We know that a big part of the CCSS is to include more informational texts into ourstudents' reading. I quickly discovered I had a "gap" in my reading diet - the genre of informational texts! To help me fill the gap this year, I am going to participate in Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesdays! This is a great link-up hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy. Please visit this website to see other educator's link-ups. My goal is to read at least one informational text each week and post information on the blog. The more books and subjects I read, the more I can encourage (my #OLW for 2014) other teachers to use in their classroom!
A series I have stumbled upon is the "Did You Know?" series - written by Laura Lyn DiSiena and Hannah Eliot, illustrated by Pet Oswald. It is a picture book that has a series of connected facts. It begins with a "did you know" fact and then builds upon a related fact. The books stay on a general topic but include many facts about a variety of subjects under that topic. Some facts may be known to kids, but many are unusual and interesting. The illustrations are bright and eye appealing. There are no additional nonfiction text features, so it reads more like a book. There is a page of additional fun facts about the topic, but no additional sources or author's notes.
This series would be a good series to have in a primary or elementary classroom to get students reading nonfiction books. Because of the interesting facts, I think young kids would enjoy reading these books and talking and showing other kids their new found information.
Some books in the series:
Chickens Don't Fly and Other Fun Facts
Topic - animal facts
My favorite fact - sharks need to keep swimming in order to breathe. However, they have found a place in Mexico called the Cave of Sleeping Sharks where there is enough oxygen for them to breathe without swimming!
Hippos Can't Swim and Other Fun Facts
Topic - more animal facts
The best part about this book is the illustrations. The fun and interesting (and weird!) facts are accompanied by very amusing illustrations. Sea turtles in racing gear, chipmunk that has its cheeks FULL of nuts and berries and ants napping are all part of the laugh out loud funny illustrations.
Rainbows Never End and Other Fun Facts
Topic - weather and ecosystems
My favorite fact - a pinecone can predict rain - the scales on a pinecone will close if rain is coming!!
released on Aug. 19 - Trains Can Float and Other Fun Facts (topic - transportation)
released on Oct. 7 - Frogs Play Cellos and Other Fun Facts - (topic - music)
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