Literary Nonfiction in the Classroom IRA Regional Conference Billings, Montana October 2007 Presented by Joy Dewing
Contact Info Joy Dewing Joy Dewing Central Middle School, Kokomo, Indiana Central Middle School, Kokomo, Indiana
What is literary nonfiction? One of the fuzzy genres One of the fuzzy genres Nonfiction that reads like fiction and includes elements of fiction (plot, characters, conflict, etc.) Nonfiction that reads like fiction and includes elements of fiction (plot, characters, conflict, etc.) Interesting! Interesting!
Why should I teach Literary Nonfiction? Up to 70% of material on standardized tests in nonfiction Up to 70% of material on standardized tests in nonfiction Students think nonfiction is boring Students think nonfiction is boring They are used to reading textbooks and encyclopedias for nonfiction They are used to reading textbooks and encyclopedias for nonfiction
Why should I teach literary nonfiction? It is more interesting to read than a textbook or an encyclopedia It is more interesting to read than a textbook or an encyclopedia It models good nonfiction writing for students It models good nonfiction writing for students
Text Sets – Grouping fiction and nonfiction together An American Plague by Jim Murphy & Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson An American Plague by Jim Murphy & Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
Text Sets – Grouping fiction and nonfiction together Fireflies in the Night by Judy Hawes Fireflies in the Night by Judy Hawes Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman & A. Lincoln and Me Louise Borden Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman & A. Lincoln and Me Louise Borden When Marian Sang by Pam Munoz Ryan & The Voice That Challenged a Nation by ????? When Marian Sang by Pam Munoz Ryan & The Voice That Challenged a Nation by ????? Blizzard! By Jim Murphy & Blizzards Wake by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Blizzard! By Jim Murphy & Blizzards Wake by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Picture Books
Chapter Books
Memoir vs. Personal Narrative It is not what happens, but the person to whom things happen. ~ Virginia Woolf It is not what happens, but the person to whom things happen. ~ Virginia Woolf When children put their lives on the page, they often leave out one person – themselves. ~ Lucy Calkins When children put their lives on the page, they often leave out one person – themselves. ~ Lucy Calkins
Examples of Memoirs Boy and Going Solo by Roald Dahl Boy and Going Solo by Roald Dahl Wait Until Next Year by Doreen Kearns Wait Until Next Year by Doreen Kearns Looking Back by Lois Lowry Looking Back by Lois Lowry Homesick My Own Story by Jean Fritz Homesick My Own Story by Jean Fritz Allen Say books Allen Say books