A Place for Wonder: Reading and Writing Nonfiction in the Primary GradesIn A Place for Wonder, Georgia Heard and Jennifer McDonough discuss how to create "a landscape of wonder," a primary classroom where curiosity, creativity, and exploration are encouraged. For it is these characteristics, the authors write, that develop intelligent, inquiring, life-long learners. The authors' research shows that many primary grade state standards encourage teaching for understanding, critical thinking, creativity, and question asking, and promote the development of children who have the attributes of inventiveness, curiosity, engagement, imagination, and creativity. With these goals in mind, Georgia and Jennifer provide teachers with numerous, practical ways--setting up "wonder centers," gathering data though senses, teaching nonfiction craft--they can create a classroom environment where student's questions and observations are part of daily work. They also present a step-by-step guide to planning a nonfiction reading and writing unit of study--creating a nonfiction book, which includes creating a table of contents, writing focused chapters, using "wow" words, and developing point of view. A Place for Wonder will help teachers reclaim their classrooms as a place where true learning is the norm. |
Contents
Creating a Wonder World Centers Projects and Clubs | 7 |
Nonfiction Writing from the Heart | 57 |
Nonfiction Research Wonder Writing | 79 |
Appendix | 155 |
Resources | 169 |
Bibliography | 175 |
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Common terms and phrases
banyan tree Boston Caterpillar Mystery Book Chapter Three chart child classroom library Creating a Wonder curiosity diagram dinosaurs discovery table discuss exploring questions Figure geckos Georgia Heard Grades by Georgia HarperCollins Heard and Jennifer heart wonders hermit crabs ideas index cards Jamie Jamie Lee Curtis Jen asked Jen held Jen told Jen wrote Jen's Reflection Jennifer McDonough kids kindergarten Kingfisher learned listening walk Louie Magic School Bus mini-lesson natural world nonfiction books nonfiction pieces Nonfiction Research Wonder Nonfiction Writing noticed observation window pile Place for Wonder planning sheet Primary Grades Rachel Carson reader Reading and Writing reread Research Wonder Writing Resource Materials Seen Bugs share Small Square sticky notes table of contents talk teachers things thought topic William Zinsser wonder boxes wonder center wonder club Wonder World wow words Writing A Place writing workshop York