Comments on: Inquiry and Choice http://blog.schoollibrarymedia.com/index.php/2009/10/27/inquiry-and-choice/ by Kristin Fontichiaro Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:57:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Mary http://blog.schoollibrarymedia.com/index.php/2009/10/27/inquiry-and-choice/#comment-39799 Mary Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:06:22 +0000 http://blog.schoollibrarymedia.com/index.php/2009/10/27/inquiry-and-choice/#comment-39799 I am lucky enough to be working as part of the 4th grade reading team. I have a tremendous group of very bright students, who are currently reading The White Giraffe. We're focusing on a language arts standard (of course!) that requires students to compare and contrast information on the same topic from various sources. Thankfully, The White Giraffe gives the students a wide choice of topics for their nonfiction research. The two kids who sighed, "Not animal reports again," are busily researching the sites mentioned in the book, and reporting on weather, modes of transportation, and interesting facts. Another child decided to write about Nelson Mandela. They are engaged and excited to be directing their own research. I read a few pages of A Place for Wonder online, then broke down and whipped out my credit card to order myself a copy. I might even share it with the teachers:-) I firmly believe we need to break our habit (at this school anyway) of reading only novels in our reading groups, and delve into the wonderful nonfiction that will hook many reluctant readers. This book might just be the ammunition I need! I am lucky enough to be working as part of the 4th grade reading team. I have a tremendous group of very bright students, who are currently reading The White Giraffe. We’re focusing on a language arts standard (of course!) that requires students to compare and contrast information on the same topic from various sources. Thankfully, The White Giraffe gives the students a wide choice of topics for their nonfiction research. The two kids who sighed, “Not animal reports again,” are busily researching the sites mentioned in the book, and reporting on weather, modes of transportation, and interesting facts. Another child decided to write about Nelson Mandela. They are engaged and excited to be directing their own research.

I read a few pages of A Place for Wonder online, then broke down and whipped out my credit card to order myself a copy. I might even share it with the teachers:-) I firmly believe we need to break our habit (at this school anyway) of reading only novels in our reading groups, and delve into the wonderful nonfiction that will hook many reluctant readers. This book might just be the ammunition I need!

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