The Reading Principle and

Literature

Using Non-Fiction to Support

Literacy
About us…
Auckland
Service
Centre

420, 000
students

26,000
schools

1100 school
 Non-Fiction?
Dead Boring

Items that contain factual information

(Kapiti Coast District Libraries)

OR
The very best non-fiction should convey a
sense of wonder and excitement and
engender a thirst for finding out more.
(Sue Understead. Books for keeps, 2003)
 Favourite Non-Fiction Book

• Discuss your favourite non-fiction book either from

childhood or maybe a book you love to use in your class.
 Reading & writing standards

• …students need to be able to use their reading and writing

as interactive tools to meet specific learning purposes
across the curriculum. This means that students read and
write texts in ways that help them organise their thinking,
construct and create meaning, communicate information
and ideas in print and electronic texts, and reveal their
developing knowledge of content across the curriculum.

• The New Zealand Curriculum; Reading and writing standards for years 1-8, 2009, p 5
What is Non-Fiction? Your ideas…
Almanac
Autobiography
Biography
Types of Non-fiction
Blueprint
Book report
Creative nonfiction
Design document
Diagram
Diary
Dictionary
Nonfiction films (e.g. documentaries)
Encyclopedia
Essay
History
Journal
Journalism
Letter
Literary criticism
Memoir
Natural history
Philosophy
Photograph
Science book
Scientific paper
Statute
Textbook
Travelogue
User manual Wikipedia; Non-fiction, 2010
 Dewey system – being lateral
•000 Generalities 

•100 Philosophy and Psychology

•200 Religion

•300 Social Science

•400 Language

•500 Natural Science and Mathematics

•600 Technology (Applied Sciences)

•700 Arts

•800 Literature

•900 Geography and History

 Sites explaining Dewey

• "Do We" Really Know Dewey?

http://library.thinkquest.org/5002/index.shtml

• OCLC Dewey

http://www.oclc.org/dewey/resources/tour/default.htm
 Resources for supporting literacy
Letter Writing Speeches & Persuasive Variety of
Debates Writing Prose Writing
 Resources for supporting literacy
Procedual Reports Persuasive
 Why use Non-Fiction?

• Recreational reading
• “Faction”
• Satisfies and broadens curiosity
• Provides for depth and breadth of information
• Provides models for concise writing
• Challenges readers to read critically (attributes)
– Format; Questions; Layout of information
• Photo Essays
 Why use Non-Fiction?
• Read aloud
• BOYS! But don’t forget girls
• Prefer fact to fiction
• Expands vocabulary – Narrative
1st person recount
• Diary format / Quotation Index
• Logical organisation of facts
• Introducing a topic
• Citations
 Attributes of good Non-Fiction

• Authority & Respect

• Accuracy & Clarity
• Literary Style
• Timeliness & Copyright

“Clear prose that engages the reader,

stirs the imagination, and awakens the
mind, is every bit as important in works
of non-fiction as it is in fiction.”
Kathleen T. Horning
 Attributes of good Non-Fiction

• Design & Format

• Supportive ancillary material
- Is it useful?
• Tools
• Illustrations
• Documentation of sources

“The best informational books are written by authors

who know their subjects well, and who write about
them imaginatively, with an understanding of the
needs and limitations of their audience.”
Zena Sutherland
 Exercise - Attributes

• Working in small groups…

• Select one resource that you feel reflects each attribute

• Note the title and give a reason for your selection

 Exercise – Inside a non-fiction book

• Working in small groups

• List tools used in this book that you could point out to your
students

• Why are they useful?

Inside a Non-Fiction Book
 Internet / databases / online resources

• http://www.natlib.govt.nz/
• Discover
• Matapihi
• Timeframes
• Papers Past
• Epic Opposing Viewpoints
• Etc……
Kids talk about Bullying….

To Learn More:
• At the library
• On the Web www.facthound.com

Hero File:
• Sir Ranulph Fiennes (use google)
 Exercise – Why use non-fiction
In a group discuss
Why use Non-Fiction?

What types of non-fiction can be used in the classroom?

In what ways does non-fiction appeal to your students?

What skills does using non-fiction develop?

Let’s explore how we can use non-fiction differently in the class…

Print & IT Integration
Video
Thank you, come again!

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Enjoy and promote Non-Fiction!