I was hooked!; November 14, 2014 at 12:03 AM
Kim Cunningham said... {Reply}: I always enjoy seeing what your classes are up to. Loads of good ideas!; November 15, 2014 at 7:17 PM