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Explain how trade books can enhance content area learning.
ASSIGNED TO:
RED 3393 Differentiated Instruction in Reading
Trade books offers unique and specific access to the essential components of reading instruction.
It is said that students who read daily, both in and out of school, have higher
reading scores than students who read less.
The more students read, the better their vocabulary. Giving students the
opportunity to choose from a wide selection of reading materials
develops the joy of reading.
It is said that students who read daily, both in and out of school, have higher
reading scores than students who read less.
The more students read, the better their vocabulary. Giving students the
opportunity to choose from a wide selection of reading materials
develops the joy of reading.
Trade books are very important to enhance the learning process of the material. When I was in the 4th grade we studied the Holocaust. On top of the textbook information, my teacher assigned us to read "Number the stars". This book was about a young girl that learns to be brave to help her Jewish friend and the struggles they went through together. I absolutely hated learning about the Holocaust but this book opened up the information for me and the history of what happened without the horrific details that I would later learn about. I felt like I was in the story with the main characters and going through what they went through so it helped me to understand how they possibly felt during that time. I am an adult now but I still remember the book and what I felt when I read it. I do not, however, remember the textbook information. Trade books assist students in many ways that other methods do not and will help the information stay with the students for a longer period of time.
Julianne, it looks like you were able to experience Aesthetic reading versus Efferent reading. This is a powerful tool we can use as educators because while students may not enjoy being told about a historical event, they can be easily drawn in by a personal story or anecdote centered around that event. As they focus on getting into the character's world, they will naturally learn of the events that took place as well as the experiences and hardships that had to be endured (i.e. the case of "Number the Stars"). That was an excellent point you made.
Trade books are a great way to enhance learning. Often times, students are not interested in the text books or have not learned how to effectively read text books in order to get the most out of them. This is where trade books come into play. If a teacher takes the time to find trade books that correlate with what is being taught then the students might have the chance of becoming interested. Students will become more engaged in the reading assignment with trade books and this will in turn help build vocabulary as well as fluency in reading. I think trade books are a great resource for teachers.
Julianne, the same thing happened to me. Learning about the Holocaust was very difficult but you get a better understanding of how strong the survivors are when you read a story rather than the text books. It is a very hard topic to teach so it is good that teachers have other options to make it more relatable.
A trade book is normally a book published to tell a story, rather than to teach a skill. Trade books offer students a variety of interesting and relevant experiences with text and can be used effectively to enhance content learning. Research suggests that students grow in a variety of ways when they are given opportunities to engage in response-based activities. Writing connections, process drama, readers theater, and idea circles are ways to foster student's response to trade books and connect to the story's lesson.
I think if more teachers incorporated the use of trade books within their lessons, they would find that students would better retain the information and would further elaborate on their relative experiences. The use of trade books, like in Julianne's class, would make connections to the content much easier to understand and grasp for the students. Once students can relate themselves to a story based on a general concept, they can easily respond on not only a sideline perspective but as well as personal.
I believe that a combination of both text and trade books would be the most effective way to relay a required set of information to students. I know that text books can be tedious and sometimes hard to understand. But if used by teachers during a read aloud, the teacher can use guiding questions to help students identify the important information within the text. Trade books on the other hand are great for capturing the students attention. These will engage the students and are great for home learning reading assignments. Through trade books students can immerse themselves in a specific era, a distinct surrounding or receive a unique perspective through the characters in the book. Also, is students are interested in the book they will be more likely to read more often. More reading will translate into better grades.I think If more teachers used both types of books in there classrooms they would see that the students would learn to use text books properly and how trade books can enhance a lesson.
In response to De Arce: I agree with your comment. Students who read more often for pleasure will have higher reading scores and a better vocabulary than students how read less. Trade books that capture the students attention will encourage students to do just that; read. While doing so, they can develop a life long love of reading.
When a student reads a textbook all they are getting information wise is the bare minimum. Textbooks just scratch the surface when it comes to a subject area, tradebooks on the other hand can provide students with a much deeper understanding because they are more in depth. In a classroom I believe that the teacher should use bunch trade books and text books in order to provide the students with the most comprehensive understanding possible.
Like many others, I too agree that the best way for students to gain knowledge of all the information out there available to them is by infusing both textbooks and trade books into the classroom. Textbooks contain information but its not as complex as the information one would find in trade books. Trade books also tend to be more interesting to students and that allows students to pick up information much quicker because they are consumed in what they are reading.
I definitely agree with Lanfear. M, that using both trade and text books is the most effective way in which to relay information to students. I've always been one of those students that had trouble reading a text book and comprehending right after, and I too really like that trade books capture students attention.
Trade books can enhance content area learning because trade books are usually more interesting. When a book is interesting students will read and hopefully understand the text better. I think that both should be used because both can be useful, however, trade books offer essential components of reading instruction and are more interesting. By reading an interesting book, you will probably enjoy the read. Giving students the opportunity to choose from a selection of interesting reading materials develops the joy of reading, and when you develop a joy for reading you will be more tolerant to textbooks and boring reads. Reading also enhances vocabulary, spelling and writing skills.
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