A Look at the Recent Changes in Information Series Books for Primary Grades
by Joyce McCaffrey
December 2, 2003
A Brief History of Informational Series
Essential Elements in Information Books
The Importance of Using Information Books in the Primary Grades
Examples and Comparisons of Primary Information Series Books
The Importance of Using Information Books in Primary Grades
According to Palmer,(Palmer and Stewart 2003) the use of information
books in the primary classrooms is important to children’s reading
development for four reasons.
1. Young children become deeply engaged in informational books and
sometimes prefer them.
2. Reading scholars assert that young children should be exposed to a
variety of text forms including expository text. It is felt that the
fourth grade slump in reading achievement could be lessoned if children
were exposed to expository text in lower grades.
3. Some schools have adopted thematic curricula that use informational
books in content area instruction. Non fiction trade books can
introduce students to new vocabulary and concepts in science and social
studies.
4. Unifying reading, writing, science and social studies through
integrated studies fosters intrinsic motivation and sustains engagement
in literacy.
Bibliography
Palmer, R. G. and R. Stewart (2003). "Nonfiction trade book use in the
primary grades." The Reading Teacher 57(1): 38-48.