The Missouri Reader Vol. 36, Issue 1 | Page 36

INCREASING EXPOSURE TO NONFICTION THROUGH
BOOK TALKS FOR FOURTH GRADERS
Miranda Snowden

ver the years educators have noticed a
pattern developing in fourth grade. According to
Smith (2003), when students reach fourth grade
the required reading becomes more difficult due
to the shift in reading for enjoyment to more
emphasis placed on reading for information.
Smith referred to this period as ―the fourth grade
slump‖ (p. 3). Prior to fourth grade, the reading
is primarily focused on narrative fiction text.
Narrative fiction text is used when students first
learn to read because of the story-like nature of
the books. Following the familiar story pattern of
setting, character development, and plot make
narrative text a successful instruction tool for
teachers and students (Akhondi, Faramarz,
Arshad, Faramarz, & Arshad, 2011). A solution
to the imbalance between fiction and nonfiction is
to increase nonfiction exposure.
Teachers need to spend more time pairing
fiction and nonfiction text and introducing
expository reading strategies to students (Camp,
2000; Smith, 2003). Smith states ―In order for
students to learn the skills necessary to read,
analyze, and write expository examples, they
must be equipped with reading strategies to
construct meaning from the text‖ (p. 3). Freeman
and Person (1992) explain the main purpose of
nonfiction is ―to inform, instruct, and hopefully
enlighten‖ (p. 3), and nonfiction serves a
functional purpose in ―helping children and young
people complete their reports, research, and
homework assignments‖ (p. 27). Hasan (2000)
believes:

We are living
in the
Information
Age and
technology has
made a huge
impact on our
lives. No
longer is it
viable for
students to
learn information by heart. Instead in
Miranda Snowden became a teacher
because it’s one of her greatest passions
to simply love on kids. Her desire is to
create relationships with her students
and watch them grow into better
people. She is currently in her fifth year
of teaching fourth grade. Miranda
graduated from College of the Ozarks
with a degree in Elementary Education
and has a Masters of Reading Degree:
Reading Specialist Certification from
Missouri State University. She loves…
Jesus, her wonderful husband Slade
(who is also and elementary teacher),
spending time with family and friends,
teaching, baking, spending time in the
great outdoors, and getting lost in a
good book.
schools we are called or urged to give
© The Missouri Reader, 36 (1) p.36