How to Use Authentic Literature in the Classroom: Some

Constructive Suggestions

Michele Ben, Amanda Caplan and Mitzi Geffen

Share a Sentence

1. Choose a book.

2. 20 – 25 minutes of silent reading in a circle.

3. Choose one sentence which shows something about the book.

4. Place an empty chair in the centre of the circle.

5. In turn, each student shows his/her book to the class and reads the chosen sentence.

6. If the student chooses to put his/her book on the chair, another student may choose to borrow it.

Share a Paragraph

1. Students choose one paragraph of their book to share with the class.

2. They practice until they can read it perfectly and with expression.

3. Each day, 3 – 5 students present their paragraph to the class, until everyone has had a turn.

Share a Scene

1. The class is divided into groups of 4 students.

2. Each student briefly tells the group the plot of their book.

3. The group chooses one story to present.

4. Choose a short scene in the book, to present.

5. The students copy the scene, choose parts and practice for about 20 minutes.

6. Each group then presents its scene to the class.

Ideas for Non-Readers

Show the pupils what they can do,

not what they can't ! 1. Find the names of the characters.

2. Count the number of times the word 'the' appears on a page.

3. Look for capital letters

4. Take a (familiar) story and write it in your own words using the pictures to help you.

Teaching LanguageBookStructure

If you give a pig a pancakeLaura Numeroff

First Conditionals

I love you, MouseJohn Graham

Second Conditionals

Amelia Bedelia Peggy Parish

Phrasal Verbs

My Many Colored DaysDr. Seuss

Colours

Children’s Literature Unit

1. Read a young children's book out loud to the whole class.

2. Divide class into groups of 3-4.

3. After each group has read at least 6 books, discuss what these books have in common.

4. Tell the class that they are going to write a book! The instructions are on the student worksheet.

5. Group reading of their own stories.

The Dreaded Book Report1. 50% grade is for bringing the book to SSR.

2. 10% title and author.

3. 20% - basic questions about the character, location, beginning or end of book.

4. 20% English – grammar, spelling, punctuation etc

Most pupils get high grades, so they are motivated to read the next book, and the next and the next….