5 Types of Nonfiction Your Classroom Needs: Beyond the All-About Book w/ Melissa Stewart

Are you ready to transform your students' relationship with nonfiction? In this episode of Picture This, join host Adam Lehrhaupt and celebrated author Melissa Stewart as they introduce a game-changing framework for understanding nonfiction literature.

Melissa, who has written over 200 books for kids, shares her groundbreaking concept of Five Kinds of Nonfiction. You'll discover how to identify each category and, more importantly, how to use them to create powerful lessons and engage even the most reluctant readers.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The 5 types of nonfiction, including narrative, browsable, and expository literature.
• Why these categories are a game-changer for lesson planning.
• How to use different nonfiction types as a "menu" to hook students based on their unique interests.
• A "golden age" for children’s nonfiction and why you should be part of it.
• The "idea incubator"—a simple, powerful tool to help students find their passion and make research fun.

Featured Book:
Mega Predators of the Past by Melissa Stewart, a book that deconstructs the five-paragraph essay and proves that informational writing can be both engaging and fun.

Resources Mentioned:
Melissa Stewart’s website: http://www.melissa-stewart.com
NCTE Nonfiction Position Statement: https://ncte.org/statement/role-of-nonfiction-literature-k-12/

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Chapters
0:00 - Introduction to Picture This & Guest Melissa Stewart
1:44 - 📚 The 5 Kinds of Nonfiction 📚
2:00 - Type 1: Traditional
3:43 - Type 2: Browsable Nonfiction
4:22 - Type 3: Narrative Nonfiction
4:57 - Type 4: Expository Literature
5:36 - Type 5: Active Nonfiction
6:22 - Using the 5 Nonfiction Types in the Classroom
11:34 - Melissa's Advocacy & Unserved Readers
17:41 - The Golden Age of Nonfiction for Kids
18:56 - Tips for Incorporating Expository Literature
23:02 - Adam's Book Bag: Mega Predators of the Past
27:14 - The Idea Incubator 💡
32:15 - Connecting the Idea Jar & The Idea Incubator
34:03 - Final Resources & Wrap-Up

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