Submission Type
Event
Expected Graduation Date
2012
Location
Lower Level, Ames Library, Illinois Wesleyan University
Start Date
4-14-2012 9:00 AM
End Date
4-14-2012 10:00 AM
Abstract
In many classrooms, it is becoming more common for teachers to supplement their students’ textbooks with commercial trade books. While student teaching in a fourth grade classroom, I noticed that the majority of my students had difficulty comprehending and staying engaged in their science textbook. I decided to find a wide range of books that contained science material from a specific unit and encouraged the students to self-select “just-right” books from the collection. Through data analysis of field notes and student reflections, I learned what I should take into account when choosing trade books to supplement the science curriculum, including the importance of content accuracy. I also examined my students’ interactions with the trade books. I found that they generally had a positive response when granted access to a selection of books for their independent reading and used them to demonstrate their resourcefulness.
Integrating "Just-Right" Books into the Science Curriculum
Lower Level, Ames Library, Illinois Wesleyan University
In many classrooms, it is becoming more common for teachers to supplement their students’ textbooks with commercial trade books. While student teaching in a fourth grade classroom, I noticed that the majority of my students had difficulty comprehending and staying engaged in their science textbook. I decided to find a wide range of books that contained science material from a specific unit and encouraged the students to self-select “just-right” books from the collection. Through data analysis of field notes and student reflections, I learned what I should take into account when choosing trade books to supplement the science curriculum, including the importance of content accuracy. I also examined my students’ interactions with the trade books. I found that they generally had a positive response when granted access to a selection of books for their independent reading and used them to demonstrate their resourcefulness.