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.

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Apr 14th, 9:00 AM Apr 14th, 10:00 AM

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.

 

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