Reflection #4

Harvey

In "Nonfiction Inquiry:  Using Real Reading and Writing to Explore the World", Harvey talks about the importance of questioning and curiosity in students' classroom lives.  She says that one of the best ways to encourage students' curiosity is to incorporate non-fiction reading into the classroom.  The real world is an interesting place that can include infinite possibilities for topics and interests.  A majority of the reading that people do outside of the classroom is non-fiction (magazines, newspapers, etc.), so there is a large disconnect between classroom and real life when non-fiction reading is not a part of curriculum and discussion.  Non-fiction in her eyes leads to passionate curiosity and, in turn, engagement in material.  In science, most of the reading that we do is non-fiction.  I am a huge advocate for providing my students with connections and context for material and non-fiction reading is a great way to do that.