The Missouri Reader Vol. 36, Issue 2 | Page 9

capitalize on children’s interest and lead them to be more purposeful and active readers” (p. 411). outside of their own realm and expands horizons” (Harvey, 1998, p. 87). Benefits of Integrating Nonfiction in Early Elementary Exposing students to nonfiction at an early age will not only teach students how to best process informational texts they encounter, but can also help students construct background knowledge and strengthen vocabulary, prepare them for what lies ahead in their schooling, provide support during standardized test taking, improve writing skills, and has the power to motivate and captivate. To prepare for later schooling Sanacore and Palumbo (2009) discuss a phenomenon that occurs in the f