1. Paired Text Fiction and Nonfiction
Mary Wheatley
CLIP
February 11, 2010

2. The Facts about Reading Aloud
…The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success is reading aloud to children.
-Anderson, R.C., Hiebert, E.H., Scott, J.A., &
Wilkinson, I.A.G. (1985). Becoming a
nation of readers: The report of the
Commission on Reading. Washington,
DC: National Academy of Education,
Commission on Education and Public
Policy.

3. Choosing What to Read Aloud
Most choose fiction books
Favorite classic fiction picture books are plentiful in classroom libraries and school library

4. Nonfiction Overlooked
Studies have revealed the scarcity of nonfiction reading and writing in primary schools
Children engaged in informational text on average of 3.6 minutes per day
-Reading Research Quarterly
Nell Duke, Michigan State

5. Increase Exposure to NF Text
Reading both fiction and non fiction texts is especially important in primary classrooms.
Best practice research in reading instruction has shown that primary students, while learning to read, should also be reading to learn.

6. Many researchers now believe that exposure to non fiction texts in the primary grades helps students to prepare for the increased amount of informational texts that they are exposed to beginning in fourth grade. Additionally, it is believed that non fiction exposure in the primary grades increases information literacy skills, thus creating more skilled readers and researchers in the upper grades.

7. It Takes Two
Connects the curriculum to books by pairing fiction and nonfiction books
Provides an authentic way of introducing content material
Boosts students’ understanding and enjoyment of reading

8. Applying the Strategies
Reading aloud Fiction and Nonfiction: Ricky’s Birdhouse What Bluebirds Do

9. Build Background
It Takes Two: Teaching with Twin Texts of Fact and Fiction
Break into 5 Strategy Groups
Venn Diagram
K-W-L
DR-TA/DL-TA
Webbing
Activating Prior Knowledge

10. Strategy Group Response: Strategy Chart
In your strategy group summarize the following:
Definition of strategy
General Procedures for Implementation
Additional Comments
How could you apply your strategy?

11. Strategy Group But will it work?
How could you apply your strategy?
Riki’s Birdhouse
by Monica Wellington
What Bluebirds Do
by Pamela Kirby

12. Wiki of Ideas Read aloud tips and resources
Pairs of titles (grouped by subject)
Nonfiction text instructional resources
Teaching strategies for paired text
Paired Fiction and Nonfiction Texts Wiki

13. It Takes Two Classroom Teacher & Librarian
Read twin texts in the classroom
Read twin texts in the library
Read twin texts in the classroom & library