Add These Teacher Tested Kid Approved Texts to Your Nonfiction Collections! #IMWAYR #Booklove

Many elementary classrooms are in the midst of nonfiction units of study. I am always on the lookout for new read aloud and mentor text titles to share. Here are a few that have been huge hits this fall:

The Truth About Butterflies is a favorite as a mentor text. Students love the graphic structure Maxwell Eaton uses in this text. There are diagrams, speech bubbles, procedural charts, captions, and graphs. Many read it to learn about butterflies and then used it as writers to elaborate their texts. You will want multiple copies of this text so multiple students can access it and study it as they draft.

Curious Comparisons is a book that you won’t want to put down. I cannot wait to experience this text in classrooms without social distancing. I envision book clubs pouring over this text together - flipping pages, asking questions, and making connections. The word curious is perfect in the title as this text promotes inquiry and sparks research ideas. I was lucky enough to share this text with a few book clubs virtually. If you are looking for a text that will engage your readers and get them talking — try this one.

A Polar Bear in the Snow is a book you will want to read again and again. The illustrations are so clever and appealing. I virtually read this book aloud to several kindergarten classes and they loved it. I had many requests to reread, flip back, and zoom in on certain pages. I also used this text in research book clubs in grades 2-5. For some groups, it sparked an interest in research and for others, it served as a mentor text for narrative nonfiction.

Your Place in the Universe is so cool! I read this text aloud in grades 3-5 classrooms and students were practically coming through the screen! The text structure, features, and use of comparative language make it perfect for reading aloud, using to model in lessons, and for students to study as a mentor. Book clubs wanted to discuss the big idea in the text and analyze how the author brought it to life throughout the text. This is a text you will want multiple copies of in your classroom library and bookroom.

What nonfiction titles have been hits with your students this fall?