While reading fiction has tremendous benefits for students, Walt Gardner suggests that nonfiction reading ought to serve a vital role in English classrooms as well. The Common Core State Standards place a large emphasis on nonfiction, much to the chagrin of some English teachers, but Gardner argues that this emphasis serves to both inspire students and prepare them for adulthood.
At the Common Core blog, Barbara Davidson reminds that the Common Core State Standards’ emphasis on nonfiction need not mean that teachers excise great literary works from their curricula. Instead, she writes, teachers should use the opportunity to expand their repertoire and use literary nonfiction texts and narratives to engage students. Nonfiction does not have to be informational texts filled with technical language and graphs and charts.
One such … Read more »
Distinguished scholar-teachers Amy and Leon Kass demonstrate how short stories, speeches, and songs can be used to enhance civic education and how a pedagogical approach that stresses learning through inquiry can make primary sources come alive for students of all ages.
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“What a wonderful collection of American songs, speeches, and stories. It should be valuable for teachers, students, parents, and readers of all kinds.”
— Diane Ravitch