Young Adult Nonfiction

Gateway to the Common Core

Edited by Judith A. Hayn, Jeffrey S. Kaplan, Amanda L. Nolen, Heather A. Olvey

Publication date:

19 November 2015

Length of book:

154 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Dimensions:

235x160mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781475812961

No matter the location, schools are guided by standards, including Common Core State Standards. This collection of contributions by some of the country’s leading literacy experts offers practical suggestions for implementing young adult literature to meet the demand that standards mandate for focusing on nonfiction in teaching literacy. The challenges to CCSS abound, and teachers who are currently seeking avenues to reach their students no matter what content they teach will find the strategies and suggestions useful. The text advocates using young adult literature to accomplish content area literacy and is intended as a primer for those who are building curriculum.

Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1
Content Area Literacy and Young Adult Literature: Examining the Possibilities
Judith A. Hayn and Heather A. Olvey

Chapter 2
An Integrated Curricular Vision: Building Content Knowledge through Textual Connections, Close Reading, and Research Strategies
Rachel L. Wadham

Chapter 3
Integrating Knowledge and Ideas: Bringing YA Historical Fiction to Life with Informational Texts
Melanie K. Hundley, Steven T. Bickmore, Paul E. Binford, and Jacqueline Bach

Chapter 4
Analyzing and Integrating: YA Science Books that Foster Interdisciplinary Connections
Kelly B. Bull

Chapter 5
Problem Posing and Problem Solving: Using YA Literature to Develop Mathematical Understandings and Make Mathematical Connections
Trena L. Wilkerson, James M. Fetterly, and Betty K. Wood

Chapter 6
Interdisciplinary Opportunities with YA Literature and the Common Core: An Exploration of the Black Freedom Struggle
Susan L. Groenke, and Robert Prickett

Chapter 7
Graphic Texts as a Catalyst for Content Knowledge and Common Core Content Literacy Standards in STEM Classes
Karina R. Clemmons and Heather A. Olvey

Chapter 8
Annotated Resources for the Classroom Teacher
Judith A. Hayn, Kent Layton, and Heather A. Olvey

About the Contributors

A casual observer might dismiss this as an ordinary annotated bibliography, but it would be a mistake for librarians to bypass this guide to integrating nonfiction into middle- and high-school education. Part of the volume is bibliography, but the essays also suggest lessons and activities to accompany the highlighted works. This volume is meant to enhance teaching in language arts, social studies, and even science and mathematics. A chapter on collaboration between language arts and science teachers through nonfiction literature suggests numerous titles that integrate genetics, evolution, ecology, and epidemiology ... Another section suggests supplementing informational texts with historical fiction to enhance comprehension of history. Two particularly interesting components are a chapter on using graphic nonfiction to fortify STEM classes and another on using nonfiction to reinforce math vocabulary through stories. Following the articles is a bibliography of sources cited and additional works. More nonfiction selections sorted by discipline precede the detailed index. This is an essential addition to the professional collection in any middle or high school concerned with broadening student perspectives (or thorough implementation of the Common Core State Standards.)