Renaissance Reading Tip #2: How to boost nonfiction reading

For nearly a decade, there has been a call for students to read more nonfiction. Many standards and frameworks recommend students read between 50–70% nonfiction, but today’s students only read about half that (20–26%).1

Your students need your help to increase their nonfiction reading.

Read nonfiction aloud.
The magic of reading aloud isn’t limited to fiction—nonfiction can be just as entrancing when read aloud. Plus, reading nonfiction aloud is a great way introduce students to new academic vocabulary. You can model the pronunciation of words students may have never heard before, pausing as needed to explain new terms or concepts as you go along.  Look for titles on topics that match your students’ interests—and don’t be afraid to look several grades higher or lower, as students can often understand more complex text when it’s read aloud than when they read independently.

Focus on visuals.
Informational texts are often filled with graphs, charts, maps, diagrams, and other information-heavy visuals. Taking the time to dig into text features and reveal all the interesting information they share can make reading nonfiction much more engaging for students.

You can use any nonfiction text—even a science textbook—for this activity. Use a projector or smartboard to display a visually heavy informational text for a small group or classroom. Ask students what they think the main idea or theme is using only the visuals, then read the article as a group and have students discuss how the visuals support or enrich the text.

Connect to real life.
Students who read about something that pertains to their lives pay more attention and begin to develop a greater love for informational texts.  Encourage students to find nonfiction books and articles on topics that relate to their daily lives or personal interests.