Nonfiction Navigators discussion
Nonfiction Navigators Topic Selection
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I like these guidelines for book discussion: http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/bo... I don't think they are quite a right fit for this group since they are intended for a group reading the same book and meeting face to face.
But what I really like about them are points #1 & 2 which help to keep a group focused on the positive things about a given book, rather than getting bogged down in negativity.
1. Make positive comments first. Try to express what you liked about the book and why. (e.g. "The illustrations are a perfect match for the story because....")
2. Try to express difficulties you had with a particular aspect of the book as questions, rather than declarative judgments on the book as a whole. (e.g. "Would Max's dinner really have still been warm?" rather than "That would never happen.")
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A big theme at my school for September is apples. I have the oldies but goodies. Is there anything new and exciting that you have come across or purchased for your schools?
Also, I follow Sarah and Laura on Twitter, Cathy are you on Twitter? I am capecodlibrary.
Can't wait to chat about nonfictin books! Thanks for the invite.
I'm excited about this group. Thanks for organizing it, Sarah!I have 2 Twitter accounts:
cppotter
nonfictiondetec
I use the cppotter account the most.
I'm half of The Nonfiction Detectives blogging duo.
Hello! I'm looking forward to reading along with the group. I'm a new school librarian and I'm doing my best to read as much as I can. I think Laura's suggestions for discussion are great. I also appreciate knowing what is unique about a work.
I'm also on twitter! I am laurajspangler.
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What would we like to read or discuss for our first month?
Kim, to answer your earlier question: One new nonfiction book in at my library is Star of the Sea by Janet Halfmann. I'm also excited to be getting some new National Geographic reader titles in when I place my next order as well as some books in the "You Wouldn't Want to Be" series.
I really like the idea of each of us reading around a theme and sharing titles/recommendations.Perhaps we could have a monthly(?) "group read" selection as well - so we have a common title to discuss.
Nonfiction is probably my biggest weakness as a reader. I just don't read very much, so I'm cool with whatever we decide. Looking forward to great discussion.
Kim wrote: "A big theme at my school for September is apples. I have the oldies but goodies. Is there anything new and exciting that you have come across or purchased for your schools?"I thought of fiction right away (I do really need to read more nonfic!)
One Green Apple by Bunting is a really good realistic fiction picture book http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35...
Colby wrote: "Nonfiction is probably my biggest weakness as a reader."Mine too. I'm really looking forward to pushing myself on that a bit.
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When September hits, I'll start a discussion thread for Kakapo. Should there be a separate thread for other animal books we read or should we intersperse those with the Kakapo discussion?
Works for me. I just put a hold at the library for Kakapo Rescue.
Sarah wrote: "Should there be a separate thread for other animal books we read or should we intersperse those with the Kakapo discussion? "I lean toward a separate thread... but can easily be convinced otherwise.
Do you want to start an emergent reader thread for the rest of August?
Or save that topic for later?
I also ordered Kakapo Rescue and Star of the Sea is great for the Cape, thanks.
I also reserved Kakapo Rescue but my public library doesn't have Star of the Sea. And I've never actually read any of the "You Wouldn't Want to Be" books so I chose a few of those too just to see what they're all about. I love the animal idea! I'm glad to have a bit of direction to my nonfiction reading.
Added Star of the Sea and a couple "You Wouldn't Want to Be" books to the library hold list. Can't wait to read You Wouldn't Want to Be a Chicago Gangster!
I loved Kakapo Rescue, because I am in a K-3 school I don't think I would purchase it but at the middle school level I think it would be great. In my next life I would like to come back as Nic Bishop, his photography is amazing!!
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I liked the author study idea that Cathy mentioned on Twitter. At some point I would love to do something like WWII, The Great Depression, or the Civil Rights Movement.
I like Cathy's author focus idea and Colby's eras of history idea. That would make a few months of topics right there. How about biographies for some month?Other authors for a focus? Freedman?
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October - Megan McCarthy (just looked her up on Cathy's suggestion and see a bunch I'd love to read)
November - History Topic (any that Colby listed are interesting to me. I'd also at some point be interested in US Civil War with the 150th anniversary going on but I might geek out a bit too much on that). Anyone else want to weigh in on the history?
Two of Meghan McCarthy's books I have in my library are the Bubble Gum and Charles Atlas and I would recommend both of those.Kim
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Laura brought it to my attention that until October 15, it is Hispanic Heritage Month.
So I am modifying this (and we can change/add to it as well. Maybe some of the histories could get paired with other things. I am brainstorming).
October - Megan McCarthy/Hispanic Heritage
November - World War II
December - Civil War
January - Civil Rights
Love this list! I discovered and really enjoyed McCarthy's work this summer. Lots of fun and really accessible for younger elementary students. I'm looking forward to our comments
Also, does anyone have some good guidelines for book discussions?