HIGH INTEREST NONFICTION

Jeff SchreiberGermantown High School

WEMTA 2013

Goals for today Define the idea of high

interest nonfiction Discuss the rationale for

using it and focusing on it How I have used it Strategies for promotion,

ordering

What is high interest nonfiction? Other names: narrative nonfiction, creative

nonfiction, literary nonfiction, long-form journalism, fact-based storytelling

Something that reads like fiction, but is nonfiction

Has the ability to teach while telling a story Informative, yet entertaining Reality vs. phoniness Can be extended

Why focus on HI nonfiction? Common Core skills By 12th grade 70% will be informational text Text complexity Mirror of fiction skills (plot, character, theme, etc) Decoding to comprehension(analysis, inference,

synthesis) Coverage across disciplines in one book! Argument, evidence, critical thinking, reflection Focus on craft or writing style

Analysis: Physical Space How many nonfiction books do I have on

display? How is my access to nonfiction

sections? Do I have any promotions for nonficiton? Would I be moved to browse in the

nonfiction sections? How are my nonfiction sections labeled?

Analysis: Nonfiction CollectionDoing some digging!

Look up % of fiction vs nonfiction Look up age of collection Analyze Dewey for strong areas and

areas of most use

Destiny Data: Age/Circs/Copies

Analysis: 2008-2013

Year Average Age Items in nonfiction Total Items2008 1990 10,121 19,107

2013 2000 7,353 13,370

Analysis: Audience What are your student demographics? What is your school known for? What about the location/town of school? What are curriculum strengths? Dialog with kids about personal interests

Develop a comprehensive plan How much of the collection do you want

nonfiction Book length – I found 300 pages or so to

be a “magic” number What subject areas need work—prioritize! What are your strengths/weaknesses? Weeding What are the “sacred cows” of the teachers 30-40 % of orders nonficiton

Where do I get my ideas for ordering? Nonfiction- You have to work for it—there

really are few “lists” to use Avid reader of newspapers Booklist NY Times and NY Times Book Reviews Best Seller Lists Walking through Barnes and Nobles Read a variety of magazines Listen to NPR

Titlewave Data: Ordering

Titlewave Data: Ordering

Strategies – involve teachers! Have “staff experts” in fields that you

can refer kids to Promote staff choices-shelfari display Teacher book review videos Encourage nonfiction selections to staff

members once you know their interests and subject areas

Strategies – in the classroom Sell the idea of a nonficiton requirement

in both curricular and independent areas Article of week Social activism units Promoting current events discussions in

classrooms Remind them that administrators LOVE

anything with nonfiction!!

Strategies/promotion - kids Creating resource lists that have fiction

and nonfiction “Finding it in Dewey” display Focus on your physical area for

promotion You can’t make this stuff up!! Create

interesting connections (see the TV lists!)

Promotion - display

Promotion- displays

Use your imagination!

Teach Perspective

Tyler Hamilton Lance Armstrong

If you like this—you may like that…….

If you like this—you may like that!

Mistakes? You will make them

Hard to trust pop culture! Death will influence buying

Mistakes can be made!

People embellish Scandal!!

Future issues to consider Dewey Vs Genre Fiction as nonfiction – the Armstrong

issue – Does it matter?