English teachers can incorporate more non-fiction texts into their curriculum by selecting readings on topics that relate to multiple subject areas, exposing students to a variety of genres and topics. This will help prepare students for the future where 90% of reading material will be informational. Teachers should provide direct instruction on non-fiction text structures and comprehension strategies to help students understand this genre. Incorporating non-fiction across the curriculum can reinforce learning and be the basis for further research on its effectiveness.

2. Question
How can English teachers incorporate non-
fiction selections that intertwine horizontally
aligned subjects so students will a read a
variety of genres and topics to reach a more
diverse population all-the-while further
receiving additional exposure to learning
opportunities?

3. • “In the future, it is projected that 90 percent
of what children read in will be informational
text. Thus, now more than ever, children need
to be exposed, even immersed, in reading
informational literature and learning how to
use and understand this genre fully”
(Vardell, pg. 260).

4. • Why did you pick this topic? English teachers at the
secondary level do not incorporate enough
nonfiction
• Why is it important to you? Watching student
struggle
• Methodology-Reading Library and TWU databases

5. Research
• What did you learn from the articles? Nonfiction
is limited, students aren’t familiar with the text
structure
• What did you learn from all of your other
readings?
• Everyone struggles with some form of reading.
Students need to be taught structure and format
of genre. Fine-tuning aesthetic vs efferent stance.
• A synthesis of your findings.

6. Implications
• What are the implications of your findings to
research and practice?
• Teachers need to: be knowledgeable of
vertical curriculum, text structure,
comprehension strategies and aware of
students’ interests.

7. Practicum
• Discuss your practicum
• What worked, what you would change
• Preparation, length of article, expectations
• Scale
questions, video, articles, books, technology, v
ocabulary

8. Conclusions
• Conclusions based on practicum and readings
• Closing thoughts
• ELA teachers can incorporate non-fiction
based around vertical curriculum to reinforce
learning and continue to apply traditional
literary elements. This strategy can eventually
be a researched-base study.

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