Nonfiction Units

Independent

Games & Activities

Choose a book to read at home and create a list of new facts that you learned about the topic. As you are reading, choose one way to stop and jot:

  • I can preview my text by asking myself: “How will I take notes as I read?” You may want to make a list of information, create a web, or create organized sections of information as you read.
  • Ask yourself,”What is this section mostly about?”
  • “How do the parts of your book fit together?”
  • “The idea I am having is..” or “I think…”
  • Compare and Contrast Information about Topics by saying, “On this page it talks about… but here, it says…”
  • “I used to think…, but now I think…
  • “I used to think…, but now I know…

Family

Games & Activities:

  • Choose a book that you would like to read with a family member. Read the book like you are an EXPERT!
  • Go to the library with your family and check out a few books about the same topic. Research this new topic. As a family study this new topic.
  • Have a discussion with someone at home about a topic read about in one of your nonfiction books. See if your family members can give you more ideas.
  • Read a non-fiction book, magazine article, website together.  Use an explaining voice as you read.
  • Read a non-fiction book, magazine article, website together.  Use your voice to emphasize the most important information.
  • Read a non-fiction book, magazine article, website together.  Notice reactions you have to the information.  Talk about them.  Why did you have that reaction?
  • Read a non-fiction book, magazine article, website together.  Talk about why you think the author wrote this text.
  • Read two books, articles, websites about the same topic.  Talk about what is  the information is the same and different in the two.
  • Have a discussion with a family member about comparing parts of a book that are similar or different. Try to use prompts such as, “Where does it say that? Is there another example? Prove it!”

Extensions

Videos:

Projects:

  • Create a poster around a new topic that you learned about from your nonfiction books.
  • Create a magazine or a brochure to teach someone about your topic.
  • Write an original song about your topic. Include all of the important details about your topic!