Genre: Procedural

Procedural texts are "how to" books.  There is a sequence of instructions to walk you through the steps needed to complete a task.  Examples of procedural texts can be instructions on how to build a shelf, directions for a board game and even how to create a recipe.  Classic examples of where these types of text are used is in PE class to explain a new game or in Science to execute an experiment.  Procedural texts are important because students need to follow written multi-step directions.  Usually, these books are accompanied by picture clues or illustrations to help with each step.  Quality features to look for when choosing a procedural text are: accessibility, appropriateness and text type. 

Teacher Pick:

Watt, F. (2009). 50 things to make and do. Tulsa: Usborne.

Grade Equivalent: 2.5
Complexity Band: 2-3

This would be a great teacher reference tool.  It is a small book but filled with 50 ideas for crafts.  Features include a table of contents in the front and glossary in the back for a quick reference.  Other helpful features include a full page image of the completed project on one side of the page and the other page is step by step instructions with an illustration at each step.  The directions are very clear and concise and all crafts can be done in 8 or less steps; making these projects easy to implement in the classroom.  This reference book would be a little too complex for students to do on their own.  This would be great for lower elementary whole class projects.  I see this being beneficial for holiday and seasonal lessons.



Student Pick:

 Gaydos, N. (2003). Simply science. Norwalk: Innovative KIDS.

No Lexile found, Book suggests Ages 4-7
Complexity Band: 2-3

This is a very unique book due to the very small size and pull out books inside.  Each page is a clear slip cover with a smaller book in it.  The smaller books talk about the concept first and then in the back there is a simple experiment with step by step instructions.  This book states it is suited for ages 4-7 but I think ages 6-10 is more appropriate.  There are some challenging vocabulary words but with the high interest topics and step by step instructions it can be used for a wide range of students.  Some text features include, bolded words, numeric symbols for easy procedural directions, stickers inside, a parent guide and the book dimensions also make the book more approachable for students.  I think this book would be a great way to overlap Reading and Science.  Students could pair up and execute the experiments after reading them out loud as a whole class.  This book would also be a great individual student project as well.  The stickers inside are a reward when a student has read and completed the experiment.  This is a great way to promote reading, while the experiments encourage higher order thinking skills.  A great find for your classroom or home library.

Genre: Atlas

An atlas is a reference book filled with maps.  Additional supplementary features such as charts, graphs and photographs can help illustrate map concepts. Teaching with atlases in the classroom promotes problem solving skills, introduces students to directional vocabulary used in daily life, builds on the sense of space/distance and is a great way to integrate curriculum.  The idea of a map is very abstract, so young students may struggle with the concept.  Students can be introduced to children's atlas's to learn basic knowledge of keys and directional vocabulary.  Grades 4 and up are able to maneuver atlas's independently or in small groups.  The variety of atlases available; make it easy to incorporate into the classroom.  Historical maps create a clearer image of battle grounds and early settlements; a perfect compliment for any Social Studies class.  Online versions of atlases are also available.  These versions add more up to date detail as well as building geographic skills with interactive games.  Features of quality atlases are: recommended publishers, accuracy and accessibility for students.

My Favorite Picks:

Wallace, H. (2009). World picture atlas. Mankato, Minn.: QEB Pub.

No Lexile found, estimated approximately 770
Complexity Band: 4-5

This picture atlas is filled with animals, cities and people of the different regions.  It is unique in not only showing a map of the region by actual photos of the cities in the region, but the animals and people that are common in the region. An added touch that might draw students attention is: for each region they give an example of a catch phrase that is popular.  This book could be used for second graders with direction from educator. The first few pages explain the layout of the book and how to use it.  While reading about the geographic locations there are bolded words.  The bolded words can be found in the glossary in the back of the book.  This would be a great value to a Social Studies or Geography lesson; students seeing faces of people from other countries will make them easier to connect to.

This unique atlas shows us maps of the ocean floor.  The book is filled with full page illustrations of the bodies of water and species found within those bodies of water.  To aid in learning there are diagrams that go along with the authentic photographs.  The book starts out giving the history of where oceans come from, explanation on why we need a compass and how to read one.  Students will love the fun facts added to every page.  Due to the complexity of understanding the ocean floor, this atlas is suited for Grades 6 and above.  This text would compliment a Science unit on ocean life or even play a role in a Social Studies lesson on how to use a compass.  I really like the uniqueness of the types of maps this atlas contains.  A great way for students to see how diverse maps can be.

 Scholastic atlas of oceans. (2004). New York, NY: Scholastic Reference.
 Grade Equivalent: 7.8
 Complexity Band: 6-8