Book Review - Nonfiction Matters by Stephanie Harvey
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Overview:
It is a commonly accepted fact that most boys prefer to read nonfiction. This was especially true for me growing up, but I didn't even realize it.
This book ranks up there as one of my favorites in regards to boys and reading. It is specifically tailored for teachers and librarians. The author, Stephanie Harvey, was a teacher and librarian in the same district that I am in. She is now a well-known and highly respected author.
Highlights:
- The best non-fiction writing occurs when the writer: knows, cares, & wonders about the subject.
- Authentic Research is critical. When boys are forced to research topics that are not of interest to them, they disengage.
- Inquiry! Inquiry! Inquiry! (see p.5-6 & most of book). The concept of inquiry-based learning is discussed throughout the entire book. Inquiry-based learning where teachers and parents tap into topics that are of interest to the child.
- Honor passion (and model yours)
- How teachers can build a community of learner.
- Help kids wonder. Tap their background knowledge
- Value & celebrate student questions
- Emersion stimulates thinking
- Role model – let them see your thought process
- 80% of student writing should be self selected
- Classroom should be covered w/ NF
- P.44-49: huge list of resources to support NF Inquiry
- Primary research (ch.9)
- Organizing Thinking (ch.10)
- There are tons of examples throughout this book!
Questions to Discuss:
What are examples of non fiction topics that appeal to boys? Include the age level.
I have to say computers and internet. My kids go gaga over anything that relates to online gaming and gadgets. Their interest with technology started in school. They have a computer subject that teaches them how to work around with the basic MS Office application like Word, Excel and Paint. Soon enough, they're begging for more knowledge. The kids enjoy computers so much that they even want me to set up an internet cafe so that they can play as much as they want, ad infinitum!
My eldest, he's 12, told me he wants to be a computer scientist.
Boys love sports, music, band books,(roughly age 15+) astronauts, rainbows(roughly age below 12)...But also the best bet is to suggest short story collections.
Toddlers and preschoolers likes to play and reads story books with pictures and all. They are more interested in watching television programs like sponge bob, sesame street and the like.
Teenagers are inclined in music, sports, novels, video games, internet, and parties. This is because in this stage, they wanted to explore so many things and wanted to establish their identity.
Early twenties boys, will explore more on their career side of personality. At this age they wanted to establish the sense of self- satisfying and responsibility as an individual.
In my country though, teenagers and early twenties are much more the same. Until they got married and have their family. By then, they will be force, specially the boys to be responsible for their future.
Rose, You touch on a very important topic about how the internet is a form of reading for so many boys. Many boys prefer to read for purpose. If they have an interest or passion in something, the Internet will fill that purpose. This is exactly what the book by Stephanie Harvey addresses.
I think most teachers and parents don't understand how important the internet is for quenching a boy's nonfiction thirst.
My students are in their third year in high school. A lot of them love sports books and magazines. Our school has a big program on sports activities. I guess this is the time in their lives where their adrenaline is off the charts and they try to discover a lot of things about themselves. I'm just happy that they are interested in reading to improve on their hobbies.
~~~a stone is not carved by force but by constant friction~~~
I think as a parent the key is to make books a part of everyday life. As preschoolers, whenever they would ask a question, like "Why is the sky blue?" or see something that caught their interest like a waterfall, we would look that up at the library.
You never know what will catch their interest. My older son was fascinated by jellyfish when he was 4 and we read the 10 or so books the library had on them over and over. He's now 8 and devours the mystery series books on his level (boxcar children, etc) in addition to keeping up with nonfic on new interests (pirates, how to draw books, etc.)
My younger son (now 6) has gone through construction vehicles, volcanoes, and now loves Star Wars books, both the easy reader stories and the oversized technical drawings of the Death Star and all.
Interest is key, and by using a library where you can try out tons of different books and subjects for free, it's easy to find something they like. We love our local Public Library and often reach the end of our 60-item limit.
At my school (prek-5th grade) my boys love dirt bikes and atvs, jokes, scary stories, skateboarding, grossology, and football books mostly. I am hoping to introduce them more to some graphic novels and comics. I was fortunate to receive a batch of comic books on Free Comic Book day in May. Now I need to figure out how best to use them. Might try a "boy's reading club" type thing. Would like to get more men to come in and read with the boys, too. We will see what we can do!
yes i agree nonfiction matters.
In our library (primary school - years 0-6) I have created a junior non fiction area for the juniors. We don't worry about shelving in the dewey system but we catalogue in the dewey system. At the bottom of the shelves we have bins so we can get more junior non fiction in.
My findings are that more junior non fiction books get issued and read. It also gives more room for the non fiction area for the middle and senior school.
Stephanie Harvey has contributed greatly to the field of education by providing strategies and ideas to engage all readers especially boys.
Thank You Stephanie!
So impressive to see such well known authors Like Stephanie Harvey and Ralph Fletcher sharing their expertise on this site.
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#1
I think that most boys like sports. The teenage boys I believe are more interested in it. I think younger boys like the topics of cars or motorcycles. I think that covers a wide variety of topics there.